Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Fall Flavors in Every Bite: Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Introduction
Hey there! I’m super excited to dive into the cozy and comforting world of easy baked pumpkin donuts. Picture this: a crisp autumn morning, wrapped up in your favorite sweater, with a warm, pumpkin-flavored treat right out of the oven. This recipe is all about capturing the essence of fall with every bite, blending the rich tastes of pumpkin puree, cinnamon sugar, and all those spices we crave as the leaves start to change. And the best part? It’s so simple to make, welcoming bakers of any level to the kitchen with open arms. Whether you’re someone who adores pumpkin spice everything or just looking for a delightful autumn treat, these baked donuts are a must-try. So, let’s embark on this baking adventure together, filling our homes with the scent of pumpkin and cinnamon, and most importantly, creating memories with every batch we bake.
Key Takeaways:
- Fall in Love with Baking: The perfect recipe for anyone looking to enjoy the sweet flavors of pumpkin and spices.
- Easy and Accessible: Ideal for bakers of all skills, ensuring a fun and straightforward experience in the kitchen.
- Cozy Autumn Vibes: Embodies the spirit of the season, making it the perfect treat for crisp mornings or as a delightful snack.
Why Choose Baked Over Fried
Hey there! If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for baking tricks that keep things simple and less messy, all while sticking to a somewhat healthier lifestyle. That’s why when it comes to making pumpkin donuts, I choose baking over frying. Not only does it cut down on the oil, making it a better choice for our health, but it also means less cleanup in the kitchen – and who isn’t for having fewer dishes to wash?

Another perk is that, contrary to what some might think, baked donuts can be absolutely mouthwatering. I promise, with the right pumpkin donut recipe, you’re not sacrificing taste one bit. Imagine those warm spices in pumpkin puree mingling with cinnamon sugar in a light, airy doughnut. It’s like wrapping up all the best flavors of fall into one neat, little package. So, trust me on this, opting to bake your donuts fits beautifully into a healthier lifestyle without having to say goodbye to indulgence.
Gathering Your Ingredients
Gathering the ingredients for our easy-baked pumpkin donuts is like embarking on a cozy journey into the heart of fall. Let’s start with the basics:
- Pumpkin puree brings the essence of autumn right into our kitchens, paired with all-purpose flour to give our donuts that tender crumb we all crave.
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar melt together to add just the right amount of sweetness, while vegetable oil keeps everything moist.
- Milk (and hey, if you’re dairy-free, almond or oat milk works wonders here) blends smoothly into our concoction, ensuring our batter is just the right consistency.
- Baking powder gives our donuts that lift, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice whisk us away into that nostalgic fall flavor paradise.
- Lastly, for that irresistible finish, unsalted butter helps our cinnamon sugar coating cling to each donut, creating a texture and taste that sings autumn in every bite.
Each ingredient plays its part in crafting the perfect fall treat, proving that simple baking can yield extraordinary flavors.
Step-by-Step Baking Guide
Hey there! Let’s dive right into the heart of making those fantastic easy baked pumpkin donuts. I’m here to walk you through a foolproof, step-by-step guide that’s sure to end with you pulling a batch of these autumn treats straight from your oven. Trust me, with these pointers, your baked donuts will be bursting with that signature pumpkin flavor – moist, tender, and just perfect. Now, if there’s one golden rule in baking, especially when it comes to donuts, it’s this: don’t over-mix the batter. Overdoing it can lead to donuts tougher than a two-dollar steak, and nobody wants that. Follow along, and let’s keep things light and fluffy, just like our ideal donut.
Preparing the Donut Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and generously spray your donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your donuts will release easily after baking, capturing that perfect donut shape we’re all after.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt – in one bowl. This blend of spices is what gives our pumpkin donuts their signature autumn flair.
- In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients – pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and milk. The pumpkin puree and brown sugar come together to create that deep, rich flavor, while the vegetable oil keeps our donuts moist.
- Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. It’s crucial not to over-mix here; we want our donuts to be light and fluffy, not tough.
- Once your batter is ready, transfer it to a piping bag or a large Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off. This makes filling the donut pan much easier and keeps the kitchen mess to a minimum.
Baking Your Donuts
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab that non-stick cooking spray. A light coat on your donut pan will make sure your pumpkin flavored treats pop right out after baking.
- Pipe the batter evenly into each cavity of your donut pan. If you don’t have a piping bag, no worries! A simple ziplock bag with the corner snipped off works just as well for this easy baking tip.
- Bake for 15-16 minutes, keeping a close eye on your oven. Every oven is slightly different, so it’s crucial to check your donuts for that perfect golden hue. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.
- Let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before attempting to remove them. This patience pays off, ensuring your donuts maintain their perfect shape and making them easier to handle for the next step.
- Transfer to a cooling rack to let them cool completely. This extra cooling time is not just a test of your willpower; it’s key for getting that cinnamon sugar to stick beautifully without melting away.
The Finishing Touch: Cinnamon Sugar Coating
Now, let me share with you the final flourish that makes these easy-baked pumpkin donuts irresistibly special – the cinnamon sugar coating. This seemingly simple step is where the magic really happens, transforming our already delicious pumpkin donuts into a treat that’s absolutely divine. The key here lies in achieving an evenly distributed coat of that sweet and spice mixture, ensuring that each bite is as perfect as the last.

