These warm baked pumpkin spice donuts are a fall favorite! With a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, they are soft, fluffy, and perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat.
Grab your cozy sweater and a cup of coffee, because these donuts will make your morning brighter! They’re so easy to whip up, even I can do it without making a mess! 🍩
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This gives structure to the donuts. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Pumpkin Spice: Great for flavor! If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, mix 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, and a pinch of ginger and cloves.
Canned Pumpkin Puree: Using canned pumpkin is convenient, but you can also mash roasted pumpkin or butternut squash. They’ll work great too!
Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1/2 cup of milk with 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Vegetable Oil: I prefer using melted butter for richness, but any neutral oil like canola or coconut oil works well too.
How Can I Ensure My Donuts Are Fluffy and Soft?
The key to fluffy donuts is not overmixing! When you combine wet and dry ingredients, mix just until you see no more flour. Overmixing can lead to dense donuts.
- Another tip is to bake them at the right temperature. Make sure your oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C).
- Check them around the 12-minute mark. A toothpick should come out clean. Keep an eye on them as ovens vary!
- Don’t skip cooling them briefly in the pan; it helps them maintain their shape.
How to Make Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Donuts:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice (or mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation time and 12-14 minutes for baking. After that, you’ll need a little time to cool the donuts. Overall, you’ll be enjoying them in about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, lightly grease a donut pan or spray it with nonstick spray. This will help your donuts come out easily once they’re baked!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. This mix is going to give your donuts that yummy flavor!
3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined.
4. Combine It All:
Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix; a few lumps are totally fine!
5. Fill the Donut Pan:
Using a spoon or a piping bag, carefully fill each cavity in the donut pan about 3/4 full with batter. This will give them room to rise without overflowing.
6. Bake the Donuts:
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. You want them to be golden and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing!
7. Cool Down:
Once baked, let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps keep them nice and fluffy!
8. Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
If you’re doing the cinnamon sugar coating, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. While the donuts are still warm, dip each one into melted butter or a bit of milk, then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
9. Optional Glaze:
If you want a sweet glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, then set them on a rack. Feel free to sprinkle on some pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon for an extra touch!
10. Enjoy!
Your delicious baked pumpkin spice donuts are now ready! Serve them warm or at room temperature with your favorite coffee or tea. Enjoy this delightful treat any time of the day!
Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour for These Donuts?
Absolutely! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. This will allow you to enjoy delicious pumpkin spice donuts while avoiding gluten.
How Should I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them. Just place them in a freezer bag or container; they can last for about 1 month in the freezer!
What Can I Use Instead of Buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, simply mix 1/2 cup of milk with 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, then use it in your recipe!
Can I Make These Donuts Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the batter and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready, just fill the donut pan and bake. Alternatively, you can bake the donuts and glaze them the next day; they taste just as wonderful! Just make sure to store them properly.
