These are the best Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Doughnuts you'll ever bake! Healthy donuts topped with a delicious vegan cream cheese frosting, they're allergy-free, sugar-free, easily whipped up in one bowl, and baked in 12 minutes! This kid-friendly breakfast or dessert recipe is perfect for any springtime treat or Easter celebration!
You can't have too much carrot cake! Nor can you have too many doughnuts! Combine the two and you'll have a new favorite dessert (okay, and breakfast!) on your hands! You know we're all about carrot cake for breakfast and carrot cake for dessert here on Strength and Sunshine. Since doughnuts can go either way, carrot cake doughnuts seemed like just the Springtime recipe you'd need! Baked in a quick 12 minutes, gluten-free, vegan, allergy-free, and sugar-free! Topped with an easy, creamy, sweet dairy-free cream cheese frosting...what more could you want?
How to make gluten-free vegan carrot cake doughnuts
These doughnuts are modeled off my gluten-free carrot cake cupcakes! A slightly scaled down version of the recipe, prime for baking in a single donut pan! All you need are your classic carrot cake ingredients: gluten-free all purpose flour, baking powder, vegan egg replacement, carrot puree, shredded carrot, sugar-free sweetener, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, a touch of crushed pineapple, some raisins, and a small amount of non-dairy milk! No pecans or walnuts in these nut-free carrot cake doughnuts either! I bet you have all those ingredients on hand which may or may not be a bad thing (#doughnutaddiction). Hey! No sugar, no oil, no allergens? These are doughnuts you can get behind!
Easy vegan cream cheese frosting
Unlike the vegan cream cheese frosting used in these carrot cake cupcakes, this frosting or "icing" if you prefer, is much easier and doesn't require the same creaming of the vegan butter and cream cheese in a mixer! You whip out a bowl and fork (what I used!) This frosting is easily spreadable, so you can just spread it on the top of the doughnuts with a knife. It doesn't harden so much, allowing you to top those deliciously baked rings with ALL the sprinkles and shredded coconut!
Are baked doughnuts really that good?
I may be biased, but baked doughnuts are #1! Do you really have the time or kitchen space, with little kids running under food to be able to deep fry doughnuts? I didn't think so! Not only are baked doughnuts healthier and oil-free, but they last longer, are quicker, easier, and really don't require any prior planning! They are one of the best last-minute baked goods you could make!
Doughnuts for breakfast, dessert, or an Easter brunch
The best thing about doughnuts is that cross the mealtime territories! Many people have a big brunch on Easter Sunday and that's an optimal time to serve up these doughnuts! Since brunch AND Easter always seems to be very egg dominant when it comes to recipes and dishes being served up, having some egg-free options for those with egg allergies and those who are vegan is a must! Although, everyone will be reaching for one of these carrot cake doughnuts! If you're lucky enough to have any leftovers, a nighttime doughnut for dessert sounds perfect...doesn't it? These mini carrot cake bundt cakes wouldn't be a bad idea either! Or maybe we should just go all out with a FULL carrot cake!
Other Easter brunch recipes:
- Mini Chickpea Flour Vegan Frittata Bites
- Roasted Skillet Breakfast Potatoes
- Vegan Chickpea Flour Omelette
- Carrot Cake Waffles
- Hummingbird Loaf Cake
- Carrot Cake Pancakes
Served warm or cold
For baked doughnuts, I'm much more of a warm, straight from the oven kind of girl. Of course, to frost these doughnuts you'll need to let them cool so the frosting doesn't melt right off! Although, a dreamy, melty, creamy vegan cream cheese frosting on a warm carrot cake doughnut sounds pretty good! Like a cinnamon bun! Serve these whichever way you'd like, but store them long term in a container in the fridge! Again, when using cream cheese frosting, it needs to be chilled for storage, NOT room temperature like other cake frostings!
Can you freeze doughnuts?
You can bake, cool, and freeze these doughnuts as you would any baked good, but hold off on the frosting! When you're ready to serve and eat the doughnuts, allow them to thaw in the fridge, then come to room temperature, and then add the cream cheese frosting. You'll have a much yummier doughnut this way!
Baked Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Doughnuts
PrintBaked Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Doughnuts (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
These are the best Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Doughnuts you'll ever bake! Healthy donuts topped with a delicious vegan cream cheese frosting, they're allergy-free, sugar-free, easily whipped up in one bowl, and baked in 12 minutes! This kid-friendly breakfast or dessert recipe is perfect for any springtime treat or Easter celebration!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 17 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Doughnuts:
- 1 ½ Cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Prepared Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacement
- ⅓ Cup Granulated Erythritol (or preferred granulated sweetener)
- ¼ Cup Shredded Carrot
- ¼ Cup Carrot Puree
- 2 TB Unsweetened Raisins
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- ½ Tsp Ground Ginger
- ¼ Tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1 TB Crushed Pineapple
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- 6 TB Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 Cup Powdered Erythritol (or preferred powdered sweetener)
- ½ Cup Plain Vegan & Allergy-Free Cream Cheese (softened)
- 2 TB Vegan & Allergy-Free Butter (softened)
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Toppings:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the doughnut ingredients together in order. Mix well until you have a thick doughnut batter.
