dark chocolate cake donuts + blood orange glaze

This is the first post I will write about donuts, but it certainly won't be the last! I'm pretty sure donuts would be in my weekly meal rotation if I wouldn't end up weighing 500 pounds and ruining my health. I try my best to save them for special days when I need a special treat or on the days of the worst emotional eating! Ha!

Believe it or not, these beautiful goodies were used as props in my BFF's Valentine's day mini sessions. She started her own own photography business - Captured Moments Photography - several years ago and I am so proud of her! The business has completely taken off and people are recognizing her talent. She's a small business owner, a momma, a wife, and so many other things and she really excels at it all. I'm lucky to call her my best friend!

These donuts sat out all day long, and smiled pretty for the camera and were still moist and delicious even after all that! The glaze offered a nice crunch that was super nice with the cake-y texture of the donuts, and who can resist a chocolate orange combination? Uh no one that's who! We dug into these after a long day of photographing kids. A perfect ending to a perfect day!

donuts in action - photo by Brooke at Captured Moments Photography

Dark Chocolate Cake Donuts + Blood Orange Glaze

adapted from Heather Christo

For the Donuts

1 1/2 cups flour
½ cup dark cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled

Preheat oven to 325 degrees, and spray a donut pan with nonstick spray.

In a medium size bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients together. 

In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.

Combine the buttermilk mixture with the dry ingredients. Pour the melted oil over the dough and mix to combine. 

Pipe dough into prepared donut pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Immediately remove donuts from pan and cool on wire rack. Meanwhile, make the glaze.

For the Glaze

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup blood orange juice

heavy cream

Mix all ingredients, except heavy cream, in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Add heavy cream a splash at a time until you have the consistency you want. I only used a few splashes since I didn't want the glaze to be too loose.

Dip cooled donuts into glaze and set on a cooling rack to allow glaze to set. 

Eat 'em. Share 'em. Love 'em. :)