The Best Orange Infused Buttermilk Donuts with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

When country artist Kelsey lamb told me she liked donuts, I wanted to go big on flavor. I admit it took several attempts to get the exact texture and flavor combination I wanted. In the end, my hard work paid off. These donut holes may be small, but boy to the hit all the right notes with flavor.

Orange and chocolate are a classic pairing. However, the addition of buttermilk brings these donuts to a whole new level. Buttermilk adds both a richness and a tanginess to these sweet treats. Combining those flavors in a yeast style donut gives you everything you could ever ask for in a dessert.

While you are waiting on these donuts to rise, read our interview with Kelsey Lamb over on Feed the Band. Her interview led me to create one of the best donut recipes I have ever done. You can check out the interview by clicking here.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Orange Infused Buttermilk Donuts with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Rising Time35 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chocolate Sauce, dessert, donuts, Kelsey Lamb, Southern Fellow

Servings: 30 donuts

Author: Patrick L.

Cost: 15

Equipment

• heavy bottom saucepan
• Frying Thermometer
• 1.25-inch donut hole cutter
• heavy heavy bottom pot for frying

Ingredients

Donuts

• 1 tbsp active yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 3 tbsp butter melted
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2½ cup flour
• 3 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp orange zest
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• extra flour

Donut Coating

• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp ground cinnamon

Chocolate Sauce

• ½ cup Nutella
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp orange liquor
• ¼ cup orange juice
• ¾ cup heavy cream

Instructions

Donuts

• Dissolve yeast in the warm water for 5 minutes.
• In a bowl combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
• In a second bowl combine the buttermilk, zest, butter, orange juice, and yeast.
• Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. Do not overmix!
• Flour a surface and then place the dough on top. Fold the dough a few times. Roll the dough out to ½ inch thickness. Using the 1½ inch hole cutter start cutting the dough. Flour a pan and place the donut holes on the floured surface.
• Place the pan in a warm area of your house and let the donut hole rise until they double in size. This should take about 35 minutes.
• In a heavy bottom pot add oil until you get to two inches in depth. Bring to 350 degrees.
• In a bowl combine the cinnamon and sugar.
• place a wire rack in a sheet pan.
• Fry around 6 donuts at a time. Gently rotating them until they are brown on all sides. Place on the wire rack and let cool until you can handle them. Toss in the sugar mixture and return to the rack. Repeat this process until all the donuts are cooked.

Chocolate Sauce

• In a heavy bottom saucepan over low heat add all ingredients. Cook until the chocolate is melted and the sauce comes together.
• Enjoy!

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