Description
Baked Carrot Cake Donuts are a light and fluffy take on the classic carrot cake, made with warm spices, grated carrots, and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze. These oven-baked donuts are easy to make and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a guilt-free dessert.
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)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs with brown sugar, applesauce (or oil), and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined—do not overmix.
- Fold in grated carrots and any optional mix-ins like nuts or raisins.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Cool the donuts in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze, beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk or cream until smooth.
- Dip or drizzle the glaze over the cooled donuts and allow it to set before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated carrots for the best texture and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter—this helps keep the donuts light and tender.
- Let the donuts cool fully before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- For a simpler topping, dust with powdered sugar instead of glazing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
