The Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts

Meta Description: Learn how to make delicious pumpkin spice baked donuts. This easy recipe is a perfect choice for a cozy fall morning, a holiday brunch, or a simple, delicious treat.

The first hint of autumn always brings a wave of nostalgia for me. It’s the season of cozy sweaters, crisp air, and, of course, the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice. But for the longest time, my pumpkin spice cravings were met with sugary, deep-fried donuts from a local bakery. While delicious, they often left me feeling a little heavy and a little bit guilty. I wanted to find a way to capture that same warm, nostalgic feeling in a treat that was a little more wholesome, a little less greasy, and just as delicious.

My solution was this recipe for pumpkin spice baked donuts. It’s a perfect celebration of fall flavors in a perfectly portioned, handheld form. This isn’t a deep-fried donut. We’re using a donut pan and baking them, which gives them a beautiful, tender, cake-like texture that is both satisfying and light. The result is a donut that has all the warm, comforting flavors of a classic pumpkin pie, but in a fun, new format. This recipe has completely changed my fall baking game, and I have a feeling it will change yours, too.

🌟 The Magic of Baking Donuts

Most people think of a donut as something that has to be deep-fried. But a donut pan is one of the best-kept secrets in baking. It allows you to create a donut shape that is both beautiful and perfect for a cake-like batter. Baking the donuts gives them a light, airy, and incredibly tender crumb that is a fantastic contrast to a deep-fried version. This simple trick is a total game-changer and is the key to a perfect, homemade donut that is both easy and wholesome.

The rest is all about the batter. We’re using a blend of classic baking ingredients with a few wholesome additions. The pumpkin puree provides a rich, earthy flavor and a ton of moisture, allowing the donuts to stay tender and fresh for days. We’re also using a blend of warm spices, a classic combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, that makes these donuts feel like a warm hug on a cold day. And the best part? We’re topping them with a simple sugar and spice mixture that gets a little bit of a crunch and a lot of flavor. The combination of all these elements creates a donut that is truly special, a little bit fancy, but still feels like a comforting, home-baked treat.

✅ Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses a blend of classic baking ingredients with a few wholesome additions. The quality of your ingredients, especially the pure pumpkin puree and the fresh spices, will make a big difference in the final flavor.

For the Baked Donuts:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)¹
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

Total Preparation and Cooking Time: 30 minutes

1. Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).² Lightly grease a 6-cup donut pan.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to gently mix until the batter is just combined. The batter will be thick, and that’s okay! A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense donut, so stop stirring as soon as you don’t see any more streaks of flour.³
5. Pipe the Batter: Spoon the batter into a piping bag or a large Ziploc bag. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about two-thirds of the way full.
6. Bake the Donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. The donuts are done when they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Make the Topping: While the donuts are baking, prepare the cinnamon sugar topping. In a small, shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
8. Cool and Coat: Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. Once they are cool enough to handle, gently dip each donut into the cinnamon sugar topping, making sure to coat both sides. Serve the pumpkin spice baked donuts immediately.

😋 Creative Variations and Serving Suggestions

This baked pumpkin donut recipe is a fantastic base for all sorts of delicious creations. You can easily adapt it to fit your dietary needs or to change up the flavor.

• Add a Glaze: Instead of a cinnamon sugar coating, you could make a simple glaze. Whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk until smooth. You can also add a little bit of maple syrup for a maple glaze.
• Add a Different Ingredient: The flavor combination of pumpkin and spices is a classic, but you can add other ingredients as well.⁴ A handful of chocolate chips or a few chopped pecans would be a delicious addition.
• Make it Gluten-Free: To make these donuts gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of the regular flour. A good 1-to-1 baking blend would work perfectly.
• Try a Different Spice: While cinnamon is a classic, you can easily swap it out for other warm spices. A little bit of allspice, cardamom, or even a hint of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick would all be delicious.
• Serving Ideas: These donuts are a great breakfast treat on their own, but they are also a perfect light dessert. They’re lovely with a cup of hot coffee or a pot of tea. They also make a fantastic addition to a weekend brunch.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling?

Pumpkin puree is just that—pure pumpkin. It has no added sugar or spices. Pumpkin pie filling, on the other hand, is a sweetened and spiced mixture that is ready to be poured into a pie crust.⁵ Make sure you use pure pumpkin puree for this recipe!

How do I store these donuts?

These donuts are best served the same day. However, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To revive their freshness, you can pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.

Can I use a regular muffin tin?

Yes! This recipe works beautifully as a muffin recipe. Just spoon the batter into a muffin tin lined with paper liners and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. You’ll get about 12 muffins.

📊 Nutritional Information

Please note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

✨ A Treat That’s a Taste of Autumn

These pumpkin spice baked donuts are more than just a baked good; they are a small but significant upgrade to your fall routine. They’re a delicious and comforting way to start the day, providing a sustained energy boost without the sugar crash. There’s a simple joy in having a batch of these donuts ready to go on a busy morning, knowing you’re giving your body something good. The combination of tender pumpkin, warm spices, and a nutty pecan topping makes them feel both indulgent and wholesome.

I hope this recipe inspires you to get into the kitchen and bake something wonderful. It’s a reminder that a little bit of nourishment and a lot of flavor can go a long way. So, go ahead, preheat that oven, and get ready to bake a batch of donuts that will fill your home with the most incredible aroma. I’d love to hear how these donuts change your mornings for the better! Share your experience or any delicious variations you came up with in the comments below. Happy baking!