Description
These baked pumpkin donuts are soft, tender, and packed with warm fall spices. Coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Donuts:
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup milk (any kind works)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep the Pan & Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan lightly with non-stick spray to make sure your donuts release easily.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and milk until smooth and well combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir together to distribute the spices evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry
- Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients gradually. Use a spatula to fold gently until the batter just comes together. Be careful not to overmix; this keeps your donuts soft and light.
- Fill the Donut Pan
- Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a resealable zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into each donut cavity evenly, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake the Donuts
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the donuts sit in the pan for about 10 minutes to cool slightly.
- Remove & Cool
- Carefully invert the pan to release the donuts onto a wire rack. Let them cool for at least another 10 minutes before applying the glaze.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- Melt the butter in the microwave. Using a pastry brush (or carefully dipping each donut), coat the tops and sides with melted butter.
- In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar with cinnamon. Roll each buttered donut in the cinnamon sugar, making sure both sides are evenly coated.
- Serve & Enjoy
- These donuts are best enjoyed the same day, warm or at room temperature. Pair with coffee, tea, or your favorite fall beverage for a perfect cozy treat!
Notes
- For extra spice, sprinkle a pinch of cloves or ginger into the batter.
- Don’t skip the resting time in the pan; it prevents donuts from breaking when you remove them.
- For a lighter touch, use coconut sugar in the coating instead of granulated sugar.