Description
These Easy Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes are a delicious fall-inspired treat featuring tender, moist pumpkin-spiced dough baked to golden perfection and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. Perfect for a quick snack or breakfast bite, they offer all the flavor of classic pumpkin donuts without the frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Donut Holes
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed (50g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree (170g)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (57g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk (60ml, any kind)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a 24-cup mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and salt ensuring they are well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, egg, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Fold gently using a rubber spatula, mixing just until combined. It’s okay if the batter still has a few lumps; avoid overmixing to ensure tender donut holes.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon to fill each mini muffin cup about ¾ full with batter.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the donut holes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Coating: While the donut holes are baking, mix ½ cup granulated sugar with 1 ½ tablespoons of cinnamon in a shallow bowl. In a small separate bowl, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
- Cool in Pan: Allow the donut holes to cool in the pan for exactly 2 minutes after baking to make them easier to handle.
- Remove and Cool Further: Carefully remove the donut holes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack.
- Coat Donut Holes: While the donut holes are still warm, brush each one with melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Serve: Serve immediately for the best texture and enjoy your freshly baked pumpkin donut holes.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter; lumps are fine and help keep the donuts tender.
- Bake just until a toothpick comes out clean to avoid dryness.
- Use room temperature egg and slightly cooled melted butter for better mixing.
- Serve warm for optimal flavor and texture, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- You can substitute milk with any plant-based milk to make it dairy-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin donut holes, baked pumpkin donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, easy fall treats, mini pumpkin donuts
