Desperation Doughnuts Keep one or two cans of refrigerated biscuit dough on hand. The generic or store brand works very well. Preheat oil in a deep fat fryer or electric fry pan to 425 degrees F. Fill fryer only half full of oil, and make sure that it is back from the edge of the counter and that the cord is to the back so that no one will get burned. Mix some cinnamon and sugar for rolling the doughnuts in. You may also use confectioners' sugar. Open the can of biscuits. Cut with a doughnut cutter to get the hole. If you don't have a doughnut cutter, cut the hole out with a well-washed detergent bottle lid or use a large thimble. Drop a few doughnuts at a time into hot oil, using tongs. Cook doughnut holes, too. Turn once to brown lightly on both sides. Lift out and drain on paper towels. Shake a few at a time in a paper bag to coat or roll in cinnamon-sugar or confectioners' sugar.