Description
Baked Pumpkin Donuts are tender, spiced donuts made with pumpkin puree, warm fall spices, and a cinnamon sugar coating all without frying. These soft, flavorful donuts are a lighter, homemade alternative to traditional fried varieties, making them perfect for cozy mornings, brunch gatherings, or festive fall desserts. With simple pantry ingredients and minimal prep, they deliver big flavor and the comforting taste of autumn in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Donuts:
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup milk
- 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 Coating:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a non-stick donut pan.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, milk, and vegetable oil until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined (do not overmix).
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or ziplock bag, snip off a corner, and pipe evenly into the prepared donut pan.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until golden brown and springy to the touch.
- Let the donuts cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Brush each donut with melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter for a tender texture.
- Add spices like ginger or cloves for extra warmth.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 1 month; reheat before coating.
- Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness (avoid microwaving).
- Optional mix-ins: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries.
- For vegan donuts, use plant-based milk and a flax egg substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: ~160
- Sugar: ~14 g
- Sodium: ~120 mg
- Fat: ~6 g
- Saturated Fat: ~1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~25 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg