Pumpkin Donuts

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These pumpkin donuts are so moist you won’t dare to dip them in anything! Also I gotta be real, many baked donuts are disappointing. They’re like tiny cupcakes without buttercream that have been over-baked. MEH!!!

These don’t have that problem, the pumpkin brings a lot of moisture and the glaze just seeps into the cake and makes each bite perfect!

Click here if you want to buy the donut pans I used. That is an affiliate link and I will earn a small commission. They are SO handy for making all sorts of easy baked donuts!!

How to Make homemade pumpkin spice mix

Mix together the following spices:

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Allspice
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1 pinch Cloves
• 1 pinch Cardamom
• 2 tsp instant espresso (optional but makes pumpkin spice latte dreams come true)

How to make Vegan Pumpkin donuts

For a vegan option nix the eggs, whisk in 7 1/2 teaspoons of ground flax seeds into nine tablespoons of water until it becomes gelatinous. Substitute the milk and half and half for for coconut or almond milk. Trade the butter out for vegetable or coconut oil.

Pro Tips for making baked pumpkin donuts

• Measure your flour correctly! Adding too much flour to the recipe is the most common mistake. The best, and easiest way to measure flour is by using a scale. If you don’t have one then fluff your flour with a spoon, sprinkle it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level it off.
• Because these are super-moist baked doughnuts the glaze will absorb into them so they are best eaten the day of.
• I LOVE my pumpkin spice mixture but you can sub in 2-2.5 tsp of store bought pumpkin spice if you’re in a rush.
• The instant espresso is optional but SO good. It really transforms these into dreamy PSL donuts!
• This recipe can be made as cupcakes if you don’t have a donut tin. I usually don’t like very specific kitchen tools but these pans REALLY come in handy!

Overview of steps to make pumpkin spice donuts

1. In a small bowl mix the spices together and set aside. Add the flour, brown sugar, half of your spice mixture, leavening agent, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk together until completely mixed.

2. Add the eggs, pumpkin purée, butter and milk and half and half then beat together until smooth and mixed. Scrape the bowl down if needed.

3. Transfer the batter to a piping bag, snip the tip off and pipe into your prepared donut pan. Bake until centers are springy.

4. To make the glaze mix sugar, spice mixture and the first tablespoon of milk together in a large bowl. You can add more milk if needed to achieve the correct consistency for your glaze.

5. Once the donuts have cooled spoon the glaze on, OR dip them into the glaze if you prefer.

6. Melt chocolate and espresso powder in a small bowl. Transfer to piping bag, snip tip off and swipe across donuts for a streaked effect.

IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE TRY THESE OUT

Mini Pumpkin Cakes

Big Pumpkin Cake

Witch Hat Cookies

Halloween Cupcakes

Spiderweb Sheet Cake

If you’ve tried this Pumpkin donut recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! 

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Pumpkin Donuts

Moist and delicious baked pumpkin spice doughnuts topped with a spiced espresso glaze and chocolate drizzle.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes

Total Time 33 minutes

Servings 20

Calories 250 kcal

Author John Kanell

Ingredients

For the Spice Mixture. (Reserve 1/2 for the glaze)

• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 2 tsp instant espresso
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cardamom

For the Donuts:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 240g
• 1/2 cup brown sugar packed, 100g
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter unsalted, room temperature, 30g
• 2 eggs

For the glaze

• 1¼ cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tbsp milk you might not use all

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 1/2 cup chocolate semi-sweet
• 1 tablespoon instant espresso

Instructions

For the Spice Mixture:

1. Mix the spices in a small bowl. You'll use half for the donuts and half for the glaze.

For the Donuts:

1. Heat oven to 325F. Coat donut pans with oil or cooking spray. 

2. In a stand mixer, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, half the pumpkin spice (about a 2 1/2 tsp), salt and baking soda. 

3. Add in pumpkin puree, eggs, milk and butter. Mix on low until mixture is thick.  

4. Transfer batter to a piping bag and snip the tip off. Pipe batter about 1/2 the way up.r. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the centers are springy to the touch. 

5. Allow to cool in pans for a minute then invert onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely  

For the Glaze:

1. Sift powdered sugar into a large bowl add about 2 tsp of the spice mixture and then ad a tablespoon of milk and mix until smooth. Add more milk a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

For the Ganache:

1. Melt chocolate and espresso powder in a double boiler or un a small bowl using a few 30 second bursts at 50% power.  

For the Assembly:

1. Spoon glaze over the cooled donuts OR dip them into the glaze.Let sit for a few minutes. 

2. Mix chocolate and transfer to a piping bag, snip the tip off and squeeze ganache chocolate over the donuts in a sweeping motion to produce chocolate lines. 

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• Measure your flour correctly! Adding too much flour to the recipe is the most common mistake. The best, and easiest way to measure flour is by using a scale. If you don't have one then fluff your flour with a spoon, sprinkle it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level it off.
• Because these are super-moist baked doughnuts the glaze will absorb into them so they are best eaten the day of.
• I LOVE my pumpkin spice mixture but you can sub in 2-2.5 tsp of store bought pumpkin spice if you're in a rush.
• The instant espresso is optional but SO good. It really transforms these into dreamy PSL donuts!
• This recipe can be made as cupcakes if you don't have a donut tin. I usually don't like very specific kitchen tools but these pans REALLY come in handy!

 

Nutrition Facts

Pumpkin Donuts

Amount Per Serving (1 donut)

Calories 250 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 10mg3%

Sodium 120mg5%

Potassium 23mg1%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 1150IU23%

Vitamin C 9.9mg12%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.