Welcome to Nourished Creations: Plant-Based Recipes for Vibrant Living—a weekly invitation to slow down, savor, and reconnect with food that truly fuels you. Created in collaboration with our dear friend Violet, this series is all about making plant-based cooking feel joyful, approachable, and deeply nourishing. 

Each recipe is rooted in real life—easy to prepare, full of flavor, and inspired by the belief that the foods we choose can help us feel more energized, vibrant, and alive. Whether you’re new to plant-based eating or simply looking for fresh inspiration, you’re warmly invited into the kitchen with us.

A festive, plant-based treat with cozy spices and a holiday crunch

These vegan and gluten-free gingerbread donuts capture everything we love about the season—warming spices, rich molasses flavor, and a hint of peppermint sweetness. Soft, baked (not fried), and finished with a simple candy cane frosting, they’re a joyful treat for holiday gatherings, cozy mornings, or welcoming the New Year with intention and sweetness.

Vegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Donuts with Candy Cane Frosting

Ingredients

Gingerbread Donut Batter

  • 2 cups gluten-free flour
  • ½ cup cane sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking binder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1⅓ cups plant-based milk
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
  • 3 Tbsp blackstrap molasses
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Candy Cane Frosting

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp plant-based milk
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • Dash of ground ginger
  • 1–2 candy canes, crushed

How to Prepare

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a donut pan with coconut oil.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients until evenly combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the plant-based milk, melted coconut oil, molasses, and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Transfer the batter to a zip-top bag and snip off one corner. Pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity only to the top of the pan. Do not overfill.
  6. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the donuts are set and lightly spring back when touched.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow the donuts to cool on a wire rack while preparing the frosting.
  8. In a small, shallow bowl, mix all frosting ingredients until smooth.
  9. Dip each cooled donut into the frosting, return to the rack, and sprinkle with crushed candy cane while the frosting is still wet.
  10. Let the frosting set slightly, then enjoy!

Makes

  • 24 mini donuts or
  • 12 medium-sized donuts

Why We Love Them

These donuts bring together mindful ingredients and nostalgic flavors. With warming spices, plant-based goodness, and a baked texture that feels light yet satisfying, they’re a festive reminder that nourishing food can still feel like a celebration—perfectly aligned with Hopegrown’s nature-rooted wellness philosophy 🌱

At Hopegrown, we believe wellness is built one small, intentional moment at a time—and nothing embodies that more beautifully than preparing a meal with care. Through Nourished Creations, Violet’s recipes are here to inspire your next adventure in the kitchen, support your well-being, and remind you that healthy food can also be comforting, creative, and fun. We’re so grateful to have you along for this journey of vibrant living—one delicious, plant-powered creation at a time.