Carrot Cake Baked Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

These Carrot Cake Baked Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting are an easy donut recipe that is perfect for Easter brunch or a Spring party! Perfectly moist and slathered in a tangy cream cheese frosting. The best way to get your vegetables!

carrot cake donuts with cream cheese frosting on marble with child's hand

Have you guys jumped on the baked donuts train yet?

I’ll admit, it took me a little while. The first time I tried was a big fail, and I stashed my donut pans in the cupboard for quite a while afterwards.

But once I busted them out to make these Lemon Blueberry Donuts, I never looked back. Since then these Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts and these Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Donuts have made their appearances, but it was time to add another to the must-make list.

carrot cake donuts no frosting on marble

I know.

Carrot cake.

What is this madness?

Are you a fan of veggie desserts or no? I know for some they can be a tough sell, and I used to be one of those people.

When I was a kid, I remember my cousin had carrot cake for her wedding cake. And I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it. I still remember my disappointment to this day.

For a 10 year old kid, what is a wedding without cake?? And there is only carrot cake?!? It felt like the biggest rip off!

But I’ve since come around, and while carrot cake isn’t right up there at the top of my list, I will admit that it’s perfectly delicious with a slather of cream cheese frosting. Without the cream cheese frosting? Not a chance.

I mean, my girls will eat just about anything in donut shape, frosting or not. The fun shape gets to them and I have to hold them off to get the frosting on (which isn’t a bad problem to have, I guess, especially if they’re getting extra veggies!).

Usually, I add crushed pineapple to my carrot cake because I do love pineapple, in desserts or dinners. But I didn’t want to mess with my favorite baked donut recipe too much and alter the liquid, so I left it out this time. Feel free to add in raisins or nuts if that’s your thing!

Tips and Tricks for Making these Carrot Cake Baked Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting:

You will need a non-stick donut pan for this recipe. If you don’t have one, you can probably bake the batter into muffins but I haven’t tried that, so I can’t give any advice on that. The donuts pop out easily after a couple minutes of cooling, so don’t worry if you only have one pan!
Feel free to add in raisins or nuts, whatever suits your fancy!
These donuts freeze perfectly, so they’re great for making ahead!

Carrot Cake Baked Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting

These Carrot Cake Baked Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting are an easy donut recipe that is perfect for Easter brunch or a Spring party! Perfectly moist and slathered in a tangy cream cheese frosting. The best way to get your vegetables!

Ingredients

1/4
cup
unsalted butter
melted
1/4
cup
canola oil
3/4
cup
granulated sugar
150g
1
cup
milk
2
large eggs
2
teaspoons
vanilla
2
large carrots
peeled and shredded (about 2 cups)
2 2/3
cups
all purpose flour
1 1/2
teaspoons
baking powder
1
teaspoon
ground cinnamon
1/2
teaspoon
salt
1/4
teaspoon
baking soda
pinch
of nutmeg

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4
ounces
light cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 package
1/4
cup
unsalted butter
room temperature
1/2
teaspoon
vanilla
1
cup
powdered icing sugar

Instructions

Donuts:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and lightly grease your donut pans. Set aside.
In a large bowl, stir together butter and oil. Add sugar and whisk until combined.
Add milk, eggs, vanilla and whisk until combined. Stir in carrots.
Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and nutmeg and stir just until combined.
Spoon or pipe batter into prepared pans, about 3/4 full.
Bake for 7-8 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth — this might take 4-5 minutes but it will come together!
Spread on cooled donuts and decorate as desired (I used toasted coconut!). Serve.
Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days or in the freezer up to 3 months

Nutrition Facts

Carrot Cake Baked Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting

Amount Per Serving

Calories 297
Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 13g
20%

Saturated Fat 5g
25%

Cholesterol 46mg
15%

Sodium 165mg
7%

Potassium 148mg
4%

Total Carbohydrates 40g
13%

Sugars 21g