Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

If you’re craving a cozy treat that feels just like fall in every bite, you’re going to love this Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe. These donuts are wonderfully soft, subtly spiced, and come together with just a handful of pantry staples – making them perfect for when you want something comforting but fuss-free. I remember the first time I made these on a chilly afternoon; the warm pumpkin aroma filled my kitchen and instantly lifted my spirits.

What makes this Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe truly special is how light and fluffy the donuts turn out, plus the cinnamon-sugar coating that adds just the right amount of sweet crunch. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or just because, these baked goodies are easy to whip up and a crowd-pleaser every time. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a fall favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

This Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe comes together with ingredients that each play an important role in texture and flavor. Plus, I’ve included a quick tip for each so you know why I love using them for this recipe.

• Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient giving moisture, seasonal flavor, and that beautiful orange hue.
• Milk: Keeps the batter tender and helps balance density from the pumpkin.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and keeps the donuts soft without a greasy feel.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base that provides structure but still yields a soft crumb.
• Brown Sugar: Gives a deeper sweetness and slightly chewy texture.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: The perfect spice blend to evoke warm fall vibes.
• Baking Powder: Helps donuts rise and become light and airy.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Salt: Bring out complex flavors and balance sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar, Butter, Cinnamon (for coating): Create that irresistible cinnamon sugar crust that’s classic and addictive.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how flexible this Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe is, so I often mix it up depending on what I have on hand and how I want to enjoy it. Sometimes I add a touch of maple syrup to the batter for extra sweetness or swap the cinnamon sugar coating for a drizzle of glaze. Feel free to personalize it—you can’t go wrong!

• Glaze Instead of Cinnamon Sugar: I once glazed these with a simple powdered sugar glaze—so good and perfect if you want less crunch.
• Make It Vegan: Swap milk for almond milk and use apple sauce instead of oil for a vegan spin.
• Add Nuts: For texture, fold in chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking.
• Spice It Up: Increase pumpkin pie spice if you love extra warmth or add a pinch of cloves.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

First things first—set your oven to 350ºF to preheat, and grease your donut pan with a good non-stick cooking spray. I find this step tiny but crucial because it ensures your donuts release easily without any crumbling or sticking. While the oven warms up, you’re ready to mix!

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and milk until smooth. This combination forms the moist foundation for your donuts. I like to make sure the brown sugar is well incorporated here to avoid any jagged graininess later.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate smaller bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. You’ll want these spices evenly distributed to get that consistent warm flavor throughout your donuts. Once mixed, gradually add this dry blend to the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula. Don’t overmix—stop when just combined!

Step 4: Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer your batter to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the tip cut off. Piping is my favorite trick because it’s neat, fast, and gets you even donuts every time. Fill each cavity about ¾ full—remember, the donuts will rise a little but not a ton.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake your donuts for 15-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. I check at 15 minutes and then adjust if needed. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 10 minutes so they firm up a bit, then flip the pan over onto a cooling rack. Give them another 10 minutes to fully cool before adding the coating.

Step 6: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the donuts cool, melt your butter. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each donut with melted butter (or dip them quickly if you don’t have a brush). Then roll them gently in a cinnamon sugar mixture until thoroughly coated. This step adds a delicious sweet and spicy surface that I can’t get enough of.

How to Serve Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and let the cinnamon sugar shine, but sometimes I dust a little powdered sugar or drizzle warmed maple syrup on top if I want an extra touch of sweetness. A small dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of crushed nuts can also elevate the presentation when serving guests.

Side Dishes

These pumpkin donuts pair beautifully with a hot cup of chai tea or freshly brewed coffee. For a heartier breakfast or brunch, try serving them alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, I like to place the donuts on a rustic wooden board, scatter some autumn leaves, and add small pumpkins around for a charming fall vibe. Wrapping them individually in parchment paper tied with twine is also a cute idea if you’re gifting these to friends or bringing them to a gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover donuts (though that rarely happens in my house!), keep them stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for about 2 days, and the texture remains delightfully soft when kept properly.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these donuts successfully by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you want one, just thaw at room temperature or warm quickly in a microwave for a few seconds—it’s like fresh-baked all over again!

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked softness, I reheat mine in a toaster oven for 3-4 minutes at 300ºF or zap them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Just be sure not to overheat or the donuts can dry out. Adding a tiny dab of butter before warming helps keep them moist.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe is truly one of those feel-good, easy-to-make treats that bring warmth and smiles to any table. I keep coming back to it every fall — it’s simple enough for a weekday breakfast but special enough for sharing with friends on a cozy weekend morning. Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll love how soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced these donuts are. Happy baking, friend!

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