Spiced Carrot Cake Donuts Baked Recipe

I published this recipe for Spiced Carrot Cake Donuts Baked a few years ago after a serious donut pan craving hit. I wanted all the cozy flavor of my favorite oatmeal carrot cake, but in a form I could justify eating for breakfast.

My secret? I use a trick from my favorite muffin recipe. I toss the shredded carrots in the flour first. This little step keeps them from sinking and gives every single bite the perfect texture.

It makes these donuts feel special, like a morning treat you truly deserve. They’re a breakfast dessert that never fails to brighten my day.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: American
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 12 donuts

Why This Recipe is So Special

What sets these baked donuts apart is their incredible moisture. We get it from two places: the carrots, of course, and a generous pour of buttermilk.

The buttermilk works with the baking soda to give a beautiful, tender crumb. It also adds a slight tang that balances the warm spices and sweet glaze perfectly.

You get a donut that’s soft, flavorful, and feels homemade in the best way. It’s a simple technique that makes a huge difference.

The Full Ingredient List

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking success. I like to have everything measured and ready before I start mixing. It makes the process so smooth.

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ⅔ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups finely shredded carrots (about 2-3 medium carrots)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Glaze:

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• A tiny pinch of salt

My Step-by-Step Method

Follow these steps and you’ll have perfect donuts in no time. The key is not to overmix the batter. We want it just combined.

Recipe

Spiced Carrot Cake Donuts Baked Recipe

Make Spiced Carrot Cake Donuts Baked Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Jennifer McDonallds

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 25 min

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

The Full Ingredient List

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ⅔ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups finely shredded carrots (about 2-3 medium carrots)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

My Step-by-Step Method

1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan very well with butter or non-stick spray. This is crucial for easy release!

2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.

3

Take about a tablespoon of this dry mixture and toss it with your shredded carrots in a small bowl. This is my secret step to keep them suspended!

4

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and brown sugar together until smooth and a bit creamy. This should take about a minute.

5

Whisk in the vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined.

6

Add the dry flour mixture (minus the bit you used for the carrots) to the wet ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just a few flour streaks remain.

7

Fold in the flour-tossed carrots and the chopped nuts, if using. Stop mixing as soon as everything is incorporated.

8

Spoon the batter into the prepared donut cavities, filling each about ¾ full. You can also pipe it in using a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.

9

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly when touched. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

10

While the donuts cool, make the glaze. Whisk all glaze ingredients in a shallow bowl until smooth. Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, let the excess drip off, and place back on the rack to set.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Spiced Carrot Cake Donuts Baked Recipe!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 250kcal

Carbohydrates: 40g

Protein: 4g

Fat: 9g

Saturated Fat: 5g

Cholesterol: 35mg

Sodium: 220mg

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 26g

Did You Make This?

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan very well with butter or non-stick spray. This is crucial for easy release!
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
3. Take about a tablespoon of this dry mixture and toss it with your shredded carrots in a small bowl. This is my secret step to keep them suspended!
4. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and brown sugar together until smooth and a bit creamy. This should take about a minute.
5. Whisk in the vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined.
6. Add the dry flour mixture (minus the bit you used for the carrots) to the wet ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just a few flour streaks remain.
7. Fold in the flour-tossed carrots and the chopped nuts, if using. Stop mixing as soon as everything is incorporated.
8. Spoon the batter into the prepared donut cavities, filling each about ¾ full. You can also pipe it in using a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
9. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly when touched. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
10. While the donuts cool, make the glaze. Whisk all glaze ingredients in a shallow bowl until smooth. Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, let the excess drip off, and place back on the rack to set.

My Top Tips for Success

• Room temperature is key. Using room temperature eggs and buttermilk helps the batter come together smoothly and bake evenly.
• Do not overfill your donut pan. Filling them ¾ full is the sweet spot. They will puff up and give you that classic ring shape.
• Let the donuts cool completely before glazing. If they’re even slightly warm, the glaze will melt right off and become a mess.
• For a thicker glaze that sets firm, use cream instead of milk. For a thinner, drizzle-able glaze, add more liquid one teaspoon at a time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common issue is donuts that stick. This is almost always because the pan wasn’t greased well enough. Be generous with that butter or spray!

Another mistake is overmixing the batter. Once you add the flour, switch to a folding motion with a spatula. A few small lumps are absolutely fine. Overmixing leads to tough donuts.

Finally, don’t skip the cooling step in the pan. If you try to remove them immediately, they can tear. Five minutes gives them time to firm up just enough.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

• Calories: 250kcal
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 26g

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make these without a donut pan?

You can! This batter works beautifully as muffins. Just grease a muffin tin and fill the cups ⅔ full. Bake at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes.

How should I store these glazed donuts?

Store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you stack them, the glaze might stick. For longer storage, freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots from the store?

I don’t recommend it. They are often too dry and thick. Freshly shredded carrots are much more moist and tender, which is what gives these donuts their wonderful texture. It’s the same principle that makes a baked corned beef brisket so juicy—starting with the right quality and preparation of your main ingredient is everything.

Leave a Reply! (I’d Love to Hear From You!)

Did you try my carrot cake donut trick? I’d love to know how it went in the comments below! Tell me if you added nuts or tried a different spice. Your notes and ratings help me and other bakers in our community so much. If you’re looking for another cozy way to enjoy carrots, you must try this creamy carrot sweet potato soup. Happy baking!