Description
Carrot Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting combine the warm spices and natural sweetness of fresh grated carrots with a soft, moist donut base, topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this recipe delivers a comforting flavor fusion and irresistible texture that delights every season.
Ingredients
Scale
Donut Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan alternative)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups grated fresh carrots
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (dairy-free for vegan option)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (dairy-free for vegan option)
- 1 to 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Light dusting of cinnamon or cinnamon sugar
- Grated carrot curls
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients—vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract—until smooth. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently fold in the grated carrots. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts soft and tender.
- Bake the Donuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan. Spoon the batter evenly into each cavity, filling about three-quarters full. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the donuts cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost and Finish: Spread or pipe generous amounts of the cream cheese frosting on each cooled donut. Optionally, garnish with chopped nuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or grated carrot curls for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Use fresh grated carrots for the best moisture and flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure tender donuts.
- Make sure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before making frosting to achieve a smooth texture.
- Frost donuts only after they have fully cooled to prevent melting.
- Store frosted donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: carrot cake donuts, cream cheese frosting, baked donuts, gluten free carrot cake, breakfast donuts, spiced donuts, homemade donuts