- Grease a non-stick 6-cavity donut pan and spoon out the doughnut batter evenly among the six cavities (you'll have a bit left over), smooth out the tops.
- Bake the doughnuts in the oven for 12-13 minutes, remove, and gently remove the doughnuts from the pan to allow them to cool on a wire rack.
- To make the cream cheese frosting, mix together the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl.
- Add the powdered sweetener and vanilla, mix again until you have a smooth creamy frosting. Chill the frosting before using on the doughnuts.
- Frost the cooled doughnuts with the prepared frosting and top with optional allergy-free sprinkles and shredded coconut if desired.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Other baked doughnut recipes to try:
- Apple Cinnamon Crumble Doughnuts
- Cinnamon Glazed Pumpkin Doughnuts
- Cinnamon Sweet Potato Doughnuts
- Ginger Glazed Purple Sweet Potato Doughnuts
- Maple Blueberry Powdered Sugar Doughnuts
- Triple Chocolate Doughnuts
Spring has sprung and it's due time for ALL the carrot cake doughnuts, don't you think? Warm that oven, get out a bowl, and whip up these delicious, but healthy baked doughnuts for you, your family, and your guests this season!
So tell me:
+ Do you celebrate Easter with a big Brunch?
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Anjani
Can i make carrot pure at home since i am not able to find the ready made carrot pure?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure, why not?
Crissy
I don't even follow a GF diet, but these look so good I'll just have to try them! Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No need to be, good food is for everyone!
Marie
These carrot cake doughnuts look and delicious! Happy to find a doughnut that my daughter can eat. Pinned 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm so glad to hear that!
Brittany
Oh yeah! I am so making these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Let me know what you think!
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
It's so long since I made doughnuts. Loving the idea of a carrot cake version.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's time for some doughnuts then!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
These doughnuts are calling my name! Such a delicious treat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They sure are a delicious treat.
sally
I did not know I needed this until now! Thank you, carrot cake is my favorite! So excited to now have a vegan option
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Carrot cake is number 1!
Paige Bainbridge
These look so good! And although I'm not a great baker, when I read your recipe, I think I could do it. Love that you talk about how versatile they are. So pretty too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These are so easy! Just mix and bake!
Jenn
OMG! These look amazing! I am definitely going to make these. Thank you for the recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So glad! Enjoy!
Linh
I pinned this yesterday! Will have to try making them for my hubby since he doesn't eat gluten. Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So glad! Hope you all enjoy!
Sam
These sound delicious especially with sprinkles on top
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Always got to have the sprinkles!
Elizabeth | Tiredmom Supermom
uhm those look amazing! I have NEVER made doughnuts before, this recipe makes it seem pretty simple. My kids would have too much fun with the icing. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You need to have a family doughnut day then!
Amber S Battishill
These look so good and are perfect for spring! I want one with a cup of coffee!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect with a cup of coffee!
Michele Morin
These look so good. My family loves cake doughnuts.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Alright then.
Indya | The Small Adventurer
I love baked donuts! They are SO easy to make, and still super delicious. The fact that these ones are gluten free is another bonus altogether! ☺️
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are! I love how quick they are to bake up!
Selina
These look amazing! I'm an allergy/food intolerance girl so this recipe makes me happy! Pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well I am glad to hear it!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Love that these goodies are baked, and love the carrot-cake goodness!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best way to have doughnuts at home!
Jay | Life of Creed
I haven't had carrot cake in forever. This would be a great way to introduce the yummy goodness of carrot cake to my daughter - a carrot cake donut. I'll have to make these very soon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Come on, girl! It's carrot cake season!
nancyc
These look so yummy-what a treat! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Gina
Yum! I'm always on the hunt for good, gluten-free deserts & these look amazing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Double as a breakfast!
Hadia
These sound absolutely delicious! Definitely on my to do list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well, I am glad to hear it, Hadia!
Leigh Suznovich
Oh yes please! These look delish, and I love that they're baked instead of fried.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Homemade baked doughnuts are always the way to go!
Emily
These looks incredible, I've never thought of making carrot cake into donuts! I'm defo saving this recipe to give it a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A no-brainer treat!
Helen Little
Ohh how ingenious! Love carrot cake and doughnuts, what a combo!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The perfect spring combo!
Cierra
Yum! I've never tried carrot cake donuts before but this recipe sounds pretty good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Can never go wrong with carrot cake!
Brittainy
OMG these look soooooo yummy! For sure going to to try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you enjoy!
Paul
Dang these look great!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Paul.
Nicole
Love carrot cake! With Easter around the corner, I will definitely be making these. My kids will really like them as a doughnut.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I know they will love these!
cait
my friends are HUGE carrot cake fans but i never thought to make it into a donut and have it be vegan too- def making these asap!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can never go wrong with any carrot cake!
Annaliese
I'm hungry looking at these pictures! I've never tried this flavor of donuts before but they look incredible 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Carrot cake ALL the ways during the season!