Mardi Gras Doughnuts

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Oil for deep frying
Confectioners' sugar

Mix the flour, sugar and baking powder together in a bowl. Make a well in the middle and add the milk, eggs, salt and vanilla extract. Beat these together and gradually work on the flour. Roll out on a floured board to about 1/4 inch or a little thinner if preferred. Cut the dough into 2 x 4-inch strips and simply make 3 or 4 slits in the center of each. Fry in deep oil until golden brown. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. These will be firmer than regular doughnuts.

Yield: approximately 18 to 20