These Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Maple Frosting are baked to perfection with warming spices and topped with a delicious cream cheese maple icing. A delightful twist on a classic cake, perfect for a cozy treat or a festive celebration.

Delicious Baked Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

There’s nothing quite like the joy of freshly baked goods, especially when they combine the comforting flavors of a beloved cake with the fun, handheld form of a doughnut. Say hello to these utterly adorable and irresistibly delicious Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting! Forget the hassle and mess of deep-frying; these cakey delights are baked to golden perfection, offering a wonderfully moist texture and a burst of warming spices in every bite.

If you’re anything like me, carrot cake holds a special place in your heart. It’s the ultimate comfort dessert, rich with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, and wonderfully moist thanks to grated carrots. When I decided to have some baking fun, I knew my favorite cake batter was the perfect candidate for a new adventure. The result? These charming baked doughnuts, elevated with a luscious, tangy, and sweet maple cream cheese frosting. They truly are a little ray of sunshine on any day!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with Baked Doughnuts

Baked doughnuts are a revelation, especially if you’re looking for an easier and healthier alternative to their deep-fried counterparts. Not only do they require far less oil, but they also eliminate the need for a deep fryer, making the cleanup a breeze. The texture is akin to a light, fluffy cake—moist and tender on the inside with a delicately crisp exterior, rather than the chewy texture of traditional yeast doughnuts.

For a long time, I primarily focused on savory recipes on this blog. However, I’m on a mission this year to explore the sweeter side of the kitchen, and these baked carrot cake doughnuts are just the beginning! If you don’t yet own a doughnut pan, I genuinely urge you to invest in one! It’s a game-changer for homemade treats, opening up a world of possibilities beyond just carrot cake. They produce impressive, perfectly shaped doughnuts every time, and the joy of seeing them emerge from the oven is unmatched. Plus, baking them means you can enjoy the deliciousness with a little less guilt and a lot more convenience.

Beyond their ease and reduced fat content, baked doughnuts are incredibly versatile. You can experiment with various glazes, frostings, and toppings to match any season or celebration. For instance, these carrot cake doughnuts, adorned with adorable heart-shaped sprinkles, transform into the perfect Valentine’s treat. Why settle for chocolates when you can surprise someone with these heartfelt, homemade delights? They’re truly way better!

The Irresistible Allure of Carrot Cake Flavors

Carrot cake is a true masterpiece of flavors and textures. It’s a symphony of warm spices that evoke comfort and home, combined with the natural sweetness and moisture provided by finely grated carrots. This recipe captures all the beloved elements of classic carrot cake, transforming them into a delightful doughnut form.

Our spice blend is carefully chosen to create that signature carrot cake profile: fragrant ground cinnamon, fiery ginger, a hint of nutmeg, and a generous tablespoon of mixed spice. These spices not only infuse the doughnuts with an incredible aroma but also add a depth of flavor that is both inviting and satisfying. The addition of fresh orange zest and juice brightens the overall taste, cutting through the richness and adding a lovely citrusy note that perfectly complements the carrots and spices. This vibrant combination ensures each bite is packed with that unmistakable carrot cake goodness we all adore.

Crafting the Luscious Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

What’s carrot cake without a decadent cream cheese frosting? For these baked doughnuts, we’re taking it a step further with a glorious maple cream cheese frosting. This isn’t just any frosting; it’s a creamy, dreamy concoction that perfectly balances the sweetness of the doughnuts with a slight tang from the cream cheese and a rich, earthy sweetness from pure maple syrup.

The maple syrup introduces a wonderful depth that elevates the entire flavor profile, making these doughnuts truly special. It’s incredibly easy to whip up: simply combine softened butter, cream cheese, light brown icing sugar, and maple syrup, then whisk until light, fluffy, and perfectly spreadable. This frosting isn’t just delicious; it’s the crowning glory of these carrot cake doughnuts, providing a creamy, sweet contrast to the spiced cake. Don’t forget the sprinkles—they add a pop of color and a touch of festive fun!

You can find the doughnut pan I used to create this recipe, along with other kitchen essentials I love and recommend, easily available online, such as on Amazon.

Step-By-Step Photos Above for Guidance

Many of our recipes include detailed step-by-step photos, helpful tips, and tricks to ensure perfect results on your first attempt!

Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Maple Frosting Recipe

By Emily

Prep:
15 mins

Cook:
20 mins

Total:
35 mins

Servings:
15 doughnuts

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These Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Maple Frosting are baked to perfection with warming spices and topped with a delicious cream cheese maple icing.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 200 g carrots, grated
• 200 g light brown sugar
• 200 g plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• Zest of 1 orange

Wet Ingredients

• 150 ml sunflower oil
• 3 large free-range eggs
• Juice of 1 orange

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

• 200 g cream cheese
• 220 g light brown icing/powder sugar (normal will do)
• 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 40 g butter, softened (plus extra for greasing)
• Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients (sunflower oil, eggs, and orange juice) until well combined.
• In a separate large mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients (grated carrots, light brown sugar, plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, mixed spice, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, pinch of nutmeg, and orange zest). Stir them together thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices.
• Add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients bowl. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough doughnuts.
• Lightly grease your doughnut pan with a little extra butter. Carefully spoon the batter into each doughnut mould, filling them about two-thirds full.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into a doughnut comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the doughnuts to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the doughnuts are cooling, prepare the maple cream cheese frosting. Add the cream cheese, light brown icing/powder sugar, maple syrup, and softened butter to a mixing bowl. Whisk with an electric mixer for approximately 5 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth.
• Once the doughnuts are completely cool, generously top each one with the prepared maple cream cheese frosting. Decorate with sprinkles if desired, and enjoy!

Notes for Perfect Doughnuts

For the best flavor and texture, these carrot cake doughnuts are best consumed within 1-2 days of baking.

If you are using only one 6-ring doughnut pan, bake each batch for approximately 10 minutes each, adjusting the baking time slightly as needed.

Helpful Info for All Recipes

• I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise.
• When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind, I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavor.
• All vegetables are medium-sized unless stated otherwise.
• All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven.
• Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
• Check out our must-have Italian Pantry Staples.
• You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.

Nutrition

Calories:
320
kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

If you’ve tried these Carrot Cake Doughnuts or any other recipe on the blog, please let me know how you got on in the comments below. I absolutely love hearing from you and seeing your creations! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to discover more delicious food and stay updated on my latest culinary adventures.