If you’re craving a tender, flavorful donut, try these fluffy baked Carrot Cake Donuts. They capture all the warm spice of carrot cake and are finished with a smooth, dairy-free cream cheese-style icing. Light and moist, these donuts are made gluten- and dairy-free, so they’re a great option for many dietary needs.
Simple to prepare and versatile to serve, these homemade donuts work for Easter brunch, a special breakfast, or a sweet dessert. They’re a step above store-bought donuts and are sure to impress friends and family.
Why You Need This Recipe
- Easy to make with pantry-friendly ingredients
- Gluten- and dairy-free without sacrificing taste
- A crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults
- Recipe scales well so you can double or triple the batch
Ingredients Needed
The full ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below. Here are the key components and a few suggestions to help you choose gluten- and dairy-free options.
Donut Batter Ingredients
- Gluten-free flour — use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan or guar gum; if your blend lacks a binder, add some.
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg
- Salt
- Dairy-free buttermilk — make by mixing 1 teaspoon vinegar with 1/3 cup dairy-free milk
- Vegetable or canola oil
- Packed brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Finely grated carrots — fresh shredded carrots work well
- Chopped pecans — optional; walnuts or other nuts can be substituted
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients
- Dairy-free cream cheese — choose a brand you like and soften it before using
- Dairy-free butter — use plant-based butter sticks or spreadable alternatives, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Dairy-free milk — almond, oat, soy, coconut, or other plant milk will do
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Donut pans — two pans are useful if you’re making a full batch.
Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing bowls and whisk
Grater for the carrots
Piping bag or a resealable bag with the corner snipped to fill the pans neatly
Wire rack for cooling
Mixer or stand mixer to make the frosting smooth
Nonstick cooking spray to grease the pans
Food processor if you want to chop nuts quickly
How to Make Carrot Cake Donuts
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two oven-safe donut pans with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients: gluten-free flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the dairy-free buttermilk, oil, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. Fold in the grated carrots.
- Transfer batter to a piping bag or a gallon freezer bag with the corner snipped, and fill the prepared donut pans.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow pans to cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before removing the donuts to finish cooling on the rack.
- For the icing, beat the dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and dairy-free milk and beat until creamy.
- Pipe or spread the frosting over cooled donuts and sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired.
Storage
Store cooled donuts in an airtight container. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated if you won’t eat them within 1–2 days, especially when frosted.
Tips and Variations
- Double-check all ingredient labels to confirm they are gluten- and dairy-free.
- Swap sugars for maple syrup or honey if you prefer natural sweeteners; adjust quantities and texture accordingly.
- Scale the recipe up for bake sales or gatherings — it remains reliable when multiplied.
- Make mini donuts for bite-sized servings.
Troubleshooting
Help, my donuts are stuck to the donut mold! What do I do?
Gently run a butter knife or offset spatula around the edge of each donut to release it from the pan. Tap the pan and invert onto a cooling rack if needed.
Do I have to use homemade cream cheese frosting?
No — store-bought dairy-free frosting or a simple dairy-free buttercream will also work if you prefer an easier option.
More Delicious Treats
If you enjoy these carrot cake donuts, try other homemade donut recipes for variety, such as Oreo-style, pumpkin spice, double chocolate, or fruity cereal-topped donuts.
- Oreo Donuts
- Pumpkin Donuts
- Double Chocolate Donuts
- Fruity Pebble Donuts
- Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Donuts
Baked Carrot Cake Donuts
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free flour suggestions in post
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup dairy free buttermilk suggestions in post
- ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup finely grated carrots
- For the icing:
- 3 ounces dairy-free cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons dairy-free butter softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dairy free milk
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray two oven-safe donut pans with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
-
Whisk together the dry ingredients: gluten free flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
-
Whisk together the dairy free buttermilk, oil, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate medium-sized bowl, until well blended.
-
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir donut batter until combined. Fold in the grated carrots.
-
Carefully, transfer the fresh made batter into a piping bag or gallon-sized freezer bag with the end snipped off. Squeeze the donut batter into the sprayed donut baking pans.
-
Bake donuts for 10 to 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
-
Remove the donut pans from the oven and place the doughnut pan on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before removing the donuts and letting the baked donuts rest on the wire racks.
-
In another mixing bowl, beat the dairy free cream cheese and dairy free butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and dairy free milk. Beat until creamy.
-
Pipe or spread the frosting over the fresh made donuts. Sprinkle with chopped pecans if using.
Notes
- Always check that your ingredients are gluten and dairy free.
- See the ingredient suggestions in the Ingredients Needed section above.
Nutritional Disclaimer
These Nutritional Facts are ESTIMATED. Actual nutrition will vary by brands and measurements. For precise information, calculate using the specific brands you use.
Pin It For Later
