Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts: Your Ultimate Fall Breakfast & Dessert Recipe
As the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red and gold, and a crisp coolness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice wafting from your kitchen. These baked pumpkin donuts are the epitome of Fall indulgence, crafted with readily available canned pumpkin puree, a generous dose of warming pumpkin spice, and a luscious vanilla glaze that melts perfectly into every bite. They’re not just a treat; they’re an experience, ideal for a cozy Fall breakfast or a show-stopping dessert.
Fall is synonymous with pumpkin – and for good reason! From the moment the season arrives, we crave everything pumpkin. Who can resist the charm of a classic pumpkin roll cake, a slice of moist chocolate chip pumpkin bread, or the chewy delight of soft and chewy pumpkin cookies? These homemade baked pumpkin donuts join the ranks of beloved seasonal favorites, offering a unique blend of convenience and deliciousness that will have everyone asking for more.
What sets these glazed pumpkin donuts apart is their incredible depth of Fall flavors. Beyond just the rich, earthy taste of pureed pumpkin, they are infused with a symphony of spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves – that create that quintessential autumn warmth. Every bite is a delightful celebration of the season.
If you’re ever in the mood for a more traditional glazed donut experience, don’t miss my irresistible old-fashioned buttermilk donut recipe. But for those seeking Fall perfection without the fuss, these baked pumpkin treats are truly unbeatable.
Why Choose Baked Pumpkin Donuts Over Fried?
One of the best aspects of this baked pumpkin donut recipe is the sheer convenience. Forget the mess, the lingering oil smell, and the constant attention required for deep frying. With baked donuts, you simply mix, pour, and pop them in the oven, letting the heat work its magic. This hands-off approach makes them perfect for busy mornings or when you’re multitasking, like during Thanksgiving preparations when the oven is already working overtime for the holiday feast.
Not only are baked donuts easier to make, but they’re also generally considered a lighter option than their fried counterparts. You get all the flavor and tender texture without the extra oil. This makes them a fantastic choice for a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a delightful dessert that won’t feel too heavy.
Don’t miss our glazed soft apple cookies – another one of our favorite Fall breakfast recipes that pairs wonderfully with these donuts!
These homemade pumpkin donuts are incredibly versatile and perfect for any Fall gathering. Whether you’re planning a Fall bake sale, an office party, or contributing to a potluck, these soft, spiced, and glazed treats are guaranteed to be a hit. They offer a homemade charm that no fast-food donut place can ever replicate, ensuring they’ll be the star of any event.
Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Donuts
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful Fall donuts. You’ll find that most are pantry staples, making this recipe incredibly accessible.
FOR THE DONUTS:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for our light and fluffy donuts.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with tenderness.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Our leavening agent, ensuring a perfect rise.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt: Balances the flavors and enhances sweetness.
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice: The key to that quintessential Fall flavor profile. A good quality blend makes all the difference!
- 3 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness to the batter.
- 1 ½ cup canned pumpkin puree: Essential for the pumpkin flavor and moist texture. Ensure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar: Adds depth of flavor and extra moisture compared to granulated sugar alone.
- ½ cup butter, melted: Contributes to a rich flavor and tender crumb.
FOR THE GLAZE:
- 2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar): Creates a smooth, sweet glaze.
- 2 Tablespoons whole milk: Helps achieve the perfect consistency for dipping.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla brightens and rounds out the sweetness of the glaze.
Variations and Substitutions to Customize Your Donuts
While these glazed pumpkin donuts are perfect as is, feel free to get creative with these variations and substitutions to match your taste or what you have on hand.
- Milk for the Glaze – Any percentage of milk can be used for the glaze (skim, 2%, whole). For a dairy-free option, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk would work beautifully, offering a slightly different but equally delicious flavor profile.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating – For a simpler, yet equally satisfying finish, skip the vanilla glaze entirely. Instead, roll your freshly baked pumpkin donuts in a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar while they are still warm. The warmth will help the sugar adhere, creating a delightful crunchy coating.
- Mini Pumpkin Donuts – No donut pan? No problem! You can easily bake this batter in a mini muffin tin. Simply fill each muffin cavity about two-thirds full. Baking time will be shorter, so start checking for doneness around 8-10 minutes with a toothpick inserted into the center.
- Add-ins – Feel free to fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white), chopped pecans, or walnuts into the donut batter for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Cream Cheese Glaze – For an even richer topping, combine 4 oz softened cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract for a tangy-sweet cream cheese glaze.
