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Carrot Cake Baked Donuts

Carrot Cake Baked Donuts

Tender baked donuts loaded with warm spices and carrots, finished with a tangy cream cheese glaze. All the coziness of carrot cake in an easy morning treat.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ground ginger
  • 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.33 cup neutral oil such as canola or vegetable
  • 0.33 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 0.5 cup whole milk or buttermilk
  • 1.5 cups finely grated carrots lightly packed
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
  • 3 oz cream cheese for glaze, softened
  • 0.75 cup powdered sugar for glaze
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract for glaze
  • 1.5 tbsp milk for glaze, as needed

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 6-cavity donut pans or coat with baking spray.
  • Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
  • In another bowl, whisk brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
  • Fold grated carrots into the wet mixture.
  • Add wet ingredients to dry. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in nuts if using.
  • Spoon or pipe batter into pans, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
  • Bake 10–12 minutes, until the tops spring back and a tester comes out clean.
  • Cool 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer donuts to a rack to cool completely.
  • Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy. Mix in vanilla and enough milk to make a pourable glaze.
  • Dip cooled donuts in glaze or drizzle over tops. Let set a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Try adding a handful of raisins or swapping buttermilk for the milk for extra tang. For a lighter finish, dust cooled donuts with powdered sugar instead of glazing. Store glazed donuts covered in the fridge for up to 3 days; unglazed donuts keep at room temperature for 2 days.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Carrot Cake Baked Donuts flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.