Carrot Cake Donuts (nut free)

I don’t know what it is about carrot cake, but I effing love it. Like really REALLY love it. People who don’t love carrot cake are strange. You know who you are. So why not make cake into donuts?! Boom. If you don’t have a donut pan, thankfully I have these in cupcake version too! Boom.

Oh lord, dating rant is coming on. You were warned Grant.

Ok so I think it’s time I start actually dating someone. It doesn’t exactly work like that, but I’m at least trying. I’ve been on some dates, but been bored. Where are these funny guys? I need someone who is funny. And most people don’t have that quality. I’ve honestly only ever had a handful of guys in this world that could make me laugh really hard. One of which is Afghanistan. And is my best friend. Fail.

The thing is, I think I take better care of my hair when I have someone to actually take care of my hair for. I know, I can hear it now, feminist anger at that fact, but it’s the truth. If I am dating someone, I try a bit harder. It should be the other way around, but when I’m single I just don’t give a crap. I go to the gym, hang out with all men who are in love with their pretty lady friends, then I bro out, then hang out with more friends. Why the hell would I even do my hair? Or shave my legs?

Moral of the story: my hair is REALLY greasy. Therefore I need an attractive male, who loves food, and is hilarious. Oh, and he needs to lift more than me. Don’t any of my women readers out there have brothers? I mean, come on.

Oh, and dear human who thought it was a good idea to park their molester style van outside of our house in an attempt to sell it…you’re an asshole. Straight up. Not only are you taking up 3 parking spaces, but you’re creepin’ us out. God knows what you’re holding in that van of yours. And we dislike it. I am THIS close to calling the for sale number and being rude. I probably won’t BUT I MIGHT! You were warned.

Print

Carrot Cake Donuts (nut free)

  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large carrots, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seed butter
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/8 cup chopped walnuts (optional-do not use for nut free version)
  • 1/8 cup raisins (optional)

For the frosting

  • 1/4 cup coconut butter, melted to be just a bit soft
  • sprinkle of slivered almonds (optional- do not use for nut free version)
  • carrots zested on top

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Shred carrots using your shredding attachment with your food processor or cheese grater.
  3. Add your carrots to a large bowl and add sunflower seed butter, vanilla extract, and honey, mix well.
  4. Then add your eggs and mix into a soupy mess.
  5. Lastly add your coconut flour, baking soda and powder, and the rest of your spices. If you’d like to use raisins and walnuts, add those as well.
  6. Place mixture in your greased donut pan. Mine mixture made 6 donuts.
  7. Bake for 23-25 minutes.
  8. Let cool.
  9. Top donuts off with coconut butter, almonds, and a bit of zested carrot.
  10. Eat em. OMG.

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PaleOMG Carrot Cake Donuts

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Oh, Hi! I’m Juli.

I’m a food hoarder. And a really bad dancer. If you don’t know me well, you will probably not understand my humor. Therefore, I apologize ahead of time. Thanks for listening to my ramblings of my ever-changing life and trusting my kitchen mishaps. Your trust in me is appreciated.

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101 thoughts on “Carrot Cake Donuts (nut free)”

  1. My lord you are hilarious girl. Here I am reading your blog and thinking of my grocery list, while I should be catching my zzzzzzzs. Ps. Totally get ya about the hair.

  2. No wonder you haven’t got a man, walking around with hairy legs and greasy hair come on Jules sort it out. Maybe you should ring the molester van number and try your luck there.

    On the upside you can cook and the carrot cake donuts look pretty good.

  3. These look amazing! Must make them. Carrot Cake is the bomb. Why don’t I have the ingredients in my house?! Sigh.

    I’d totally take you out on a date if you were in to the ladies. Hah.

  4. These look amazing! I soooo need to get a muffin pan! (I own every other kitchen gadget imaginable, lol)
    As for the dating thing…..Have you tried online? (I know, I know) It took me forever to actually give in and sign up myself, but it can work. I met my husband on FitnessSingles. Good Luck!

  5. Holy beauty. When will the donut-pan-makers start making donut-pans in the USofA? Only then can I make deliciousness. Does anyone know of US-made donut pans? Maybe Rogue should get into the bakeware business…

  6. You mighttt want to read the crossfit journal article (if you are subscribed) called When Murph met Cindy. It will confirm everything you feel about dating and might even make you feel worse about the situation (as it did for me) but it is SO true and such a good read.

