Description
Delight in these Gluten Free & Vegan Caramel Doughnuts, a perfect guilt-free treat that combines fluffy, cakey doughnuts with a rich, homemade vegan caramel sauce. Made with simple plant-based ingredients and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and maple syrup, these doughnuts are ideal for anyone craving a delicious dessert without gluten or animal products.
Ingredients
Scale
Doughnuts
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other plant milk)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegan Caramel
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 6-cavity doughnut pan or line with silicone doughnut molds to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the almond milk, unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Form Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a smooth batter forms, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Fill Doughnut Pan: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared doughnut pan cavities, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
- Bake Doughnuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a doughnut comes out clean and the tops are lightly golden.
- Cool Doughnuts: Remove the doughnuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Vegan Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut cream, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the caramel thickens.
- Cool and Drizzle Caramel: Allow the caramel sauce to cool slightly to thicken further, then drizzle generously over the cooled doughnuts before serving.
Notes
- For an elevated flavor contrast, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel-drizzled doughnuts just before serving.
- Store doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days for extended freshness.
- The vegan caramel can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before drizzling.
