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Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts | Soft, Spiced & Perfect for Fall

When autumn rolls around, nothing says cozy comfort quite like pumpkin spice. And while pumpkin bread and muffins are classics, there’s something extra special about sinking your teeth into a soft, spiced donut. These Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts are fluffy, warmly spiced, and baked instead of fried, making them lighter and easier to whip up at home. With pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice, every bite tastes like fall. Finished with a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating, they’re bakery-quality treats you can enjoy fresh out of your oven. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these donuts pair beautifully with a mug of coffee, chai, or hot apple cider.
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Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Donuts:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating (optional but recommended):
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp melted butter

Equipment

  • Donut pan (nonstick, 6 or 12 cavity)
  • Mixing bowls (large and medium)
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Piping bag or zip-top bag (for filling pan)
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1: Prep the Pan & Oven
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease donut pan lightly with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, milk, and melted butter until smooth.
Step 4: Combine Batter
  1. Gradually fold dry mixture into wet mixture until just combined.
  2. Do not overmix—the batter should be thick but smooth.
Step 5: Fill Donut Pan
  1. Transfer batter to a piping bag (or zip-top bag with corner cut off).
  2. Pipe into donut pan cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
Step 6: Bake
  1. Bake 12–14 minutes, until donuts spring back when touched and a toothpick comes out clean.
  2. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Step 7: Cinnamon-Sugar Coating (Optional)
  1. Stir together granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
  2. Brush warm donuts with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
Step 8: Serve & Enjoy
  1. Enjoy warm with coffee or cider, or store for later.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: Store in airtight container up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Store up to 5 days; reheat briefly before serving.
Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months (without coating). Thaw overnight in fridge, then add cinnamon sugar.
Reheating: Warm in microwave for 10 seconds or oven at 325°F for 5 minutes.
🥄 Variations
Glazed Pumpkin Donuts: Skip cinnamon sugar and dip cooled donuts in vanilla glaze.
Chocolate Pumpkin Donuts: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the batter.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Donuts: Swirl cream cheese filling into the batter before baking.
Maple Pumpkin Donuts: Replace cinnamon sugar with a maple glaze.
Mini Pumpkin Donuts: Bake in a mini donut pan for bite-sized treats (reduce bake time to 8 minutes).
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?
Yes, but make sure it’s well-drained and smooth.
Do I need a donut pan?
It gives the best shape, but you can bake in a muffin tin instead.
Can I fry this recipe instead of baking?
No, this batter is designed for baking.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
How do I prevent donuts from sticking?
Grease pan well and let them cool slightly before removing.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes, swap butter for vegan margarine and milk for almond or oat milk.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely, just bake in batches.
Why are my donuts dense?
Overmixing the batter can make them heavy. Mix until just combined.
Can I add mix-ins?
Yes, chocolate chips, pecans, or raisins work well.
How should I serve these at a party?
Pile them high on a cake stand or stack them like a donut tower centerpiece.
🏁 Conclusion
These Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts are soft, spiced, and the perfect way to celebrate fall flavors. With warm pumpkin spice and a cinnamon-sugar finish, they’re bakery-style treats made simple in your own kitchen.
Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a festive holiday brunch, these donuts will disappear fast—so make a double batch!