But come on, was hand-firing really that rough? Lots of old jobs were tough, and people did them fine. Maybe we just talk it up too much!

At the county fair last summer, a bag of mini donuts was $8. I don't find it that crazy. They cook them on the spot in a special machine, and you're paying for that hot, fresh taste. The line is always long because people want the real deal. Making them at home never turns out the same, and it's a lot of work. For a treat now and then, the cost makes sense to me.