I either brush each donut with melted unsalted butter or, in a pinch, give them a quick dip to make sure the surface is ready to hold onto all that cinnamon sugar goodness. Trust me, this extra touch is what makes these donuts not just great, but unforgettable. Whether you’re savoring them on a crisp autumn morning or sharing them as a thoughtful gift, that impeccable blend of cinnamon and sugar paired with the moist pumpkin flavor is bound to make everyone’s fall a little bit brighter.
Serving and Storage Tips
Now, let’s dive into a little chat about keeping those scrumptious pumpkin donuts as delightful as the moment they came out of the oven. Whether you’re savoring them right away or saving some for later, maintaining their freshness is key. I found that these autumn treats are best enjoyed immediately, giving you the full experience of their pumpkin flavor and that irresistible cinnamon sugar coating. But if you need to store them, tucking them into an airtight container keeps them soft and delicious for a couple of days. And hey, thinking of making someone’s day? These baked donuts wrapped up nicely can be the sweetest gift or a hit at your next potluck. It’s all about sharing the joy of fall, right?
Your Go-To Autumn Treat
There’s something almost magical about the aromas of pumpkin and cinnamon sugar wafting through the air, especially during the fall. Making these easy baked pumpkin donuts has become more than just a baking adventure for me; it’s a ritual that marks the beginning of autumn. The combination of pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg, all wrapped up in a soft, cakey donut and coated with that irresistible cinnamon sugar has the power to turn any morning into something special.
I’ve fallen in love with how pumpkin flavor, so rich and comforting, pairs with the sweet sparkle of cinnamon sugar. And the best part? These donuts bring the essence of fall into every bite without the hassle of deep frying. Using simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, baking powder, brown sugar, milk, and of course, pumpkin puree and spices, anyone can whip up a batch of these autumn treats.
But why keep all this goodness to yourself? The joy of baking is even sweeter when shared. I encourage you to take this easy baking journey with me. Make your own variations of these pumpkin donuts, play with the flavors, and share the results. Whether it’s an exchange of recipes or a batch of donuts, let’s spread the warmth and coziness of this season with those around us. After all, isn’t that what autumn is all about?

Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter , melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set it aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and milk.
- In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a spatula until just combined.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off. Pipe the batter into each donut cavity, dividing it evenly among the six donuts.
- Bake for 15-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Flip the pan upside down to release the donuts onto a cooling rack and let them cool for at least 10 more minutes.
- For the cinnamon sugar coating, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave. Use a pastry brush to coat the cooled donuts with melted butter, or quickly dip each side of the donut in the butter if you don’t have a brush.
- Combine the cinnamon sugar mixture in a bowl. Place each donut in the sugar mixture, flipping to coat both sides.
You forgot to include the ingredients list
So sorry! Someone brought it to my attention that the ingredients were missing. There was a glitch with the recipe card but I have updated it so it’s working now 🙂
Wheres the measurements???
Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention! It looks like the recipe card glitched, it should be working now 🙂
Do you think I could use canned pumpkin with the spice included & omit the pumpkin pie seasoning?
You can do that if you like! It won’t hurt 🙂
I doubled the recipe & added a little ginger, cinnamon -& cloves in place of pumpkin pie spice & used my little mini doughnut press. Added the cinnamon to the melted butter for dipping then rolled in sugar. AMAZING!! Best little donuts I’ve ever had & everyone who tried them was impressed. Thank you! Also I think you are the only person I’ve ever found worth following & I’m following with enthusiasm! Hoping you have a chili recipe!