Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

When in doubt, grab one of these baked carrot cake donuts! But what’s better than a fried donut? A baked carrot cake donut; with sweet carrots, spicy seasonings, a hint of cinnamon, and a cream cheese glaze to die for!

baked carrot cake donuts with pecans and walnuts

So, if you’re craving sweet, moist, and warm donuts but don’t want to consume those extra calories, this baked carrot cake donut recipe is the perfect alternative. It’s easy to make, delicious to eat, and it can make your mornings beautiful with its creamy frosting because the only thing better than a donut is the frosting!

Why We Love Baked Carrot Cake Donuts?

Baked carrot cake donuts are a mix of two of my favorite things: Carrot cake and donuts! So, devouring a warmly spiced carrot cake in the form of a donut is something I could have every day!

And, the glaze? Oh well, cream cheese is one of the top comfort food ingredients, so imagine how lip-smacking it will be when mixed with milk and sugar and sprinkled with your favorite nuts?

This baked carrot cake donuts recipe uses freshly shredded carrots for that sweet, earthy flavor. It is spiced with a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon, to give it a slightly tangy taste that helps balance the sweetness from the carrots and the cream cheese glaze.

When you bake these donuts, they turn out light and fluffy, and the sweet glaze is like a cherry on top!

So, whip up that donut batter, throw in those shredded carrots, and bake the donuts to perfection! Don’t forget to add the glaze for an irresistible sweet treat for your kids, friends, and loved ones.

one baked carrot cake donut with diced walnuts

Ingredients for Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

For Donuts

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour: I used all-purpose flour, but you can use rice flour or any other flour as an alternative.
  • Spices (1/4 tsp of each: ginger, nutmeg, cloves): For a subtle spicy twist to the recipe.
  • 1 tsp cinnamon:  For that rich, warm flavor
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice (rice vinegar): Helps add a citrusy flavor to the recipe while helping the donuts rise.
  • 1/3 cup milk: To make the donuts soft and moist.
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil: Coconut oil makes the donuts nice and flaky.
  • 1 tsp vanilla: Vanilla makes the flavor pop-out
  • 1/2 cup carrots: Use freshly shredded carrots.

For Icing

  • 1/3 cup cream cheese: To make a sweet, creamy, melt-in-the-mouth glaze.
  • 1 tbsp milk: To make the glaze smooth
  • 1/3 cup sugar: Use powdered sugar for a smooth, soft, and spreadable glaze.
  • 1/3 cup crushed walnuts or pecans: You can use any other nuts of your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about the baked carrot cake donuts:

Q. Can we make carrot cake donuts without the cream cheese glaze?

Yes, you can make the donuts without cream cheese frosting. Just add the nuts to the batter instead of sprinkling them on top. If you wish, you can always create a light icing of powdered sugar and milk mixture.

Q. Can we use buttermilk instead of regular milk?

Yes, you can use buttermilk, soy milk, fat-free milk, or any other milk of your choice.

Q. How can I store baked carrot cake donuts?

You can store baked carrot cake donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and the freezer for up to 3 months. However, if you make donuts without icing, they can stay good for 2 to 3 days outside the refrigerator.

Q. Can we make carrot cake donuts in an air fryer?

If you don’t have access to an oven and would like to enjoy carrot cake donuts in a healthy way, you can easily make them in an air fryer.

Q. What if I don’t have a donut pan?

You can use a muffin tray for baking the donuts if you don’t have a donut pan.

Tips and Tricks

Following are some tried and tested tips and tricks to make amazing baked carrot cake donuts:

1. Always sift your dry ingredients to avoid a lumpy batter.

2. Thoroughly dry your shredded carrots before adding them to the batter to avoid excess moisture, which can lead to soggy uncooked donuts.

3. Cool the donuts before adding glaze; otherwise, it will melt into the donuts.

4. If your glaze gets too thick, add milk to thin it; if it gets too thin, add powdered sugar to get the right consistency.

5. Don’t forget to grease your donut pan or muffin tin before putting the batter on it for baking.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes to Enjoy!

Yield: 8

Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

These baked carrot cake donuts; with sweet carrots, spicy seasonings, a hint of cinnamon, and a cream cheese glaze to die for!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

For Donuts

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • spices (1/4 tsp of each: ginger, nutmeg, cloves)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice (rice vinegar)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup carrots

For Icing

  • 1/3 cup cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup crushed walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. In a bowl add flour, spices, salt, soda and baking powder. Mix
  2. Combine the egg with sugar, beat (the mass will lighten, become homogeneous and increase in volume).
  3. Add milk to the egg mixture, mix
  4. Add coconut oil, mix well again with a whisk (or beat with a mixer at medium speed).
  5. Enter a dry ingredients, mix, then add carrots (fine grater) and lemon juice, mix well.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes.
  7. Prepare the glaze. Combine cream cheese, milk and sugar in a bowl, mix.
  8. Cool the finished donuts, cover with icing and sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.