Baked Carrot Cake Doughnuts
Deliciously soft, moist, and fluffy doughnuts packed with grated carrots and warm spices, topped with a sweet, creamy cream cheese frosting. A delicious twist on classic carrot cake!
Servings: 10 - 12 doughnuts
Calories: 256kcal
Ingredients
For the Doughnuts
- 1 ½ cups (187g) plain/all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (100g) caster/granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk*
- ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (80g) grated carrots
For the Frosting
- ¼ cup (57g) cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup (125g) icing/powdered sugar
- 1 - 2 teaspoons milk
Instructions
For the Doughnuts
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Grease a doughnut pan, and set aside.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg and sugar until combined. Add the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and whisk until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Fold in the grated carrot.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared doughnut pan, filling almost to the top. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 5 - 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Frosting
- Whisk together the cream cheese and butter until combined.
- Add the icing sugar and whisk until completely smooth and combined. Add milk if the frosting is too thick for your liking.
- Dunk each doughnut into the frosting, top with chopped walnuts or pecans, and leave to set.
Notes
*To make your own buttermilk, simply add 1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup (120ml) of milk. Stir to combine, and allow to sit for 5 - 10 minutes until slightly thickened and curdled.
Leftover doughnuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 days. They also freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.