Harvest Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts

As the leaves begin to change and a crispness fills the autumn air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice wafting from your kitchen. These Baked Pumpkin Donuts are the quintessential fall treat, offering a perfect blend of warmth, sweetness, and tender texture. Forget the hassle of deep-frying; this recipe delivers irresistibly moist, perfectly spiced donuts with a delightful pumpkin spice sugar coating, all ready in under 30 minutes. They’re an absolute game-changer for your fall breakfast, brunch, or dessert cravings!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Baked Pumpkin Donuts

If you’re searching for a simple yet spectacular seasonal treat, look no further. Our baked pumpkin donuts are designed to impress with minimal effort, making them a staple in your autumn recipe collection. Here’s why these delightful donuts will quickly become a family favorite:

• Unmatched Moist & Tender Texture: Unlike some baked goods that can turn dry, these donuts are incredibly moist and tender. The pumpkin puree not only infuses them with rich flavor but also contributes to their wonderfully soft crumb, ensuring every bite is pure bliss.
• Perfectly Balanced Pumpkin Spice Flavor: We’ve carefully crafted the spice blend to capture the essence of fall. With notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, each donut is a celebration of autumn flavors, perfectly complementing the natural sweetness of pumpkin.
• Effortlessly Easy & Quick: Say goodbye to complicated recipes and lengthy baking times. These baked pumpkin donuts come together in about 30 minutes from start to finish, making them ideal for a spontaneous weekend treat or a quick weeknight indulgence.
• A Healthier Indulgence: Baking instead of deep-frying means less oil and fewer calories without compromising on flavor or texture. You can enjoy these delicious donuts guilt-free, knowing they’re a lighter alternative to traditional fried varieties. Plus, no greasy mess or lingering deep-fry smell in your kitchen!
• Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re serving them with your morning coffee, as a delightful brunch item, an afternoon snack, or a cozy dessert, these pumpkin donuts fit seamlessly into any occasion. They’re also perfect for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or Thanksgiving breakfasts.
• Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: Made with common pantry staples, this recipe uses fresh pumpkin puree to deliver authentic flavor. You won’t need any exotic ingredients, making them accessible for every home baker.
• Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Both children and adults adore these donuts. Their appealing shape, sweet coating, and comforting flavor make them an instant hit with any crowd, guaranteeing empty plates every time.

Essential Ingredients for Your Pumpkin Donuts

Creating these delightful baked pumpkin donuts requires a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture.

For the Moist Pumpkin Donuts:

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our donut batter, providing structure. Ensure you measure it correctly by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the donuts their light and airy texture. They react with the acidic pumpkin and brown sugar to create lift.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: This pre-mixed spice blend is the heart of the fall flavor, typically containing cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. It delivers that signature warm, aromatic taste. If you don’t have it, you can make your own with individual spices (see tips).
• Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the pumpkin and spices pop.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted): Provides richness and moisture to the donuts. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of the recipe.
• Dark Brown Sugar (Packed): Contributes a deep molasses flavor and extra moisture, resulting in a wonderfully tender donut. Make sure to pack it firmly when measuring.
• Large Eggs (Room Temperature): Eggs act as a binder, add moisture, and contribute to the donut’s structure. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother batter.
• Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient! Use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices. It provides the distinct pumpkin flavor and keeps the donuts incredibly moist.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall sweetness and complexity of the donut flavor.

For the Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• Granulated Sugar: Forms the base of our crispy, sweet coating.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds another layer of warm spice to the coating, pairing perfectly with the pumpkin.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A second dose in the coating amplifies the fall flavor, making every bite extra special.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted): Used to brush the baked donuts, allowing the cinnamon sugar coating to adhere beautifully and adding a rich, buttery finish.

With these fresh, high-quality ingredients, you’re well on your way to baking a batch of the most delicious pumpkin donuts imaginable!

Essential Equipment for Baking Perfect Donuts

While the recipe itself is straightforward, having the right tools can make the process even smoother and ensure professional-looking results. Here’s a list of the key equipment you’ll need:

• Donut Pan: This is a must-have for baked donuts. A standard donut pan typically has six cavities and creates the classic ring shape. Silicone donut pans are also an option and make for easy removal.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For combining your wet ingredients.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: For whisking together the dry ingredients.
• Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand): While not strictly essential (a whisk works too!), an electric mixer makes light work of creaming the butter and sugar and incorporating the eggs.
• Whisk: Essential for combining dry ingredients and for a quick mix of wet ingredients if not using an electric mixer.
• Rubber Spatula: Perfect for scraping down the sides of the bowl and gently folding in dry ingredients.
• Piping Bag or Ziploc Bag: Highly recommended for easily and neatly filling the donut pan cavities, especially if you want perfectly shaped donuts. Simply snip off a corner of the Ziploc bag.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Crucial for cooling your donuts evenly and preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom. Place it over a baking sheet to catch any excess sugar coating.
• Shallow Bowl: For mixing your cinnamon sugar coating and dipping the donuts.
• Pastry Brush: Ideal for brushing melted butter onto the warm donuts before dipping them in the coating.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Pumpkin Donuts

Follow these simple instructions to create a batch of perfectly baked, spiced pumpkin donuts that are tender, moist, and utterly delicious.

