Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

 

These baked carrot cake donuts are flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, then topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting.

Made with simple pantry staples, these donuts get their flavor from warm spices and freshly grated carrots.

What You'll Need

• Nonstick cooking spray
• ½ cup canola oil
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Scant ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups finely grated carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt

How to Make Them

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined. Fold in the carrots.
4. Transfer the batter to a pastry bag. Pipe into the prepared donut cavities, filling each slightly over halfway.
5. Bake 12–14 minutes (or 7–8 minutes for mini donuts), until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. For the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and salt, then beat until light and fluffy.
8. Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled donuts.

Variations

• Add ⅓ cup raisins to the batter for added texture and a bit of natural sweetness.
• Top with chopped walnuts instead of sprinkles for a more traditional finish.
• For mini donuts, bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Makes about 24.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these without a donut pan?
Yes, you can use a muffin pan instead. The texture will be the same, but the shape will be different.

Can I skip the frosting?
Yes. These donuts are still flavorful on their own, but the cream cheese frosting adds richness and sweetness.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Store the donuts unfrosted at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer storage. Frost just before serving.

How should I store them?
Once frosted, the donuts must be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

If you enjoyed these Carrot Cake Donuts, you should try my other fun takes on the classic, Carrot Cake Shortbread or Carrot Cake Pancakes. 

Thank you to Heather for hosting #SpringSweetsWeek! Today’s recipes from participating bloggers are linked below. The event continues Friday with even more recipes. 

Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

Yield: 12 donuts 

Ingredients

Donuts:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• ½ cup canola oil
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• Scant ½ tsp salt
• 1½ cups finely grated carrots

Frosting:

• 1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut pans.
2. Whisk together oil, sugars, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Add flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined. Fold in carrots.
4. Fill donut cavities slightly over halfway. Bake 12–14 min (standard) or 7–8 min (mini). Toothpick should come out clean.
5. Cool in pan 10 min, then transfer to wire racks to cool 20 min.

For frosting:

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and salt; beat 2–3 min until fluffy.
2. Frost donuts, decorate as desired and refrigerate 20 min before serving.

Notes

Slightly adapted from The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook, Sara Mellas

For mini donuts, bake 7 to 8 minutes. Makes about 24 donuts.

Recommended Products

Wilton Non-Stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count

The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook

12 count mini donut pan

 

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