How to Make Baked Pumpkin Donuts: A Simple Guide
Creating these delightful baked pumpkin donuts is surprisingly easy. Here’s a quick overview of the main steps to guide you, with more detailed instructions available in the recipe card below:
- MAKE DONUT BATTER: Begin by combining all your dry ingredients in one bowl and all your wet ingredients in another. Then, gently combine the two mixtures until just blended. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts, so be careful!
- BAKE TO PERFECTION: Pour the batter into your prepared donut pans and bake as directed in the recipe card below. The oven does all the hard work, leaving you free to enjoy the wonderful aromas filling your kitchen.
- GLAZE & ENJOY: While the donuts cool slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for your glaze. Dip each warm donut into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, and prepare to savor every sweet bite.
Storage Tips for Freshness
While these homemade pumpkin donuts are undeniably best enjoyed fresh from the oven, they can certainly be stored to extend their deliciousness. Here’s how:
Countertop: Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To prevent the glaze from sticking or getting messy, you can place a piece of parchment paper between layers of donuts. Unglazed donuts can also be stored this way.
Refrigerator: For slightly longer storage, these donuts can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The cooler temperature will help maintain their freshness, especially if your kitchen is warm.
Reheat: To bring them back to life, enjoy refrigerated donuts at room temperature, or microwave them for about 10-15 seconds. This quick reheat will soften them up, making them taste almost as good as fresh from the oven.
Freezer: For extended storage, it’s best to freeze unglazed donuts. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer baggie or an airtight freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw them out at room temperature for a few hours before preparing and adding the fresh glaze.
Expert Recipe Tips for the Best Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Achieving bakery-quality baked pumpkin donuts at home is easier than you think with these helpful tips:
- Scaling Up the Recipe: This recipe yields one dozen delicious donuts. If you’re preparing these for a large gathering, like for Thanksgiving dessert or a Fall party, you may want to make more than one batch. The recipe is easily doubled or even tripled as needed. Just ensure you have enough donut pans!
- Perfect Glaze Consistency: The key to a beautiful, even glaze is getting the consistency just right. If your glaze seems too thin and runny, gradually add a bit more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it thickens. Conversely, if the glaze is too thick and hard to dip, thin it out with a touch more milk, adding a teaspoon at a time until it reaches the desired smooth, pourable consistency.
- Glaze While Warm: For the most luscious and evenly coated donuts, glaze them while they are still warm, but not hot. The residual warmth from the donuts will slightly melt the glaze, allowing it to spread beautifully and create a thin, even layer that sets perfectly.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to dense, tough donuts instead of light and fluffy ones.
- Use a Piping Bag: For neat and easy filling of the donut pans, transfer the batter into a piping bag or a large Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off. This allows for precise filling of each donut mold without making a mess.
- Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling: Always ensure you are using 100% pure canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sugar, which will alter the flavor balance of this recipe.
More Fall Favorites: Extend Your Seasonal Baking!
If you’re loving the taste of Fall with these pumpkin donuts, be sure to explore more of our seasonal recipes that capture the essence of autumn:
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Buttercream: Fluffy cupcakes bursting with pumpkin spice, topped with a creamy frosting.
- Apple Pie Cookies: All the flavors of apple pie in a convenient, bite-sized cookie form.
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili: A hearty and comforting savory dish perfect for a chilly evening.
- Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Spice Pancakes: Start your Fall mornings right with these flavorful pancakes.
- 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake: An incredibly easy and delicious dessert that comes together with minimal effort.
Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Author: Jaclyn
Equipment
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Wilton Non-stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans
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3-Tier Cooling Rack
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup butter melted
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 Tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 °F (175°C). Lightly grease 2 standard donut pans and set aside.
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In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined. Set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 3 eggs, canned pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, and melted butter until smooth.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Using a spoon or a piping bag, distribute the batter evenly between the greased donut pans, filling each donut mold about 3/4 of the way.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part of a donut comes out clean.
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Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, carefully loosen the donuts from the pan and transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool further.
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In a small bowl, stir vigorously to combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until a smooth glaze forms. Dip the top of each warm donut into the glaze, then place back on the wire cooling rack to allow any excess glaze to drip off and set. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For the perfect glaze consistency: If the glaze is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. If the glaze is too thick, thin it out with a touch more milk, a teaspoon at a time.
Nutrition
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