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    Home » Recipes » Donuts

    Gluten Free Carrot Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Icing

    Published: Sep 15, 2018 · Modified: Sep 9, 2022 by Christine · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Gluten Free Carrot Cake Donuts

    Donuts are overflowing on my kitchen counter and they are looking so good!

    But these donuts are different – they are not fried or greasy and yet have the most amazing taste brought on by fresh ingredients like carrots, spices and Greek yogurt.

    And with a dollop of yummy cream cheese icing, these donuts are taken to a whole new level.

    But just how do you make non-fried, gluten free donuts that taste as good as these sound?

    It’s easier than you think.

     

    donuts sprinkled with pecans on a white paper

    Making Gluten Free Carrot Cake Donuts

    Two bowls and a donut pan

    gluten free carrot cake donuts batter

    All you need are two bowls and a donut pan to get this recipe started. Mix up the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in the other bowl and then combine the two. That’s it. Get your donut pan prepared and you have your batter ready to go!

    Note: This recipe uses my gluten-free-bread flour blend, find the recipe for it here: Gluten-Free-Bread flour blend

    Oh, and wondering what type of donut pan I use? Here’s the one I love: Wilton Donut Pans

    Use a plastic bag for piping out the batter

    A simple plastic bag is one of your best kitchen tools – use it for fillings, frostings AND filling up a donut pan! In this gluten free carrot cake donut recipe, the batter is poured into the bag and then once you snip off the edge, it can be easily portioned into the pan. And you don’t make a mess in the process.

    gluten free carrot cake donuts donut pan

    Toast the pecans

    I’ve used untoasted pecans in this recipe before and let me tell you, it is not the same. Toasting the pecans just brings out a deep richness that just doesn’t compare. They’re easy to toast too – just spread them evenly on a plate and place them in the microwave, watching them closely, microwave on high for 1 – 3 minutes, depending on the intensity you prefer.

    gluten free carrot cake donuts cream cheese icing

    Make the icing

    It just doesn’t get any better than homemade cream cheese icing on top of these donuts. And it’s incredibly easy to mix up – just some cream cheese and powdered sugar and you have an icing that’s fit for a king, or donut in this case! Just a sprinkling of pecans and you’re all ready enjoy these little bites of yum.

     

    halved donut sitting on a white paper

    And now for the recipe for these delicious gluten free carrot cake donut with cream cheese icing.

    gluten free carrot cake donuts cream cheese icing

    Gluten Free Carrot Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Icing

    These gluten free carrot cake donuts with a cream cheese icing are the delicious way to start the day!
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    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Cooling time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 37 minutes
    Servings: 12 donuts
    Calories: 307kcal
    Author: Christine

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ¼ cup white sugar
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 2 eggs
    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup shredded carrot
    • 1 ½ cups gluten-free-bread flour blend
    • 2 tsp. psyllium husk powder
    • 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp. ground ginger
    • ¼ tsp. nutmeg
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • ½ tsp. baking soda
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • ½ cup chopped pecans + ¼ cup toasted chopped pecans

    Cream Cheese Icing

    • 3 Tbsp. butter softened
    • 4 Tbsp. cream cheese softened
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
    • 1 – 2 Tbsp. milk

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 425 F. Spray two donut pans with cooking spray. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, cream together the sugars and the oil. Add in the Greek yogurt, eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Add in the shredded carrot and mix just until combined.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the gluten-free-bread flour blend, psyllium husk powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
    • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well. Fold in the ½ cup chopped pecans.
    • Transfer the batter to a large plastic bag. Snip off a corner and evenly pipe the better into the donut pans.
    • Bake the donuts at 425 F for 5 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350 F and bake for another 7 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Remove from the oven and transfer the donuts to a cooking rack.

    To make the icing

    • In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese. Add in the vanilla, then the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Add in the milk, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until the cream cheese icing is thin enough to spread easily.
    • Once the donuts are cool, spread the tops of the donuts with a dab of icing then sprinkle with the toasted pecans. Repeat with remaining donuts.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    • To easily portion these donuts, snip a hole in a plastic bag and portion the batter out.
    • These donuts can be on you table in under 45 minutes.
    • Easily toast pecans in the microwave - just be sure to watch them as they can burn easily.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 1980IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 0.9mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @zest_for_baking or tag #zestforbaking!

     

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    Comments

    1. Michele Nakamura

      May 10, 2019 at 2:33 pm

      Can i make these in a muffin pan? Dont want to buy something i may only use one time. Thanks

      Reply
      • Christine

        May 14, 2019 at 8:42 pm

        Hi Michele,

        You could but you'd need to extend the baking time. I have not made them in one but try baking them at 375 for 20 - 25 minutes.

        Hope that helps!

        Reply

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    Christine Brady.

    Hi, I'm Christine, a gluten free baker living in sunny Texas! Zest for Baking is where you'll find gluten free (and dairy free) recipes, tips for substituting ingredients and help navigating the world of gluten free baking.

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    Since 2013, Christine has been helping readers with gluten free baking challenges and substitution issues, all while creating delicious gluten free baking recipes that no one would guess are actually gluten free. Her Zest For Baking recipes have been featured on The Daily Meal, Bloglovin' and Dr. Axe, to name a few. When she's not hanging out on Facebook or sharing pictures on Instagram or pinning on Pinterest, you can find her in her kitchen, creating more ZestForBaking.com recipes!

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