We live close to a very good donut shop and every time we are out for a stroll my kids are asking for donuts. We do order from there on special occasions, but I don’t want to be offering sweet fried dessert THAT often. I got to thinking and experimenting on a healthy version one evening and after some trial and error, I created the best homemade donuts!
Tell me about it:
These donuts are dense, moist and so tasty! There are two vital elements to these perfect baked treats. First is the combination of almond flour and coconut flour, the blend of these two ingredients creates a melt-in-your-mouth donut. Next is the spices, when you mix cinnamon and nutmeg something magical happens and the flavor profile goes to new levels. The rest is a bonus, especially the velvety maple cream cheese frosting. No need for refined sugar here – the donuts are sweetened using maple syrup. Maple syrup is also the sweetener in the cream cheese frosting which is so good and simple to whip up.
Consider making these with your kids or surprise them with a sweet treat Sunday morning. opt out of the frosting and these are a great handheld food for baby-led weaning.
What you will need:
Carrots – finely grated carrots are key in this carrot donut recipe. Some alternatives options include grated zucchini or apples and are a delicious substitution that keeps these donuts moist.
Almond flour/coconut flour – The combination of almond flour and coconut flour makes these donuts melt in your mouth. It is surprising how little you need but these measurements work.
Coconut oil and eggs – To moisten the donuts use these two ingredients. One tablespoon of oil is just enough to keep these donuts moist and light.
Spices – The flavor powerhouse lies with these 3 ingredients: cinnamon and nutmeg and vanilla
Maple syrup – To sweeten these delicious treats, use maple syrup. You can use alternatives such as honey or regular white or brown sugar, but I love the sweetness that maple syrup brings to the dessert.
Cream cheese frosting – requires cream cheese of course, a splash of milk (you can use any) and maple syrup once more to sweeten the frosting.
Tips and Tricks:
- Grease your donut tin so donuts slip out easily and you have perfect donut forms
- Use fresh crisp carrots and grate finely. Doing this blends the carrots well with the batter.
- Scoop or pipe your batter. I don’t have fancy piping bags; I just scooped the batter into a zip lock corner and cut the tip to squeeze the batter into my circle rounds.
- Wait for the donuts to slightly cool before adding frosting.
Carrot Donuts with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 6 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A gluten-free, refined sugar-free baked donut made with almond flour maple syrup topped with a velvety cream cheese maple frosting. A sweet but healthy treat for all.
Ingredients
Donut:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 tbs coconut flour
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbs coconut oil
- 1 tbs vanilla
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 carrot grated, about half a cup
Frosting (optional):
- 3 tbs of plain cream cheese
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 1 tbs milk of choice
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and grate carrots finely. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease your donut pan
- In a bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and baking soda.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and add grated carrots, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut oil.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir until well-mixed.
- Spray the donut tray with oil and add batter to the forms. I use a Ziploc bag to “pipe” my batter into the donut forms. Do this by scooping your batter to one corner of the bag, and use scissors to cut and pour your batter a little more than halfway up the pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- While baking, make the icing by combining cream cheese, milk, and maple syrup. whisk until well combined.
- Remove donuts from the oven and place them on a cooling rack. Once cooled, drizzle with cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Leave these on the counter in an airtight container or place them in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- You can freeze these donuts with or without the cream cheese frosting for up to 3 months. You can thaw or defrost in the toaster oven (reheat mode).
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake these donuts in your muffin pan at 350°F for 18-20 minutes and add the cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
