Pumpkin donuts

There’s something about the warm, spicy aroma of pumpkin that signals the beginning of fall. Whether it’s the changing leaves, the cool breeze, or the excitement of upcoming holidays, pumpkin treats seem to make everything feel cozier. Pumpkin donuts are the perfect embodiment of this seasonal spirit, combining the rich flavor of pumpkin with the comforting warmth of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a sugary glaze, these donuts will make your kitchen smell like fall and your taste buds sing.

These pumpkin donuts are an excellent choice for breakfast, dessert, or a mid-afternoon snack. They’re moist, fluffy, and full of pumpkin flavor, with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. Plus, because they’re baked instead of fried, they’re lighter and easier to make, without the mess of dealing with hot oil. You can have these donuts ready in under an hour, making them a fantastic option for busy mornings, weekend brunches, or even last-minute holiday gatherings.

Whether you’re a pumpkin spice fanatic or just looking for a fun fall treat to share with family and friends, these donuts will not disappoint. Best of all, they’re easily customizable with different toppings and glazes, so you can put your own spin on this fall favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Quick and Easy: These donuts come together in less than an hour, from mixing the batter to baking and glazing.
2. Baked, Not Fried: No need to mess around with hot oil—these donuts are baked, making them lighter and less greasy than traditional fried donuts.
3. Perfect Fall Flavors: The combination of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves brings out the best of autumn in every bite.
4. Great for Any Occasion: Serve these donuts for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. They’re perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
5. Easily Customizable: You can glaze them, dust them with cinnamon sugar, or even add a cream cheese frosting. The possibilities are endless!

Preparation Time and Servings

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 12 donuts
• Serving Size: 1 donut

Nutritional Information (per donut)

• Calories: 220 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fat: 8g
• Protein: 3g
• Sugar: 16g
• Fiber: 1g

(Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients and toppings used.)

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Donuts:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if needed)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating (Optional):

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Glaze (Optional):

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with non-stick spray or butter, ensuring all the donut wells are fully coated to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture, giving every bite of the donut a warm, spicy flavor.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The pumpkin will give the batter a beautiful orange color and a deliciously moist texture.

Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can make the donuts tough. You want the batter to be smooth, but still light and fluffy.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer the donut batter into a piping bag or a large ziplock bag with the tip cut off. Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut wells, filling each one about ¾ full. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can carefully spoon the batter into the wells, but piping makes it easier to get even, circular donuts.

Step 6: Bake the Donuts

Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are set and spring back when lightly touched. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of one of the donuts—it should come out clean when they’re done.

Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing or coating.

Step 7: Coat the Donuts (Optional)

For a classic cinnamon sugar coating, melt the butter in a small bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, dip each donut in the melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.

Step 8: Make the Glaze (Optional)

If you prefer a glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, then place them back on the wire rack to set. The glaze will harden slightly as it sits, giving the donuts a sweet, glossy finish.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Your pumpkin donuts are ready to be devoured! Serve them warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the soft, fluffy texture and perfect fall flavors. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cozy mug of apple cider.

How to Serve Pumpkin Donuts

There are endless ways to enjoy these pumpkin donuts, depending on your personal preferences and the occasion. Here are a few serving suggestions to get you started:

• With a Cup of Coffee or Tea: These donuts are the perfect accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee or tea. The warm spices and sweet glaze are an ideal contrast to a rich, dark brew or a spiced chai.
• For Dessert: While these donuts are excellent for breakfast or brunch, they also make a lovely fall dessert. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
• For a Fall Gathering: If you’re hosting a fall-themed event, these donuts will be a hit. Stack them on a platter or donut stand for an eye-catching display. They’re easy to eat with your hands, making them great for parties, potlucks, or Thanksgiving dessert tables.
• As a Snack: Don’t feel like you have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy these pumpkin donuts—they’re perfect for a mid-afternoon snack when you’re craving something sweet and seasonal.

Additional Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Donuts

1. Use Canned Pumpkin, Not Pumpkin Pie Filling: Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree for this recipe, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices. This ensures you get the perfect balance of sweetness and spice in your donuts.
2. Don’t Overfill the Donut Pan: To get perfectly shaped donuts, only fill the wells of your donut pan about ¾ full. If you overfill them, the donuts may bake over the edges and lose their signature hole in the center.
3. Make Them Gluten-Free: If you need a gluten-free option, simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so this is an easy substitution.
4. Adjust the Spices to Taste: If you’re a pumpkin spice lover, feel free to add a little extra cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the batter. You can even sprinkle a bit of pumpkin pie spice into the cinnamon sugar coating or glaze for extra flavor.
5. Get Creative with Toppings: While cinnamon sugar and glaze are classic choices, you can also top these donuts with chopped nuts, maple glaze, or even a cream cheese frosting for a more decadent treat.

Recipe Variations

1. Maple Glazed Pumpkin Donuts:

For a maple twist, substitute maple syrup for the milk in the glaze and drizzle it over the donuts for a sweet, fall-inspired finish.

2. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Donuts:

Fill the center of each donut with a cream cheese filling by piping it into the hole after they’re baked. The cream cheese pairs perfectly with the pumpkin and spices for an extra indulgent treat.

3. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Donuts:

For all the chocolate lovers out there, fold mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking. The chocolate will melt into the donuts as they bake, creating little pockets of gooey goodness.

4. Vegan Pumpkin Donuts:

To make this recipe vegan, use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and non-dairy milk like almond or soy. Be sure to use plant-based butter for the coating or glaze as well.

5. Spiced Pumpkin Donuts:

Add extra spice by increasing the amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in the batter. You can also sprinkle a pinch of pumpkin pie spice on top of the glaze or cinnamon sugar for an added burst of flavor.

Freezing and Storage

Storing Leftovers:

If you have leftover donuts (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, they can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Freezing Instructions:

To freeze the donuts, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the donuts to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature for a few hours, or pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds to warm them up.

Reheating:

For best results, reheat the donuts in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to restore their fresh-baked flavor and texture.

Special Equipment

• Donut Pan: A non-stick donut pan is essential for this recipe. If you don’t have one, you can use a muffin tin and fill each well only halfway to create “donut muffins.”
• Piping Bag: A piping bag or ziplock bag makes it easier to get the batter neatly into the donut wells.
• Wire Cooling Rack: This will help the donuts cool evenly and allow any excess glaze to drip off.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin instead. Fill each muffin cup about halfway, and you’ll end up with pumpkin “donut muffins.” The taste will be just as delicious, even without the classic donut shape.

2. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture.

3. Can I freeze these donuts?

Yes, these donuts freeze well. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy them warm.

4. Can I add other mix-ins to the batter?

Definitely! Feel free to add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries to the batter before baking for extra flavor and texture.

5. Can I make these donuts vegan?

Yes! Use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and swap the milk and butter for non-dairy alternatives like almond milk and vegan butter.

Conclusion

These pumpkin donuts are the ultimate fall treat, offering a perfect balance of pumpkin flavor and cozy spices. Whether you choose to coat them in cinnamon sugar or drizzle them with a sweet glaze, they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends. Light, fluffy, and full of flavor, these donuts are a wonderful way to celebrate the season and enjoy the comforting tastes of autumn.

With a quick prep time and endless customization options, you’ll want to make these donuts over and over again throughout the fall season. So grab your donut pan, whip up a batch, and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin and spice in every bite.

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