1. Prepare Your Oven and Donut Pan: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Lightly spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring every cavity is well coated to prevent sticking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt until thoroughly combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices throughout the batter. Set this bowl aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or a sturdy whisk, beat the melted unsalted butter and dark brown sugar together until the mixture is well combined and creamy. Next, beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This creates a smooth emulsion. Finally, beat in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Fold Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredient mixture. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together just until combined. Stop mixing as soon as you no longer see streaks of dry flour. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts.
5. Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon the batter evenly into the greased donut pan cavities. For best results and neat, uniformly shaped donuts, transfer the batter into a piping bag (or a large Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off) and pipe the batter into each cavity, filling it about two-thirds full.
6. Bake the Donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The donuts are ready when they are lightly golden around the edges, spring back slightly when gently touched, or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool Before Coating: Remove the donut pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes. This helps them firm up slightly before you handle them. Then, carefully transfer the warm donuts to a wire rack to cool for another 5 minutes. They should still be warm when you coat them for the best adhesion.
8. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating: While the donuts are cooling, melt the remaining ¼ cup of unsalted butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice until evenly mixed.
9. Coat the Donuts: Once the donuts are slightly cooled but still warm, brush each donut generously with the melted butter using a pastry brush. Immediately after brushing with butter, dip the entire donut into the cinnamon sugar mixture, turning to ensure it’s fully coated. Return the coated donuts to the wire rack to finish cooling.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your freshly baked, perfectly spiced pumpkin donuts warm and enjoy them with your favorite fall beverage!

Pro Tips for Baking Perfect Pumpkin Donuts

Achieving bakery-quality pumpkin donuts at home is easier than you think, especially with a few expert tips. These suggestions will help ensure your donuts are consistently delicious and picture-perfect every time.

• Avoid Overmixing the Batter: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for any baked good. Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until no dry streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dense donuts instead of light, tender ones.
• Room Temperature Ingredients for Best Emulsification: Ensure your eggs and pumpkin puree are at room temperature. This allows them to blend more smoothly and evenly with the butter and sugar, creating a cohesive batter and a better texture in your finished donuts.
• Don’t Skip Greasing the Pan: Even if your donut pan is nonstick, a good spray of baking nonstick spray or a light greasing with butter and flour is essential. This guarantees easy removal and prevents your beautiful donuts from sticking.
• Use a Piping Bag for Uniform Donuts: For neat, evenly shaped donuts, transfer your batter to a piping bag (or a large Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe it into the donut cavities. This method is much tidier and results in beautifully uniform donuts compared to spooning. However, if you prefer the rustic look, spooning works just fine!
• Cool on a Wire Rack to Prevent Sogginess: Once out of the oven, don’t leave your donuts in the pan for too long. After the initial 5-minute cool, transfer them to a wire rack. Air circulation prevents condensation from forming on the bottom, which can make them soggy.
• Coat While Warm: For the best cinnamon sugar coating, ensure your donuts are still warm (but not hot) when you brush them with melted butter and dip them in the sugar mixture. The warmth helps the butter and sugar adhere perfectly, creating that irresistible sweet crust.
• Customize Your Spices: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can easily make your own! A typical blend includes 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves. Adjust to your taste!
• The Toothpick Test: To verify doneness, insert a toothpick into the thickest part of a donut. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, the donuts are ready. If there’s wet batter, bake for another minute or two.

Delicious Variations & Toppings for Your Pumpkin Donuts

While the classic cinnamon sugar coating is undeniably delicious, these baked pumpkin donuts are incredibly versatile and can be customized with various glazes and toppings to suit your preference. Get creative and try these tempting variations:

• Maple Glaze: Elevate the fall flavor even further with a rich maple glaze. Whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Slowly whisk in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach a thick, pourable consistency. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze or drizzle it over them.
• Spiced Glaze: For an extra layer of warm spice, opt for a spiced glaze. In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2-3 tablespoons of milk, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves. Heat briefly in the microwave until warm (about 10-15 seconds) just before dipping the top of each donut. Let the glaze set on a wire rack.
• Cream Cheese Glaze: For a decadent treat, a tangy cream cheese glaze is perfect. Beat 2 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 tablespoon softened butter until smooth. Gradually beat in 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For the chocolate lovers, melt some semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1/2 cup) with a teaspoon of coconut oil until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled, plain or sugar-coated donuts for an extra touch of indulgence.
• Simple Powdered Sugar: If you prefer a lighter touch, a simple dusting of powdered sugar (or powdered sugar mixed with a pinch of pumpkin pie spice) can be just as elegant and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes to Try This Fall

If you’ve fallen in love with these baked pumpkin donuts, you’re in for a treat! Pumpkin is a incredibly versatile ingredient that shines in both sweet and savory dishes, making it a fall favorite. Explore more of our beloved pumpkin-inspired recipes that are perfect for cozy mornings, festive gatherings, or simply satisfying your autumn cravings. From comforting breads to decadent desserts, there’s a pumpkin creation here for everyone to enjoy this season.

Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

These easy-baked pumpkin donuts are tender, moist, perfectly spiced, and coated in pumpkin spice sugar.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Breakfast, Brunch | Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 12 | Calories: 318 kcal

Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients

Pumpkin Donuts

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• 1/4 tsp Baking soda
• 2 tsp Pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup Dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 large Eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup Pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp Pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Spray a donut pan with nonstick spray.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl beat the melted butter and dark brown sugar together until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time until well incorporated. Beat in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until combined.
4. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients just until combined.
5. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they slightly spring back when touched or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan then transfer to a wire rack.
6. In a shallow bowl whisk together the granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Melt the butter. Brush each donut with the melted butter and dip in the sugar mixture coating the entire donut. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• If you prefer smooth uniform donuts pipe the batter into the donut tin using a piping bag or ziptop bag with the corner snipped.
• Store at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container or bag.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 3579IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg