Irresistible Carrot Spice Donuts: 1 Bowl, No Regrets

Okay, so, I have this thing for donuts. A *big* thing. And these Carrot Spice Donuts? Wow! They might just be my new favorite. I mean, seriously, who can resist a warm, spiced donut, especially when it’s slathered in a tangy cream cheese glaze? Not me, that’s for sure!

I’m Lisa Raymond!, and baking in Seattle taught me how to make donuts to satisfy any sweet tooth, including my own. Nothing fancy, real ingredients, easy instructions, and a taste to boot. It’s really simple.

These little guys are so easy to whip up at home, and they taste like a cross between carrot cake and a spice cake… but in donut form! Perfect for a fall brunch, a spring treat, or, let’s be real, any time you’re craving something a little bit special.

Why You’ll Love These Carrot Spice Donuts

Okay, so why are these Carrot Spice Donuts about to become your new obsession? Let me tell you:

• They’re seriously easy! I’m talking minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. Perfect for a lazy weekend morning.
• The *taste*! The carrots keep them super moist, and the spices? Pure cozy comfort. Trust me.
• That cream cheese glaze? Don’t even get me started. It’s tangy, sweet, and the perfect complement to the spiced donuts.
• Hello, Spring and Fall! These are the *perfect* seasonal bake. But who am I kidding; they’re amazing year-round.
• They feel fancy but you do not have to be. Making Carrot Spice Donuts at home helps me to slow things down.

Ingredients for Carrot Spice Donuts

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Nothing too crazy here, mostly stuff you probably already have in your pantry. But I’m telling you, the *quality* of these ingredients makes a HUGE difference. So, grab the good stuff, okay?

For the Donuts:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (I like to use unbleached!)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup buttermilk (See my note below if you do not have any on hand)
• ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup finely grated carrots (freshly grated, please!)

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (Super important that it’s soft!)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream, for extra richness!)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Don’t have buttermilk? No problem! Just add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, then fill with milk to the 3/4 cup line. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and boom – buttermilk substitute!

How to Make Carrot Spice Donuts: Step-by-Step

Okay, buckle up, because we’re about to make some seriously delicious Carrot Spice Donuts! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. I promise!

1. First things first, **preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)**. This is super important! Also, grease and flour your donut pan. Nobody wants stuck donuts, right? I’ve been there; it’s not pretty!
2. In a large bowl – and I mean LARGE – whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Get it all nice and mixed up! Trust me on this, using a whisk really helps avoid any clumps in your baked donuts.
3. Now, in a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. You want this to be smooth and dreamy, okay?
4. Okay, here comes the fun part: pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until *just* combined. I cannot stress this enough: **DO NOT OVERMIX!** Seriously, that’s the secret, okay? Gently fold in the grated carrots. Remember, a few streaks of flour are okay.
5. Time to get those donuts in the pan! Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. I find using a piping bag (even just a Ziploc with the corner snipped off!) makes this way easier and less messy.
6. Pop those babies in the oven and **bake for 10-12 minutes**, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Keep a close eye on them, because every oven is different! You do not want to burn your carrot spice donuts.
7. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Just 5! This helps them set up a little before you move them. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. I know, the waiting is KILLING you, but trust me, it’s worth it!
8. While the donuts are cooling (patience, young grasshopper!), prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth as silk. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined. Stir in the milk (or cream – go for cream, you deserve it!) and vanilla extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
9. Finally, the best part! Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, letting any excess drip off. Place them back on the wire rack for the glaze to set. I know it’s tempting, but give it a few minutes!

Serve immediately and prepared to be crowned the Baking Queen (or King!). Store the extras in an airtight container, if they last that long!

