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    Meals » Recipes » Breakfast

    Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Mar 24, 2019 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Easy Baked Carrot Cake Donuts made from cake mix and topped with cream cheese frosting are perfect for Easter Brunch or a special treat!

    Jump to Recipe -

    baked carrot cake donuts with cream cheese frosting on baking rack

    Baked carrot cake donuts are basically 2 ingredient donuts that are made with cake mix and applesauce. If you're looking for a super easy donut recipe for Easter breakfast or brunch, this is it!

    My oldest daughter has been experimenting with different baked donut recipes, and she made these incredibly easy carrot cake donuts the other day. These cake mix donuts are made without oil or eggs, so they're lighter than most baked donut recipes but just as delicious!

    The kids are donut connoisseurs, and they practically inhaled these carrot cake donuts. We topped them off with homemade cream cheese frosting, and they really do taste like carrot cake!

    How to make carrot cake donuts from cake mix

    For the basic two ingredient donuts, you need a box of carrot cake mix and applesauce.  Just mix the cake mix and applesauce together until it's well blended.

    We used unsweetened applesauce, but you can use whatever you have. We also added a touch of cinnamon for extra flavor.

    mix carrot cake mix and applesauce in bowl

    Can you make donuts without a donut pan?

    Contains affiliate links. Please see disclosure page for information.

    You can use a mini bundt pan or improvise by adding a foil insert to a muffin tin. We tried this, but honestly a donut pan is so much easier.

    We use Wilton donut pans and love them! Next, pipe or spoon the batter into two donut pans. If you don't have a pastry bag, use a gallon freezer bag, and cut a small piece off of one corner.

    carrot cake batter in donut pan

    Pop the donuts into the oven, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The donuts should be a light golden brown, and the tops should spring back lightly when touched.

    carrot cake donuts in donut ban

    After the donuts cool down a little, transfer them to a cooling rack or plate. We used a basic homemade cream cheese frosting to top these beauties off. You can also use a glaze or your favorite frosting here.

    easy carrot cake donuts with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles on baking rack

    Don't forget the sprinkles! Donuts have to have sprinkles, right?!

    carrot cake donuts with cream cheese frosting on white plate

    More Easy 2 Ingredient Recipes

    • 2 Ingredient Bagels 
    • Two Ingredient Banana Muffins
    • Lemon Lime Soda Cake
    • Orange Crush Soda Cake

    Easy Baked Carrot Cake Donut Recipe

    baked carrot cake donuts with cream cheese frosting on baking rack

    Baked Carrot Cake Donuts

    Published by Dee
    Easy Baked Carrot Cake Donuts made from cake mix and topped with cream cheese frosting are perfect for Easter Brunch or a special treat!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Cooling Time 10 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 378 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the donuts

    • 1 box carrot cake mix
    • 1 ⅔ cups applesauce
    • dash of cinnamon optional

    For cream cheese frosting

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ½ cup butter softened
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • 3 tablespoons whipping cream or 2 tablespoons milk

    Instructions
     

    For the donuts

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees
    • Spray donut pans with non stick baking spray
    • Mix cake mix and applesauce in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Add a dash of cinnamon, if desired
    • Spoon batter into a piping bag or a gallon freezer storage bag, and cut the tip off of one corner
    • Pipe batter into each cavity about two-thirds full
    • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until donuts bounce back lightly when pressed 
    • Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing to a baking rack to cool completely

    For the frosting

    • Cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth
    • Add in the vanilla and stir until fully combined
    • Gradually mix in the powdered sugar
    • Stir in the whipping cream
    • Spread frosting over the donuts and top with sprinkles 

    Notes

    Add milk instead of whipping cream for a thinner frosting.
    For thick frosting, omit  cream or milk.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 378kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 429mgPotassium: 77mgSugar: 36gVitamin A: 555IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you enjoy this easy donut recipe as much as we do!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle says

      June 24, 2021 at 12:59 pm

      Sweetened or unsweetened applesauce?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 24, 2021 at 1:33 pm

        I always use unsweetened, since that's what I buy. Sweetened works, but the donuts may taste even sweeter.

    2. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      March 28, 2019 at 8:52 am

      I need to try this immediately, it looks so good!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 28, 2019 at 9:16 am

        I hope you get a chance, Erin. Thanks! 🙂

    3. Paula says

      March 26, 2019 at 8:19 am

      I think it's time I get my doughnut pan out again!

      Reply
    4. Beth Pierce says

      March 25, 2019 at 8:57 pm

      What a great idea as a healthier alternative than traditional donuts, and just in time for Easter, too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 26, 2019 at 9:40 am

        Thanks, Beth! These are definitely going on our Easter menu. 🙂

    5. Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says

      March 25, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      What a perfect way to celebrate spring! Think I will make a batch this weekend!

      Reply
    6. Jade Manning says

      March 25, 2019 at 11:37 am

      How awesome I love this idea!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 26, 2019 at 9:39 am

        Thanks, Jade! We loved them. 🙂

    7. Demeter says

      March 25, 2019 at 10:55 am

      I love how easy these are to make using a cake mix. So clever! Can't wait to make them.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 26, 2019 at 9:38 am

        These donuts are super easy! Hope you like them. 🙂

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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