Method

• Date and Orange Sauce
  Place dates, juice and zest in a pot on the stove, add water as required to just cover the dates.Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, place a tight fitting lid on and cook for around ten minutes or until the dates have softened. Turn off the heat and set aside to cool a little. (around ten minutes lid off) Add the mix to a high speed blender or food processor, along with the vanilla extract and salt. Using the water from the dates add in about ½ cup to start. Blend until smooth adding a little extra warm water as required until you have reached your desired consistency which should be smooth and thin enough to coat a spoon.
• Doughnuts
  1. In the bowl of the stand mixer add the milk and sprinkle the yeast on top, let it sit for five minutes then mix together.
  2. Add the sugar, vegetable oil, egg, orange zest and vanilla, whisk together to combine.
  3. Slowly add the flour and pinch of salt and with the dough hook attachment, start to mix the dough until it comes together
  Keep the mixer at speed 2 and continue to knead the dough for about seven minutes, the dough must be smooth and elastic.It may take longer so be patient.
  4. If you feel it is too dry add lukewarm milk in one tablespoon lots until you reach desired consistency.
  5. On a flat surface knead the dough a few times form it into a ball, then place it in a lightly oiled bowl,
  6. Roll the dough to cover it lightly in the oil.
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm draft free area for about two-three hours or until tripled in bulk. The time will depend on the temperature of the room.
  8. Once the time has passed, knead the dough a few times, cut into two pieces and roll each into 3cm thick sausages. Cut the sausage into 2cm pieces, then gently roll each piece into a ball and lay on a lined baking tray.
  9. Cover with plastic wrap to let them rise again for another hour.
  10. In a medium sized pot add about 2 inches of vegetable oil, and heat it to 170-175C
  11. Fry the donuts, turning a couple of times for about two to three minutes on each side.
  12. Remove them with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate, but leave them only for a couple of seconds, then roll immediately in cinnamon sugar and cover generously.
  13. Serve immediately on a bed of warm Date and Orange Sauce.
• To Serve
  Spoon the warm date sauce over a large plate leaving a little room around the edge. This will be required as you drag doughnuts through the sauce.
  
  Place a pile of doughnuts on top of the sauce and serve immediately.