Pumpkin spice donut recipe

If you adore all things cozy, sweet, and spiced, this pumpkin spice donut recipe will win your heart with the very first bite. These baked donuts pair the warm flavors of pumpkin and autumn spices with a pillow-soft crumb and a sparkling cinnamon sugar coating, making them perfect for breakfast, dessert, or your next fall get-together. Imagine a fresh donut that’s moist, fragrant, and just the right touch of indulgent; you’ll fall in love and so will everyone who gets a taste!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This pumpkin spice donut recipe keeps it straightforward and accessible, letting the heartwarming flavors shine. Every ingredient plays a vital role, from creating the tender texture to infusing the donuts with gorgeous color and rich, autumny flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the perfect structure for donuts that are both light and satisfying, never dense.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: The essential mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves delivers the signature fall aroma and taste.
• Baking Powder: Helps the donuts rise so they’re fluffy with just the right amount of airiness.
• Salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and intensifies all the flavors.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds not only color, but incredible moistness and a subtle earthy sweetness.
• Olive Oil: Keeps the crumb tender and brings a subtle richness that lets the pumpkin shine.
• Butter (melted): Adds luscious, buttery flavor and helps with the coating step for extra indulgence.
• Vanilla Extract: A small splash deepens the complexity of the flavor profile.
• Eggs (room temp): Bind everything together and give the donuts their perfect cake-like texture.
• Brown Sugar: Lends a caramel-like depth and helps keep the donuts moist.
• Granulated Sugar: Used in both the batter and the sparkly cinnamon-sugar coating for irresistible texture and taste.
• Cinnamon (for coating): Blended with sugar, it brings a perfectly spiced, crunchy finish.

How to Make Pumpkin spice donut recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease your large donut pan with cooking spray or a dab of butter to ensure your donuts glide out easily after baking. Taking a moment for this step is a total game-changer for that beautiful donut shape and easy cleanup.

Step 2: Make the Wet Mixture

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, olive oil, melted butter, vanilla extract, eggs, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, golden-orange batter with streaks of melted butter and fluffy sugar blending right in.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

To keep the donuts light and avoid overmixing, add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt directly into the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon just until no streaks of flour remain—your batter should look thick and soft, bursting with warm spice aromas.

Step 4: Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon your batter into a piping bag, or simply use a zip-top plastic bag fitted over a cup. Snip off one corner and squeeze the batter evenly into each well of the pan, filling to about three-quarters full. This method keeps the process mess-free and ensures perfect, round donuts every time. Your pumpkin spice donut recipe batter should yield 8 large donuts.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pan into the oven and bake the donuts for about 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops spring back gently to the touch. Let the donuts cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely—patience is key to keep that lovely, fluffy texture.

Step 6: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

For that extra touch that makes this pumpkin spice donut recipe irresistible, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Once the donuts are totally cool, generously brush each with melted butter, covering every nook and cranny. Dip each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture, rolling them to ensure a sumptuous, sparkly coating. Voilà—you’re ready to indulge!

How to Serve Pumpkin spice donut recipe

Garnishes

For that bakery-style finish, I love serving these donuts with a final sprinkle of cinnamon sugar just before bringing them to the table. You can add a dusting of powdered sugar if you want extra festivity, or even a little drizzle of caramel if you’re feeling decadent.

Side Dishes

These donuts are spectacular on their own, but if you want to make a spread, they pair beautifully with a mug of spiced chai, hot apple cider, or a cozy pumpkin latte. For breakfast or brunch, serve them alongside a big bowl of fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking your donuts on a tiered dessert stand for a centerpiece-worthy brunch display, or serve them in a rustic basket lined with a plaid napkin for a picnic vibe. For parties, offer an array of toppings—think mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or maple glaze—for guests to customize their donuts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is honestly a rare occurrence), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For best results, skip the cinnamon sugar coating until you’re ready to enjoy—this keeps them fresh and prevents the coating from absorbing moisture.

Freezing

To freeze your pumpkin spice donuts, first leave off the coating. Wrap each cooled donut individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully in the freezer for up to two months—perfect for when a craving hits!

Reheating

When you’re ready to reheat, let the donuts thaw at room temperature or give them a quick (10-15 second) zap in the microwave. Once they’re soft and warm, brush with melted butter and dip in cinnamon sugar so each bite is as dreamy as the day you baked them.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

It’s best to stick to plain pumpkin puree for this pumpkin spice donut recipe. Pumpkin pie filling is pre-sweetened and spiced, which can throw off the balance of flavors and the texture in this recipe.

What if I don’t have a donut pan?

Don’t worry! You can make this recipe using a muffin tin—just note you’ll have cute pumpkin spice donut muffins instead. Reduce the baking time by a few minutes and check doneness with a toothpick.

Can I make these donuts gluten free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite one-to-one gluten free baking blend. The rest of the ingredients work great as-is for a gluten free pumpkin spice donut recipe.

How do I keep my donuts from being dry?

The key is not to overbake them and to measure your ingredients carefully. The pumpkin puree and both types of fat (olive oil and butter) ensure a soft, moist crumb, so watching your bake time is key.

Can I double the pumpkin spice donut recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles beautifully! Just make sure not to overcrowd your oven, and keep an eye on doneness if you’re baking multiple pans at once.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a special treat that brings instant coziness and plenty of smiles, this pumpkin spice donut recipe truly delivers. Gather your favorite fall spices, warm up that oven, and treat yourself to homemade donuts that taste like a hug in every bite. I can’t wait for you to share these with your family and friends—don’t forget to save one for yourself!

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