  7. Carrots were created so they could be turned into carrot cake. Plain and simple. Question, I don’t have coconut flour have you tried these with almond flour? I know they won’t be nut free and that’s okay.

    BTW, does the van have a sweet air brushed picture on it? If it does, I would buy that and drive it around town…..

  8. Soooo.. These look awesome, but do you have any recommendations for nixing the eggs?? My BF and I do paleo, but he’s allergic to eggs and I feel bad making these all to myself…kind of.

  9. Holy Balls!!! those like amazing and I’ve cheated a few times with carrot cake, this is perfect! I have everything except the sunflower seed butter, can I use any type of subsititute ?? Thanks for making my day…

  10. Holy balls!!! those look amazing, and I’ve cheated a few times with carrot cake, this is perfect!! I have everything except the sun flower butter, can I use anything else to substitute??? Thanks for making my day..

  11. ohhh! ohhh! pick me! i got one! well i got 3 bros but the oldest would be perfect for u! they are strong and hunky and our entire family is completely ridiculous and stupid….u would fit in perfect! i always told them that they didnt get to pick their future wives….that its my decision and i would be stupid excited to add u to our goofy group. next time u are east coast look me up!

  12. Ok, I think you got it backwards…you’re supposed to keep yourself up now and once you got the guy hooked you can have greasy hair and chewbaca legs! 😉 Just sayin’
    I have 2 brothers but 1) they’re taken and 2) you could totally kick their butts…which I would pay to see! Sorry.

  13. Well atleast i’m not the only one….I hate to admit how many times i’ve not showered/and or not brushed my hair before leaving to coach the 6am class. It’s always a treat coming home in the afternoons, looking in the mirror and wondering if i’ve really looked like this all day! When you find a guy hopefully he has a hot brother in Ohio, equally as funny and strong you can set me up with….i’m struggling in the man dept!

  14. I just bought our first donut pan over the weekend for the choc one you have listed – but this one looks even better!!! Wow

  15. Recipes like this make me want a donut pan, but cupcakes sound just as yummy and exciting.
    I do have a brother but he is only 17. I am dragging him to his first crossfit this weekend, so maybe he will be a good candidate for you in a couple of years.

  16. I don’t know if I can lift more than you…

    Attractive/funny are in the eye/ear of the beholder….

    I DO love food! 😉

    I’ve been thinking about getting a donut pan since you’ve been posting these great looking donut recipes. This one did it, getting one this weekend! I’m a cop so you know I love donuts (they train it into us in the academy) but I haven’t had one in over 5 years just because of the stereotype. Now I can have them again with a clear conscience. Thanks again Juli!

  17. I mean…you should date Sergio. He’s hot and you get along so well already. Boom. I can’t be the only one who supports this idea

  18. Oh my goodness Juli when I saw that picture of the donut and it said nut free I felt like I kids on Christmas morning. Carrot cake is my favorite dessert that I always wanted it to be my wedding cake when I was little. Also just like you I have horrible acne on my chin that won’t go away, I eat clean, exercise ALOT get plenty of sleep and the shit won’t go away. So i’m convinced its the nuts since I eat so much, so of course I had to cut nuts out ( my friend made fun of me and said that I should maybe cut out all nuts including human form lol) I have 2 older brothers one is 27 and 29 but one is a redneck so I don’t think you would go for that and the 29 year old might be a match but he has a 7 year old brat (love her to death but she can push my buttons)

  19. If I had a brother, I’d totally let you date him. He’d be cute too, my parents are attractive people, so I know you’d be happy looking at the brother I don’t have. I would require food in return though. Sigh, it would have worked out well for us all. Damn my parents for only making me!

  20. I can toooootally relate to this dating rant!!! Here’s the thing 1- a LOT of men i meet cannot lift more than me, you really just have to find someone you get along with that thinks it’s damn AWESOME you lift like a boss and is NOT intimidated by it whatsoever…from my experience, the skinny dudes i’ve dated would comment that I shouldn’t “work out” so much. ludicrious…. 2- take care of yourself and get out there!!! if dudes see you as like a bro all the time, it’s tough. you gotta show them you are a lady ( but stay your wicked beastly self ! 😉 ) ! that’s my two cents! hey, i am in the same boat, and meet douchie boys too often

  21. There aren’t enough funny guys out there, too many of them are way too uptight…LAME.

    By the way your food photography is awesome! I got my undergrad in photography and did a little food photography during school, it definitely isn’t as easy as you make it look!!

