Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts with Maple Coconut Icing (Vegan)

Hey! Happy Friday! I have to say that this just might be one of the first weeks ever that Friday got here this fast and, while I’m super excited that it’s the weekend, I almost wish I had another few weekdays.

Obviously it’s because I haven’t been able to post much in a while, but still. Should there be concern about my mental health just for thinking like this? Also, I’m extremely torn about the season changing here. Between my recent traveling in warmer (and then colder) areas and being sick for what seemed like forever, it’s as if I haven’t had the chance to catch up with the fact that summer is over. It’s pretty sad because summer is my favorite time of year in Patagonia and I feel like I missed some of my opportunities to enjoy it.

Alright, but enough about nuances like weather when we clearly have more important things to discuss. I’m going to cut to the chase today and get to the good stuff, you know, because putting doughnuts off is just not an option. In fact, it’s almost cruel. Oh, and the best news ever is that these yummies are healthy doughnuts!

Not to bring the weather back up, but regardless of where I live I think my mind will always relate March/April to Springtime since that’s the way it is for most of the world’s population and the way it used to be for me too. That said, carrot cake just has to be part of the package too. And like I always say……what better way to have your carrot cake and eat it too than in the form of a doughnut??? Well, maybe I don’t always say that but I it fits at the moment so let’s go with it.

So in case you missed this little detail, this recipe is vegan. Oh and there is no refined flour and very little refined sugar if you want to do the glaze, which the glaze is optional, and I understand if you don’t want to add the extra sugar. But it’s also seriously delicious and I mean, you don’t have to add a ton of it. Just a little drizzle gives the perfect finishing touch to make these sweet enough for an indulgent breakfast, snack, or just an anytime treat you can feel good about.

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Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts with Maple Coconut Icing (Vegan)

You've had doughnuts and you've had carrot cake, but have you ever imagined them together? This recipe is simple, healthy, and delicious!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 12 doughnuts

Ingredients

• 1 5.5oz can full-fat coconut milk (about 1 2/3 cup)
• 1 cup raw turbinado sugar (or regular if you prefer)
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal + 2 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1 cup canned pineapple minced, plus 1/2 cup of juice from can
• 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
• 3/4 cup unsweetened dessicated coconut shreds
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour

Icing: (Optional)

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Doughnuts:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C) and grease 2 6-count doughnut pans very well with oil. Whisk together the coconut milk, sugar, and flax seed meal in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Add the vanilla, salt, soda, and spices and mix well.
2. Pour in the pineapple and additional juice, then fold in the walnuts, coconut shreds, and grated carrots. Mix in the flour last until you have a very thick batter.
3. Divide the batter between all 12 slots in the doughnut pans (note that each slot will be piled pretty high but that's okay. Place pans in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the tops start to brown, then remove one pan at a time and use a spoon to spread the batter in the center and clear the holes in the center of each doughnut. Repeat for the other pan then return to oven and continue baking them until the edges are very dark and the doughnuts have somewhat shrunken in size. Now remove the pans from the oven and allow to cool completely before removing the doughnuts. To loosen them once cooled, use a small spoon to gently loosen all the edges then invert the pan over a tray or cutting board to shake them loose.

Icing:

1. For the optional icing, warm the cocnut oil for a few seconds in a small saucepan ir microwave safe bowl until just soft enough to stir. Add the maple syup, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Drizzle over cooled doughnuts as desired.