The Perfect Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe for Fall Sweet Cravings

Baked pumpkin donuts represent a delightful twist on classic fall desserts, enhanceing an ordinary pastry into a memorable culinary experience.

Warm spices and subtle sweetness make these treats irresistible to anyone craving comfort food.

Their light, fluffy consistency sets them apart from traditional fried versions, offering a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor.

Seasonal ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a sensory journey that captures autumn’s essence.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of softness and richness, enticing you with its aromatic profile.

Homemade donuts elevate your baking skills and bring joy to family gatherings.

Your kitchen will soon fill with an inviting fragrance that beckons everyone closer.

Why Baked Pumpkin Donuts Are Fall’s Best Treat

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: These pumpkin donuts capture the warm, cozy essence of autumn with their rich, spiced flavor profile that instantly wraps you in comfort.
• Bake with Absolute Ease: The straightforward recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it perfect for bakers of all levels – from complete beginners to seasoned home cooks looking for a quick, delightful treat.
• Texture Perfection: Expect a wonderfully soft, tender crumb that melts in your mouth, complemented by a delicate cinnamon-sugar coating that adds a satisfying crunch and extra layer of sweet warmth.
• Quick Breakfast or Snack Solution: Ready in under 30 minutes, these donuts serve as a speedy morning indulgence or afternoon pick-me-up that feels like a special homemade treat without consuming hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Need to Make These Soft and Spiced Donuts

• Oil: Keeps donuts moist and tender, choose a neutral-flavored vegetable or canola oil.
• Eggs: Provides structure and richness to the donut batter.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture, flavor, and beautiful autumn color to the donuts.
• Melted Butter: Used for coating donuts and helping cinnamon-sugar stick.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main base for the donuts structure, use fresh and sifted.
• Sugar: Sweetens the donuts and helps with browning.
• Baking Powder: Helps donuts rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cinnamon: Adds warm, classic autumn flavor to the donuts.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Creates a sweet, spicy outer coating for the donuts.

How to Bake Pumpkin Donuts with That Perfect Crust

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Pans

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease 1-2 donut pans with cooking spray or butter to ensure easy removal.

Step 2: Create Wet Ingredient Mixture

• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Pumpkin puree
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Salt
• Baking powder

Blend ingredients on low speed until smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Gently fold flour into the wet mixture using a spatula. Mix just until ingredients are combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can create tough donuts.

Step 4: Fill Donut Pans

Scoop approximately of batter into each donut pan well. If using only one pan, cover remaining batter with plastic wrap while waiting to bake subsequent batches.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 15-18 minutes. Check donuts by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when donuts are fully cooked.

Step 6: Cool Donuts

Let donuts rest in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Gently loosen edges if needed, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

Step 7: Prepare Coating

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Step 8: Coat Donuts

Once donuts are completely cool, brush each with melted butter. Roll or shake in cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Step 9: Store and Serve

Store donuts loosely covered at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Easy Tips to Keep Pumpkin Donuts Moist and Fluffy

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and spices to ensure consistent texture and flavor in every bite.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stir batter gently and minimally to keep donuts light and tender, preventing tough, dense results.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick near the center to confirm baking completion; it should come out clean without wet batter.
• Butter Coating Trick: Brush donuts with melted butter before rolling in cinnamon-sugar for maximum flavor adherence and crispy exterior.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep donuts in a loosely covered container at room temperature, consuming within three days for optimal freshness and taste.

Keep Donuts Fresh and Tasty Without Losing Their Texture

• Refrigeration Method: Store leftover pumpkin donuts in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Seal the container tightly and place in the refrigerator, where donuts will remain fresh for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Method: Wrap individual donuts in plastic wrap, then place them inside a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months to preserve their delicious texture and flavor. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated or thawed donuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until slightly heated through. For best results, use a toaster oven set at 300°F and warm donuts for 2-3 minutes, which helps restore their original soft texture and revive the subtle spice notes.

What to Drink or Dip with These Cozy Baked Donuts

• Craft a Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these warm, spiced pumpkin donuts with a rich, medium-roast coffee or a creamy chai latte. The robust coffee grounds complement the sweet, earthy pumpkin flavors, creating a perfect morning or afternoon treat.
• Embrace Autumn Beverage Bliss: Enjoy these donuts alongside a crisp, chilled apple cider or a smooth, spiced mulled wine. The fruity and warming notes will enhance the seasonal pumpkin spice profile, making each bite a delightful autumn experience.
• Sweet and Tangy Sidekick: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The creamy, cool texture contrasts beautifully with the warm, cinnamon-sugar coated donuts, offering a luxurious dessert combination that tantalizes taste buds.
• Nutty Flavor Explosion: Complement the donuts with a handful of toasted pecans or a sprinkle of chopped walnuts. These nuts add a delightful crunch and earthy undertone that perfectly balances the soft, sweet donut texture.

Pumpkin Donut Variations That Go Beyond Basic

• Maple Glazed Autumn: Replace sugar with maple syrup and top donuts with a maple glaze made from powdered sugar and maple extract for a rich, woodsy flavor profile.
• Cream Cheese Frosted: Create a smooth cream cheese frosting using softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread generously over cooled donuts for a tangy contrast.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking. After coating with cinnamon-sugar, sprinkle additional chopped nuts on top for extra texture and depth.
• Chocolate Drizzle Version: Melt dark or semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle over the cinnamon-sugar coated donuts. Sprinkle sea salt flakes for a gourmet touch that enhances the pumpkin's natural sweetness.

Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spiced pumpkin donuts bring autumn’s warmth to your kitchen with classic fall flavors. Delicate crumb and rich cinnamon glaze invite comfort and nostalgia, promising a delightful treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for coating)

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups canned pumpkin
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups sugar

Coating Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ cup sugar
• butter (for greasing the pans)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat one or two donut pans with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, eggs, granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, salt, and baking powder until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated.
3. Gradually add all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, using a rubber spatula to fold gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix, as this can result in tough, dense donuts.
4. Carefully distribute the batter evenly among the donut pan cavities, filling each about two-thirds to three-quarters full (approximately per cavity).
5. If using only one donut pan, cover the remaining batter with plastic wrap to prevent drying while waiting for the first batch to bake.
6. Place the filled donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, which helps them set and prevents breaking when removing.
8. Gently loosen the donuts from the pan edges using a small offset spatula or knife, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
9. For the coating, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl or a large resealable plastic bag.
10. Once the donuts have cooled, brush each one lightly with melted unsalted butter, then roll or shake in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
11. Serve immediately or store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, enjoying their soft, spiced texture.

Notes

• Elevate your fall baking with these moist, spice-packed pumpkin donuts that capture autumn’s cozy essence.
• Perfectly balanced blend of warm spices creates a bakery-quality treat you can easily make at home.
• Greasing donut pans beforehand prevents sticky situations and ensures clean, beautiful donut shapes.
• Mix wet ingredients thoroughly to guarantee a smooth, lump-free batter that bakes into tender donuts.
• Gentle folding technique prevents tough donuts by keeping gluten development minimal during mixing.
• Cinnamon-sugar coating transforms plain baked donuts into irresistible, bakery-style delights with minimal effort.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 322 kcal
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 179mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 44g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Protein: 3.6g
• Cholesterol: 62mg