Instructions

1. 1
   Combine sugar, salt, shortening, and boiling water in a saucepan. Mix and bring to a rapid boil.
2. 2
   Mix in flour all at once, and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
3. 3
   Cool dough slightly. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add vanilla.
4. 4
   Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a medium-large round tip. Pipe dough into rings on greased parchment paper.
5. 5
   Heat enough fat for deep frying to 375°F (195°C).
6. 6
   Carefully turn parchment paper upside down so crullers will drop into fat. Deep fry until golden brown all over, flipping to cook both sides.
7. 7
   Remove crullers from fat, and place on paper towels to drain and cool.
8. 8
   Ice crullers with thin confectioners' sugar icing.