Tips for Perfect Carrot Spice Donuts

Okay, you’ve got the recipe, now let’s talk secrets! Here are a few of my top tips to make sure your Carrot Spice Donuts turn out absolutely perfect every single time:

• **Don’t. Overmix. The Batter!** Seriously, this is the biggest mistake people make. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which leads to tough, chewy donuts. Blend the wet and dry ingredients until just combined, okay?
• **Freshly Grated Carrots Are Key.** The pre-shredded stuff? Nope. Just won’t cut it. Freshly grated carrots have so much more moisture and flavor, and that’s what makes these donuts so darn good.
• **Let Those Donuts Cool Down!** I know you’re impatient (me too!). But letting the donuts cool completely before glazing prevents the glaze from melting into a sticky mess. Trust me on this one.
• **Glaze Consistency is Everything.** If your glaze is too thick, it’ll be hard to dip the donuts. Too thin, and it’ll just slide right off. Add milk (or powdered sugar) a little at a time until you reach that perfect, drippy consistency.

Variations for your Homemade Carrot Spice Donuts

Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic recipe. Amazing! But what if you wanna jazz things up a bit? Here are a couple of fun variations to try with your Carrot Spice Donuts:

• **Nuts About Donuts:** Throw in some chopped walnuts or pecans. Seriously, the nutty crunch with the soft donut? Divine! Gently fold about 1/2 cup into the batter before baking.
• **Spice It Up (Even More!):** Want a warmer, more intense spice flavor? Add a tiny pinch of ground cloves or cardamom to the batter. Careful, though – those spices are strong, so a little goes a long way!
• **Glaze Crazy:** While I adore the cream cheese glaze, you could totally swap it out. A simple maple glaze would be fantastic, or even a bright lemon glaze for a zingy twist.

Storing Your Delicious Carrot Spice Donuts

Okay, so you’ve made a batch of these amazing Carrot Spice Donuts… and you have leftovers? First of all, congrats on your self-control. Here’s how to keep ’em fresh:

Store your leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Wanna keep them longer? Pop them in the fridge for up to 5 days, but heads up, the glaze might get a little sticky. Reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds to soften them up again. Yum!

Carrot Spice Donuts: Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about making these yummy Carrot Spice Donuts? I got you! Here are some of the most common things people ask (and my super-helpful answers, of course!).

Can I bake these as muffins instead of donuts?

Absolutely! If you don’t have a donut pan (or just feel like muffins!), you can totally bake this batter in a muffin tin. Just fill the muffin cups about two-thirds full and bake for around 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Keep an eye on them, though! Baking times can vary.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yep! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. I recommend using a blend that’s designed for baking, and that good when baking gluten free carrot donuts. You might need to add a little extra liquid (like milk or buttermilk) to the batter to get the right consistency. Just experiment until it looks good.

Can I freeze these donuts?

You sure can! For best results, I recommend freezing the donuts *unglazed*. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw completely and glaze ’em up! This keeps the glaze from getting weird in the freezer.

Are these Carrot Spice Donuts healthy?

Well, they’re still donuts, so maybe not *health food* exactly. But, hey, they’ve got carrots in them! And you can always use healthier sugar substitutes if you’re trying to cut back. Everything in moderation, right?

My cream cheese glaze is too thick/thin! What do I do?

Don’t panic! If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk (or cream) until you get the right consistency. If it’s too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar until it thickens up. It’s all about finding that sweet spot, and this’ll work even if you decide to make healthy carrot donut recipe.

Nutritional Information for Carrot Spice Donuts

Okay, so here’s the fine print: Please keep in mind that the nutritional info is just a rough estimate. It can totally change depending on the brands and ingredients you use. So, don’t take it as gospel, okay? It’s not a substitute for professional dietary advice!

Enjoyed This Carrot Spice Donuts Recipe? Leave a Comment!

Did you totally fall in love with these Carrot Spice Donuts like I did? Let me know in the comments below! I always love hearing from you. Rate the recipe, too! Oh, and if you share your donut masterpieces on social media, be sure to tag us — I want to see your creations! If you love donuts as much as this recipe, then checkout our apple cider donuts recipes!

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