Carrot Cake Doughnut Muffins

This Carrot Cake Doughnut Muffin brings together the best of a glazed doughnut and a classic carrot cake into one elegant treat. With a luscious jam mascarpone filling and a bright orange mocha glaze topped by candied carrots, these muffins are perfect for special occasions like Easter or Mother’s Day, or just to impress at your next brunch. They look fancy but are surprisingly simple to make and deliver that comforting carrot cake flavor in a playful doughnut shape.

I first baked these for a Sunday brunch with friends and everyone fell in love with the texture and flavor combination. Now they are a requested treat whenever I want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• Milk 1 percent: keeps the batter light and moist fresh is best for smooth flavor
• Sugar: balances the spices and natural sweetness of carrots
• Vegetable oil: adds moisture and keeps muffins tender without heaviness
• Shredded carrots: freshly grated carrots ensure moist crumb and vibrant flavor
• Large eggs: help bind the muffin while adding richness
• Vanilla extract: deepens the sweetness with warm notes pure vanilla is best
• Allpurpose flour: the base for light and fluffy texture
• Baking powder: gives lift and height to the muffins
• Salt: enhances all the other flavors
• Ground cinnamon: classic spice that pairs perfectly with carrots
• Marmalade or apricot or peach jam: adds a bright fruity filling contrasting the spice
• Mascarpone cheese: creamy filling component that melts into the jam
• Cinnamon for filling: echoes the muffin spice inside
• Confectioners sugar: sweetens the glaze with smooth texture
• Chopped walnuts: adds crunch and nuttiness to glaze
• Freshly squeezed orange juice: bright acidity for glaze
• Brewed vanilla coffee: subtle coffee notes complement orange regular coffee with vanilla works, too
• Candied carrots: adds an elegant finish and textural contrast on top

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. Grease an 18cup muffin pan or line with decorative paper liners like the black and white damask ones featured. This not only prevents sticking but elevates presentation.

Mix Wet Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully blended and smooth. Using room temperature eggs and milk helps everything combine beautifully to yield an even batter.

Add Carrots:

Fold in the freshly shredded carrots until just distributed. Freshly grated carrots provide moisture and a vibrant carrot flavor that preshredded packs usually lack.

Combine Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to ensure even distribution and a light texture.

Mix Batter:

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a little at a time, mixing gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix even if there are a few small lumps left. Overmixing can toughen the muffins.

Fill Muffin Cups and Add Filling:

Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about twothirds full. Prepare the filling by stirring together your choice of jam, mascarpone cheese, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Drop about a teaspoon of this filling into the center of each muffin.

Top with Remaining Batter:

Cover the jam filling with the remaining muffin batter ensuring each cup is topped and the filling is fully encased.

Bake:

Place the tray in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the side (not the center) of a muffin comes out clean. This prevents confusion from the jam center. The muffins should be slightly golden and firm to the touch.

Cool Muffins:

Allow the muffins to cool for at least 20 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack. Cooling in the pan helps the muffins set and prevents them from falling apart when handled.

Prepare the Orange Mocha Glaze:

Whisk together confectioners sugar, chopped walnuts, freshly squeezed orange juice, and brewed vanilla coffee until smooth. The combination of orange and coffee creates a lively glaze that pairs perfectly with the earthy carrot cake notes.

Glaze and Garnish:

Spoon the orange mocha glaze evenly over the muffins. Finally, top each muffin with a small amount of candied carrots for an elegant, sweet crunch. Serve when the glaze is set.

I adore the jam mascarpone filling because it adds a lovely creamy sweetness inside, making each bite feel special. When I serve these at gatherings, the glaze and candied carrot topping always start conversations about how beautiful and unique they look as well as taste.

Storage Tips

Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain moisture. For longer storage, freeze muffins without glaze and topping in single layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw before glazing for best texture and appearance.

Ingredient Substitutions

Replace mascarpone with cream cheese for a tangier filling. Use your favorite fruit jam such as strawberry or raspberry to switch up the filling flavor. Orange juice can be substituted with lemon juice for a different citrus note in the glaze. Coffee can be replaced with espresso or omitted for a less caffeinated glaze.

Serving Suggestions

Pair these muffins with a cup of hot coffee or chai tea to complement the warm spices. Add a drizzle of extra glaze when serving to amp up sweetness or serve alongside fresh fruit or a salad for a balanced brunch spread.

These muffins feel special without being fussy, perfect for brunch or celebrations. Make them ahead and freeze undecorated for easy serving later.

Common Recipe Questions

→ How do I keep the muffins moist?

Using freshly grated carrots and not overmixing the batter helps retain moisture and creates a tender texture.

→ What is the purpose of the mascarpone jam filling?

The mascarpone jam filling adds a creamy, tangy surprise inside each muffin, balancing the sweetness and adding depth.

→ Can I substitute the orange mocha glaze?

Yes, you can replace the glaze with a simple orange or vanilla glaze, but the mocha adds a unique aromatic flavor.

→ How do I check if the muffins are done?

Insert a toothpick into the side of the muffin (avoiding the center filling) to ensure it comes out clean, indicating doneness.

→ What are the benefits of using candied carrots as a topping?

Candied carrots add a crunchy texture and a subtle sweetness that complements the moist muffin and glaze.