Name: Baked Carrot Cake Donuts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce or vegetable oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup grated carrots; Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, raisins, or shredded coconut; 2 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1–2 tbsp milk or heavy cream (for glaze)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These donuts capture everything you love about carrot cake—moist texture, warm spices, and rich flavor—but in a quicker, easier format. Since they’re baked, not fried, they’re lighter and simpler to make, with minimal mess. They come together in one bowl and can be made ahead, making them ideal for meal prepping or entertaining.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Ground ginger
Salt
Brown sugar
Eggs
Unsweetened applesauce or vegetable oil
Vanilla extract
Grated carrots
Optional mix-ins: chopped walnuts, raisins, or shredded coconut
Cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Milk (or heavy cream, for glaze consistency)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
In another bowl, beat the eggs with brown sugar, applesauce (or oil), and vanilla extract until smooth.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
Fold in the grated carrots and any optional mix-ins.
Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the glaze by beating cream cheese with powdered sugar and a little milk until smooth. Dip or drizzle over cooled donuts.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12 baked donuts.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 12–15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Variations

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
Vegan: Use flax eggs, plant-based milk, and vegan cream cheese.
Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan and reduce baking time to 8–10 minutes.
No Glaze: Dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar for a quicker finish.
Spice Boost: Add a pinch of cloves or cardamom for deeper spice notes.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For best texture, let refrigerated donuts come to room temperature before serving, or microwave for 10–15 seconds.
To freeze, wrap unglazed donuts individually and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Glaze after thawing.

FAQs

Can I make these without a donut pan?

Yes, use a muffin tin and bake slightly longer to make donut muffins instead.

Do I need to peel the carrots?

Yes, peeling gives a smoother texture and removes any bitterness from the skin.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots?

Freshly grated carrots are better—they’re finer and more moist than pre-shredded ones.

Can I fry this batter?

No, this batter is designed for baking and doesn’t hold up well to frying.

How do I prevent the donuts from sticking?

Lightly grease the donut pan with non-stick spray or butter, even if it’s nonstick.

Are these donuts sweet enough without glaze?

Yes, the donuts are flavorful on their own, but glaze adds that classic carrot cake finish.

Can I add pineapple to the batter?

Yes, just be sure to drain it well to avoid excess moisture.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely—just use two donut pans or bake in batches.

What type of cream cheese is best for the glaze?

Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest, most flavorful glaze.

Are these healthy?

They’re lighter than fried donuts and can be made even healthier by using whole wheat flour and reducing the sugar.

Conclusion

Baked Carrot Cake Donuts are the perfect blend of cozy spices, wholesome ingredients, and irresistible flavor. They’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and bring all the comfort of carrot cake in a grab-and-go form. Whether you’re baking for brunch, Easter, or just because, these donuts are a delicious way to brighten your day.