  22. My hub’s younger bro is like 23 and in med school in Houston. He cannot lift more than you and would probably die trying BUT he is hilarious and will be rich someday.

  23. I super appreciate all the nut-free baking recipes lately! I don’t have a sensitivity, but some of those recipes with 3.5 cups of almond flour or whatever, are sooooo caloric and just feel like a rock in your gut. These are a great alternative!

  24. Don’t worry Juli I never wash my hair either…. Like maybe once a week. Dry shampoo is my friend. Shaving your legs everyday is overrated!

  25. Wow, I feel EXACTLY the same way as you! I bro-out with my friends at CrossFit and then with my dude friends at work who then go home to their girlfriends and I go home to my cat. Being one-of-the-guys is both awesome and sucky. Sigh.

  26. Put out a Craigslist add for a date. I’m sure all of your suitors would be legit, I mean how could they not be, its Craigslist.

  27. juli,

    this looks so good! how do you get your coconut butter to have a frosting like consistency? the picture looks very much like frosting and i just can’t get my coconut butter that smooth

  28. Ok you would love my son. He is hilarously funny. Loves food and working out. Is absolutly fabulous at Kung Fu and Parkour. He’s in north dakota though. but his grandpa lives in Salida 🙂

  29. TOOOTALLY feel you on the greasy hair and hairy legs girl! Thank god I have a bf around or i’d be chewbacca!! Espesh when you’re working out daily, what’s the point in washing?? I can’t imagine if I worked in a gym…I’d prob never shower 😉

    Keep up the musings and amazing recipes, love it!!

  30. Actually, I do have a brother! He’s single, paleo and does crossfit! He’s 6’3 and pretty built so I’d be willing to bet he could beat you in a lifting contest. And did I mention, carrot cake is his absolute favorite dessert? Pretty sure he’d be in love with you after tasting these. Perfect match, right? I’ll have to send him your way.

  31. Is coconut a “nut”?…I hope not as allergenic as others!…I seem to have issues with nuts in general..These look fabulous, by the way…and I love your blog and fantastic wit..Avid fan and follower. You make paleo so pleasurable!

  32. If you find a dude, ask HIM if he has a brother and hook me up. Where are the good guys?! (…all married….dang it.) 😉

    Recipe looks delicious. Can’t wait to make it!

  33. This was tasty and my 3 yr old agreed. I couldn’t get my coconut butter to look anything close to that…..just saw a tip so I’ll try adding coconut oil next time 🙂

  34. juli – first time writing to you but as a hairstylist you should know that i only wash my hair a few times a week also. its better for it. you do not want your hair to be stripped of its natural oils but if you feel self conscious about it, a tip is to just take some baby powder and lightly sprinkle on your hands and apply to roots – takes out the shine! or buy dry shampoo =) i just started reading your blog and eating paleo and you are very insprining! my husband is currently serving in afganistan too. you need to find yourself a marine, they love to eat, love sarcastic women and might be able to lift more than you, might =)

  35. Any idea why these turned green the next day? I baked them at 6:00 last night (they were delishous!) and let them set overnight on my counter…this morning they looked a litlle green! They couldn’t have possibly molded that fast…you had this happen Julie?

    1. That’s super weird Tracey, since that didn’t happen to me. But it could depend on your climate. Try just putting them in the fridge next time since there are no preservatives in them.

      1. Ok, super weird again. I made another batch and put them in the refridgerator. Green this morning. I wonder if it’s something in the new pans I’m using? Oh well, a little green won’t stop me from eating them 🙂 Thanks Juli!

      1. I had never baked with sunflower butter before so I had a suspicion that thats what made it turn green..i was right (sunflower butter + baking soda= green!)! “sunflower butter has the unique property of turning green under certain baking conditions! The naturally occurring chlorogenic acid that is found in all plant leaves and stems is also present in the seeds of the sunflower. Chlorogenic acid is an antioxidant and is one of the reasons that sunflower butter is good for you (as well as being a great source of vegetable protein, potassium, vitamin E, and other vitamins and minerals). When chlorogenic acid meets alkaline baking conditions (i.e., if you add baking soda), it turns a dark green. This completely harmless effect happens after the cookies completely cool down (and increases with additional hours.)”

