These pumpkin donuts are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fall flavor! Coated in cinnamon sugar, they make for a delightful treat any time of day.
Honestly, I can’t resist them warm from the oven. Every bite feels like a cozy hug! Perfect with coffee or hot chocolate—who’s in for a taste? ☕🍩
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Canned Pumpkin Puree: This is the star of the show! If you don’t have canned, you can use homemade pumpkin puree made by roasting and blending fresh pumpkin. Just make sure it’s not too watery!
Sugars: I love using a mix of granulated and brown sugar for depth of flavor. You can swap brown sugar for coconut sugar for a healthier option, or use maple sugar for a unique taste.
Flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly here, but if you’re gluten-free, try a gluten-free flour blend. Just check the blend includes xanthan gum for the best texture.
Spices: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger gives these donuts a classic fall flavor. Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste or use pumpkin pie spice as a convenient alternative.
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Donut Texture?
Getting the right texture for your pumpkin donuts is crucial. Here’s how:
- Start by mixing wet and dry ingredients separately. This prevents overmixing.
- When you combine them, mix just until the flour is gone. Overmixing can lead to dense donuts.
- Fill your donut pan about 3/4 of the way full. This allows them to rise without overflowing.
- Let the donuts cool slightly before removing them from the pan. This helps maintain their shape.
These tips can really help you get that light and fluffy donut texture that everyone loves! Enjoy your baking! 🍩
Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Donuts:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- For the Optional Light Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful pumpkin donuts recipe will take about 10 minutes to prepare and around 15 minutes to bake. Just a little patience while they cool, and in no time, you’ll be enjoying these delicious treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan or spray it with non-stick cooking spray to ensure they come out easily. Don’t skip this step; nobody wants a stuck donut!
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the canned pumpkin puree, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until you have a smooth mixture. This is where the magic of flavor begins!
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger). This helps distribute the leavening agents evenly and gets rid of any lumps.
4. Combine Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix. We want fluffy donuts, not dense ones!
5. Fill the Donut Pan
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. This allows room for them to rise while baking.
6. Bake
Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The delightful pumpkin scent will fill your kitchen!
7. Cool
Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step keeps them from getting soggy.
8. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating
While the donuts cool, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. This will give them that sweet, spicy finish we love!
9. Coat the Donuts
Brush each cooled donut with melted butter. Then, dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture, making sure to coat them evenly. Yum!
10. Optional Glaze
If you want to add an extra touch, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the donuts for a beautiful finish.
11. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your delightful pumpkin donuts warm with a cup of coffee or your favorite warm beverage. Enjoy the sweet, fall flavors and share them with family and friends (if you want)! 🍩☕
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?
Absolutely! You can roast and puree fresh pumpkin if you’d like. Just ensure it’s well-drained to avoid adding extra moisture to the batter, which could affect the texture of the donuts.
How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Donuts?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature before enjoying!
Can I Make These Donuts Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure that your blend contains xanthan gum for proper texture. Bake as directed, and enjoy gluten-free pumpkin donuts!
What Can I Use Instead of Vegetable Oil?
If you don’t have vegetable oil on hand, you can use melted coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce for a healthier option. Both will work well to keep your donuts moist and delicious.
