Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe

I absolutely love this Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe because it brings all those cozy fall flavors into a sweet, tender little treat that you can make right at home. When the air starts getting crisp and the leaves change colors, these donuts quickly become my go-to comfort food—perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a simple dessert after dinner.

What makes this Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe truly special is how easy it is to whip up without sacrificing that rich homemade feel. You don’t need any fancy equipment—just a mini donut pan and simple pantry ingredients—and you’ll find that the warm blend of pumpkin and spices flavors every bite like a hug on a chilly day. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be making them all season long!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together to create soft, flavorful donuts with just the right amount of spice and sweetness. Don’t skimp on the pumpkin pie spice—it really brings that authentic fall vibe!

• Flour: I use all-purpose flour for a classic texture; make sure it’s measured accurately for the best rise.
• Baking powder: This little leavening agent helps the donuts puff up light and airy.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Essential for that warm, spicy pumpkin flavor—blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Salt: Balances all the sweetness while enhancing flavors.
• Pumpkin puree: Use canned 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for true pumpkin flavor with moisture.
• Brown sugar: Adds deeper, molasses sweetness and keeps the donuts tender.
• Milk: You can use any milk you like; whole milk works best for richness.
• Butter (softened and melted): Softened butter comes into the batter for tenderness; melted butter is perfect for that cinnamon sugar dip.
• Cinnamon sugar: A mix of sugar and cinnamon to coat the donuts—this sweet crust is what makes these donuts irresistible.

Variations

I love playing around with this Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe depending on the mood or occasion—don’t be afraid to tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs!

• Gluten-Free Variation: I’ve swapped regular flour for a gluten-free blend once, and it still turned out wonderfully soft, though slightly denser.
• Vegan Version: Using plant-based milk and coconut oil instead of butter works well to keep the donuts moist and flavorful.
• Spice Boost: For an extra kick, try adding a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the batter—I like this especially around the holidays.
• Frosting Twist: Instead of the classic cinnamon sugar coat, dip your donuts in a simple maple glaze for a different sweet finish.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, in a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until they’re evenly combined. I always like to give my dry ingredients a good stir so the spices distribute well—this helps avoid those spicy clumps in your donuts.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a larger bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, milk, and softened butter together until smooth. When I first tried this recipe, I noticed that softening the butter instead of melting it for the batter made a noticeable difference in texture—these donuts turned out wonderfully tender. Once your wet ingredients are well mixed, slowly fold in the dry mixture just until combined. Be gentle here; over-mixing can make your donuts tough, but under-mixing might leave you with pockets of flour, which isn’t very pleasant!

Step 3: Pipe and Bake the Donuts

Transfer your batter to a piping bag or a sturdy zipper bag with a small corner snipped off. Grease your mini donut pan well—this is key to easy release—and fill each cavity about 3/4 full. I always find piping to be much cleaner than spooning here. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, checking around the 12-minute mark. The donuts should spring back gently when you poke them or a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Waiting too long to pull them out risks drying them, so keep an eye on the clock!

Step 4: Dip in Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

Once your donuts are cool enough to handle, melt 1/4 cup butter in a shallow bowl. Set up another bowl with your cinnamon sugar mixture (3 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon). One donut at a time, dip it fully into the melted butter, then immediately roll it around in the cinnamon sugar until it’s completely coated. This extra step adds a wonderful crispy, sweet finish that my family goes crazy for. Just be careful not to double-dip the same donut or you’ll end up with soggy spots—dip and coat each one only once!

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with the cinnamon sugar coating because it’s perfectly sweet and crunchy, but sometimes I sprinkle a little extra nutmeg or drizzle a thin glaze of powdered sugar icing for a festive touch. On chilly mornings, a dusting of powdered sugar on warm donuts feels like a little celebration each bite.

Side Dishes

These donuts pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a cold glass of milk. For brunch, I like serving them alongside scrambled eggs or a spiced apple compote to round out the fall flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these donuts on a pretty platter nestled with autumn leaves or cinnamon sticks for decoration. You could also try skewering a few on sticks to make donut “lollipops”—kids always think that’s fun and it’s easy for guests to grab and go!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for about 3-4 days. I find that keeping them away from moisture is key to maintaining their texture; if they start to feel a bit soft, a quick reheat helps enormously.

Freezing

If I want to save donuts for later, I freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They freeze great and thaw quickly at room temperature, making for an easy make-ahead treat.

Reheating

To bring your leftovers back to life, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a warm oven for a few minutes. This refreshes the cinnamon sugar coating and makes the donuts taste almost freshly baked again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe truly feels like a warm hug in food form—always cozy, always a crowd-pleaser. I love how quick and fuss-free it is, especially on busy mornings when I want something special but don’t want to spend hours baking. If you’re craving that perfect fall flavor with minimal effort, trust me and give this recipe a try. You’ll find yourself making these donuts on repeat, and sharing them with friends feels just as good as eating them!

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