Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts Recipe
If you’re craving a cozy treat that perfectly captures the essence of fall, you absolutely need to try these Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts. They are soft, tender, and bursting with warm pumpkin pie spice flavors that dance delightfully with every bite. Lightly sweetened with brown sugar and maple syrup, these donuts are a healthier, baked alternative to the fried classic, making them just as delicious and a little easier on the conscience. Trust me, once you discover how easy and satisfying it is to whip up Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts at home, they’ll become a staple you can’t wait to share with family and friends throughout the season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is all you need to create these perfectly spiced, tender Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts. Each ingredient is essential, contributing to the wonderful texture, moisture, and signature flavor that make these donuts so irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the donuts, keeping them light yet sturdy.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture, enhancing the rich flavor.
- Pumpkin pie spice: The star of the show, delivering warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Ensure a tender crumb and gentle rise.
- Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Pumpkin puree: Keeps the donuts moist and infused with authentic pumpkin flavor.
- Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and a subtle depth of flavor.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together while adding richness.
- Coconut oil: Provides a hint of tropical nuttiness and moist texture.
- Vanilla extract: Accentuates the spice mix and sweetness with aromatic warmth.
- Non-stick cooking spray: Essential for ensuring your donuts release easily from the pan.
- Granulated sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice (for coating): Create a perfectly spiced, sweet crust that adds an irresistible crunch.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s hot and ready for the donuts when your batter is mixed. Gathering everything first means smooth sailing through your baking process.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices, so each bite is perfectly flavored.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, eggs, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. This mix brings moisture and richness, setting the foundation for your tender baked donuts.
Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry
Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir gently until just combined. It’s important not to overmix here; a few lumps are totally fine and will keep the donuts fluffy and light.
Step 5: Fill Your Donut Pan
Transfer the batter into a gallon-sized ziplock bag and snip off a half-inch corner to create a handy piping bag. If you don’t have one, a spoon works just as well to fill the donut cavities. Spray the donut pan with non-stick spray and pipe or spoon the batter in, filling each mold about three-quarters full for perfect rise.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 18 minutes. When done, a toothpick inserted should come out clean. Carefully remove the donuts and let them cool for about five minutes on a rack before moving to the next step.
Step 7: Add the Signature Coating
While the donuts cool, mix the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice for the coating. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each side of the donut with melted coconut oil, then dip or twist the donuts into the spiced sugar. This finishing touch adds a delightful sweet and spicy crunch that defines these Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts.
How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts
Garnishes
These donuts shine on their own but can be dressed up with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of maple glaze to enhance their natural sweetness and spice. Freshly chopped pecans or a sprinkle of toasted coconut add wonderful texture and a nutty contrast.
Side Dishes
Pairing your Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with a warm cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a mug of rich hot chocolate makes for a perfectly cozy autumn breakfast or afternoon snack. A side of creamy pumpkin yogurt or fresh fruit amplifies the seasonal vibe and keeps things balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, stack the donuts on a rustic wooden board and sprinkle with edible gold dust or cinnamon sticks for ambiance. You can also turn them into mini dessert sandwiches by sandwiching spiced cream cheese filling between two donuts — an impressive way to wow guests without fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Beyond that, they may begin to dry out, so try to enjoy them fresh when possible.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these donuts later, they freeze beautifully. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to two months, making them perfect for prepping ahead for seasonal celebrations.
Reheating
When you’re ready to eat frozen donuts, gently warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 300-degree oven for about 5 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked softness and warm aroma. Reapply the cinnamon sugar coating if needed to refresh the flavor.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin or fresh pumpkin for the puree?
Canned pumpkin puree is ideal because it’s consistently smooth and moist, but you can use homemade pumpkin puree if you roast and blend pumpkin flesh until silky. Just make sure it’s well-drained to avoid overly wet batter.
What if I don’t have a donut pan?
You can bake this batter in a mini muffin pan for bite-sized treats or use a round cookie cutter on rolled out batter for a donut shape, but baking time may vary slightly, so keep a close eye while baking.
Can I substitute the coconut oil?
Absolutely! Melted butter or a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil works well as a substitute, though coconut oil adds a subtle, lovely flavor that complements the pumpkin and spices nicely.
Is it possible to make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, swapping the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend usually yields great results. Just be sure your baking powder is gluten-free and check texture to adjust liquids as needed.
How long do Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts keep their best flavor?
They are best enjoyed within 1-2 days at room temperature to savor their moist, tender texture and fresh spice flavors. After that, they may become drier but are still tasty when reheated.
Final Thoughts
These Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts are more than just a sweet treat—they embody the comforting flavors of fall in every bite. They’re simple to make, beautifully spiced, and perfectly moist, ready to become your go-to seasonal recipe that warms hearts and fills kitchens with irresistible aromas. I can’t wait for you to try making your own batch and experience the joy they bring to any morning or snack time. Happy baking!
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Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts are a moist, flavorful fall treat, combining warm pumpkin spice with natural sweetness from pumpkin puree and maple syrup. Baked instead of fried, they offer a healthier twist on classic donuts with a delicious cinnamon sugar coating that perfectly complements the autumn flavors.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Topping
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Other
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the donuts evenly.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and Kosher salt until evenly combined.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, eggs, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract to create a smooth mixture.
- Combine wet and dry: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid over mixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Prepare batter for piping: Pour the batter into a gallon-sized ziplock bag, pushing it to one corner. Cut a 1/2 inch hole in the corner of the bag to use as a piping bag. If you don’t have a ziplock bag, you can spoon the batter directly into the donut pan.
- Fill donut pan: Spray the donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pipe the batter into each donut mold, filling about 3/4 full.
- Bake donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into a donut; it should come out clean. Remove donuts carefully from the pan and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
- Prepare topping: While donuts cool, combine granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a shallow dish. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush each donut side with melted coconut oil, then dip and twist the donuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
- Serve: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, when they are warm and the cinnamon sugar topping is still slightly sticky.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable oil for coconut oil if preferred.
- Ensure pumpkin puree is 100% pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling for best results.
- Donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Reheat donuts briefly in the microwave or oven before serving to restore softness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary slightly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: pumpkin spice donuts, baked donuts, fall dessert, pumpkin recipe, cinnamon sugar donuts, healthy donuts
