Ginger Doughnuts

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 
• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 0.8 cup buttermilk well-shaken
• 2 large eggs 
• 0.3 cup ginger coarsely chopped
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger 
• 1.5 teaspoons salt 
• 1.8 cups sugar 
• 0.3 cup butter unsalted cooled melted
• 12 cups vegetable oil 

Equipment

• food processor
• bowl
• baking sheet
• paper towels
• oven
• whisk
• pot
• kitchen thermometer
• rolling pin

Directions

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together 1 cup sugar and remaining 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger in a shallow bowl.
3. Pulse remaining 3/4 cup sugar with crystallized ginger in a food processor until ginger is finely chopped.
4. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in buttermilk, butter, and eggs until smooth.
5. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir until a dough forms (dough will be sticky).
6. Turn out dough onto a well-floured surface and knead gently just until it comes together, 10 to 12 times, then form into a ball. Lightly dust work surface and dough with flour, then roll out dough into a 13-inch round (about 1/3 inch thick) with a floured rolling pin.
7. Cut out rounds with floured cutter and transfer to a lightly floured baking sheet. Gather scraps and reroll, then cut out additional rounds. (Reroll only once.)
8. Heat oil in a wide 5-quart heavy pot until thermometer registers 375°F. Working in batches of 7 or 8, carefully add rounds, 1 at a time, to oil and fry, turning over once, until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes total per batch. (Return oil to 375°F between batches.)
9. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Cool slightly, then dredge in ginger sugar.
10. Doughnuts can be fried (but not dredged in ginger sugar) 4 hours ahead and cooled completely, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat undredged doughnuts on a baking sheet in a preheated 250°F oven 10 to 15 minutes, then cool slightly and dredge in ginger sugar.