  36. In the oven now! Mine made 9…how full can I fill the donut pan? I filled the rounds about flush with the top, do you fill them a bit more than that? Oph, there’s my buzzer! Gotta get em out of the oven 🙂

  37. Mine turned green, too. It’s probably some sort of chemical reaction with the sunflower seed butter (my guess; I have absolutely no evidence to back this up). I live on the central california coast. Maybe the muffins (no donut pan here, made muffins) don’t like sea air? It does not affect the taste at all, but they do look kind of strange.

    But guess what? I like ’em, so my house is gonna be filled with green muffins. It’ll keep the pain in the ass bystanders away (MOAR for me!!!!).

    1. I found this on the Sunbutter site:

      Why did my cookies turn green?

      When substituting SunButter in your existing recipe, you may have to reduce the baking soda/powder by approx. 1/3 to start. The chlorogenic acid (chlorophyll) in sunflower seeds react with the baking soda/powder when baked causing the green color when the product cools down. Depending on the recipe, even a splash of lemon juice could help.

  38. Absolutely delicious!!!! Made these last night and used my mini donut pan which worked really well. It made about 25 and I only have 12 left. My husband ate 1/2 the batch this morning 🙂

  39. I am so glad to hear someone else’s turned green the next day, even in the fridge…I ate them anyway! They were still delish! My husband is a bit hesitant though…oh well, more fore me! I guess it was the sun butter???

      1. Mine turned green too – really green, like it had blueberries in it, ate them anyway and delic! Good to know about the reaction – I make my own baking powder with cream of tartar and baking soda so the additional baking soda the recipe call for may have been too much. I’ll cut back on the BS and try a squeeze of lemon juice next time. They are good plain, w coconut butter and for those who are primal, a bit of cream cheese mixed with a drop of maple syrup is totally num.

  40. I haven’t read through all of the comments but can I use almond butter to substitute for sunflower seed butter? I live in the Philippines and I can’t get the sunflower seed butter here. Almond butter- only one place sells it. IF you can get it the cost is about 15 usd a jar! 🙁

  41. Made these in my kid’s li’l Babycakes donut maker. I just knew they were going to stick… but alas, donut perfection! Snow day happiness.

  42. Hi Juli,
    LOVE your recipes. Everyone’s fretting over the donut pan so I’m wondering…can’t I just use a muffin pan? Or better yet, a tube pan or loaf pan and make a carrot cake? I could adjust the baking time and check it as needed.
    That would work wouldn’t it?!

  43. I’m glad to see that I was not the only one with green donuts! These were tasty! I bought a donut pan just to make these and am very pleased with my purchase! Those chocolate banana ones are next!

  44. People who do not like Carrot Cake/Donuts are a strange breed. You, are hilarious and spot on in the greasy hair, unshaven legs and ROFL need. You Rock ! Keep it up and for heaven’s sake…keep writing !

  45. I didn’t see this question in the comments but are you using whole cloves or ground cloves? I imagine it is ground but it never hurts to ask.

    1. Okay, made these as muffin/cupcakes because my donut pan is lost somewhere in USPS hell. They were awesome and my 20 month old son devoured almost half of mine when I wasn’t paying attention. My 4 year old daughter was too full to eat the cupcake so she just licked the ‘frosting’ off and declared it yummy. Thanks!

  46. I made these this weekend. My two year old devoured them. I liked them as well. Question: I went to grab one this morning for my breakfast and the tops of them were GREEN…..any idea if this is normal?

  47. I made these over the weekend. They were terrific. My two year old devoured them too. Question: I went to grab one this morning for breakfast and the tops of them were green…is this normal? I am just recently (as in this past weekend) trying to convert to paleo.

  48. These look great. I have everything except the sunflower butter. Is there anything else that I can replace that with? Also do you need to squeeze the water from the carrots? I don’t think so but I have to ask.

    Thank you,
    Jennifer

  49. Sooo, I don’t have almond butter or sunflower butter. If I just used regular butter would the recipe explode? I’m not actually a paleo-eater, I just like healthifying my cake 🙂

  50. While I love your recipes, I stick around for your blog. You have a great sense of humor & seem like such a fun person! I cracked up with the greasy hair rant–I feel your pain. Two words: dry shampoo. It will change your life! Or at least disguise the funky. 🙂

  51. I made these on Friday. Was dubious about their success as so much wet ingredients and so little dry. But. They. Were. Amazing. You are a very talented paleo baker! Thank you.

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