Carrot Cake + Red Velvet Cake Donuts!

We thought it would be fun to try our hand at making a few fancy cake donuts. Elsie and I just love Red Velvet and Carrot Cake cupcakes so we thought we'd try making these flavors into cake donuts! If you've never had a cake donut before you are in for a treat-they are little different than traditional donuts as they are more dense and rich in flavor.

 

Carrot Cake Donuts makes 1 dozen

 

Needed: 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot.

 

Red Velvet Cake Donuts makes 1 dozen

 

Needed: 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few drops of concentrated red food dye. 

For each of these donuts the method is the same. Combine the vegetable shortening and sugar, add in the egg, evaporated milk and vanilla and mix until combined. If making the Red Velvet add the food dye at this stage. Now add in the remaining ingredients and stir. Then use your clean hands to form the dough into a ball, cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate over night. 

Roll out the dough, 1/2 inch thick and use cookie cutters or biscuit cutters to cut out your donuts. I used heart shaped ones for the Red Velvet donuts-just for fun! Heat 2-3 inches of vegetable shortening to 375 F. I highly recommend using a candy thermometer for this step. And remember to use extreme caution when working with liquids this hot! Carefully lay a few donuts in the hot oil at a time. Allow them to cook for 1-2 minutes, flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or tongs and place on a  plate with paper towels. And don't forget to fry up the donut holes too!

For the cream cheese frosting pictured I simply combined 1/2 block softened cream cheese, 1 stick softened butter and 1 cup powder sugar. The frosting is optional, but I highly recommend cream cheese with anything Red Velvet or Carrot Cake flavored. :) xo. Emma

Comments

[Erica]

Thanks for sharing!! I ♥ Donuts!!!!

[Cassie M]

what a great idea!now i have a serious craving for donuts!yummy!

[Mama Smith]

These look way to perfect to be made at home! I've never made my own doughnuts but the post makes me want to try it... and also makes me wonder why there aren't more heart shaped ones :)

[Brighton]

ohhh those look so yummy! I love cake doughnuts :)

http://www.brightontheday.com

[meesch]

oh my gosh you've got to be kidding with these! They both sound amazing, I'm very intrigued by the carrot cake ones!

-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com

[Miranda]

Oh my god looks amazing! I love home made doughnuts! We make them when camping every year.
-Miranda

[call me debbie]

Cake donuts? I have never heard or eaten
something like this! So cake flavor in a
donut shape? Well that's genius!
Well, well done for choosing a salty donut to present, bored all these sweet donuts, so much sugar is not tasty!!! :|

(Pls check my new blog guys: http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com)

[Lindsay]

Yum!!! Those look SO GOOD. Cake donuts are my favorite!

[Lauren Hairston Collado]

We have a really tasty local donut place that specializes in cake donuts, so I haven't gotten around to making any myself. These do look pretty darn fabulous!

[Tori]

Yummy! Wish there was a way to make them in my dorm room! ;)

[Vanita]

Everything looks delish.

A jewelry blog.
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[Megan Lane]

yummmm!! i think it's time i try my hand at homemade donuts. carrot cake is my fave.

[sal]

oh man there goes my diet

[K]

I love carrot cake but I never try carrot cake donuts. Looks delicious.

[Margherita]

Unbelievable!!!!!

[Hillary]

Red velvet donuts! I'm definitely trying those for Valentine's Day!

http://www.thoreausdaughter.com/

[Jane]

these are so sweet! I love your baking posts, keep coming up with more lovely inventions :) :) :)

[Jessica]

Red velvet donuts?! Oh man..this wouldn't be good for my diety life style change.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

wow these look delicious! Going to have to save them for a good occasion!

[Charlotte]

Oooh these look gorgeous!