Delicious Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Irresistible Spiced Glaze: Your Perfect Fall Treat
Welcome the crisp air of autumn with these incredibly moist and flavorful Baked Pumpkin Donuts. Each donut is lovingly crafted with a perfect blend of warm fall spices and then generously dunked in a luscious spiced glaze, creating a heavenly treat. They are ideal for savoring alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of cold milk, making them the ultimate indulgence for those cool, inviting fall mornings.
Friends, the glorious pumpkin season is officially here, and I’m thrilled to share a special recipe that will capture your heart! My fluffy, tender baked pumpkin donuts are the perfect way to kick off the season with an easy and delightful fall breakfast. Forget rushing out to the local donut shop; baking these homemade delights will not only reward you with a superior taste but also fill your home with an intoxicating aroma of pumpkin spice. These aren’t just any donuts; they are a celebration of autumn’s best flavors, crafted right in your own kitchen.
Homemade Baked Pumpkin Donuts: A Fall Favorite
There’s something uniquely comforting about homemade pumpkin donuts. Every bite is packed with authentic pumpkin flavor, beautifully complemented by a rich, spiced vanilla glaze. These easy-to-make treats are guaranteed to satisfy your deepest donut cravings and quickly become a cherished fall tradition. Unlike their fried counterparts, these baked donuts offer a lighter texture while still delivering all the rich, decadent flavor you expect from a classic fall dessert.
My journey with this beloved pumpkin donut recipe began back in 2015. I initially envisioned rolling them in a simple cinnamon sugar topping as they emerged from the oven. However, as the delicious smell filled my kitchen, a brilliant idea sparked! I decided to elevate them with a homemade glaze. While a pumpkin-infused glaze crossed my mind, I ultimately opted to harness those quintessential warm fall spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves – to create an unforgettable spiced donut glaze instead. And let me tell you, that decision made all the difference! The result was an absolute revelation, transforming a simple donut into an extraordinary autumnal experience.
If you’re a fan of homemade donuts, you might also love exploring these other delightful recipes: Double Chocolate Baked Donuts, Powdered Sugar Donuts and Baked Banana Donuts. Each offers a unique flavor profile but shares the same homemade charm.
Why You’ll Adore This Pumpkin Cake Donut Recipe
Did you know that you can achieve delightfully fluffy donuts by baking them instead of traditional frying? This method not only results in fewer calories, making them a healthier option, but also simplifies the cooking process and reduces mess. Plus, if you don’t own a donut pan, there’s no need to worry! You can easily adapt this recipe by using a standard muffin pan, creating a donut shape by placing small balls of aluminum foil in the center of each muffin cup before adding the batter.
Infused with the iconic spices of autumn, these seasonal treats are incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion. Serve them as a festive breakfast, a delectable brunch item, or a satisfying afternoon snack. They boast a truly soft, cake-like texture, a pleasant sweetness, and are bursting with that irresistible pumpkin spice flavor. Imagine the warmth and coziness these treats bring to your home – pure yum!
The secret to the unparalleled deliciousness of these donuts lies in their glorious spiced glaze. This easy-to-make glaze combines smooth powdered sugar with just the right amount of milk, enhanced by a generous medley of classic fall spices. Expect notes of earthy nutmeg, warm cinnamon, and a hint of zesty ginger, all working in harmony to create a truly over-the-top flavor experience that will have everyone reaching for more.
Essential Ingredients for Your Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts
For a complete list of measurements and detailed instructions for this easy and rewarding recipe, please scroll down to the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
For the Moist Pumpkin Donuts:
- Vegetable oil: Provides essential moisture and helps create that tender, cake-like texture.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, adding richness and structure to the donut batter.
- Sugar: Sweetens the donuts to perfection and contributes to their golden-brown crust.
- Pumpkin puree: The star ingredient, bringing natural moisture and an earthy, sweet pumpkin flavor. Ensure you use pure pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar that would alter the recipe’s balance.
- Baking powder: The primary leavening agent, ensuring your donuts are light and fluffy.
- Classic Fall Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Cloves): This aromatic blend infuses the donuts with a warm, cozy flavor. For convenience, you can substitute these individual spices with a pre-made Pumpkin Pie Spice blend, which offers a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Salt: A crucial ingredient that enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The structural foundation of our cake donuts, ensuring they hold their shape and have a tender crumb.
For the Irresistible Spiced Donut Glaze:
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioner’s sugar, it creates a smooth, sweet, and quick-setting glaze.
- Milk: Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work to achieve the desired consistency for your glaze.
- Vanilla extract: For the best flavor, reach for pure vanilla extract. Its rich, aromatic notes make a significant difference in the final taste of the glaze.
- More Fall Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Cloves): These spices are essential for infusing the glaze with that signature warm, autumnal essence. As with the donuts, you can easily use pumpkin pie spice as a convenient substitute for this blend.
How to Create These Delightful Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts
These pumpkin spice donuts are wonderfully straightforward to prepare, ensuring you can enjoy a delicious homemade fall breakfast in just a few simple and satisfying steps!
FIRST: Prepare Your Baking Environment. Begin by preheating your oven to a cozy 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). While the oven heats, take a moment to thoroughly spray your donut pan with a reliable nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures that your beautifully baked donuts will release effortlessly from the pan once they’re done.
SECOND: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, and sugar. Beat these wet ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth. Next, add in your warm fall spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves), baking powder, and salt, mixing until just incorporated. Finally, gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until the flour is just combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough donuts.
THIRD: Fill and Bake to Perfection. Carefully spoon approximately 3-4 tablespoons of the pumpkin donut batter into each section of your prepared donut pan. You can use a piping bag for neater results, or simply a spoon. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked and deliciously moist inside. The edges should be lightly golden brown.
FOURTH: Cool Before Glazing. Once baked, gently remove the donuts from the pan. Transfer them to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool for just a couple of minutes. They should still be slightly warm when you glaze them, as this helps the glaze adhere beautifully and creates a thin, even coating.
FIFTH: Create and Apply the Spiced Glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the spiced glaze ingredients: powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and your chosen fall spices. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. Heat the glaze in the microwave for a few seconds until it’s just warm and perfectly dippable. Immediately before dunking, briefly warm the glaze. Dip the top of each slightly warm donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Return the glazed donuts to the wire rack and let the glaze set completely before serving.
For an alternative presentation, you could transfer the glaze to a piping bag or even a simple plastic bag with a snipped corner and elegantly drizzle the spiced glaze over the donut tops. If you prefer a different kind of coating, these pumpkin donuts are equally delicious when dunked in a mixture of cinnamon sugar instead of the wet glaze. The possibilities for enjoying these fall treats are endless!
Enjoy every delightful bite!
Tips for Storing Your Spiced Pumpkin Glazed Donuts
These baked pumpkin donuts are exceptionally moist, which makes them absolutely divine when eaten fresh. For the best flavor and texture, I highly recommend enjoying them right after they’re made and the glaze has set. If you must store them, avoid placing them in an airtight container, as the moisture will cause the glaze to become soggy and the donuts themselves to lose their fresh appeal quickly.
Instead, if you have leftovers, place them in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet and cover them loosely with a paper towel or a clean tea towel. This allows some air circulation, helping to preserve the glaze’s texture for a day or so at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked pumpkin donuts without the glaze. Once completely cooled, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and then prepare and apply the fresh spiced glaze.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If you’re already envisioning making these easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts year after year, be sure to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest recipe board! It’s the perfect way to save it for quick access whenever that fall craving strikes. Share the joy of homemade goodness with your friends and family!
Unlocking the Magic of Pumpkin Spice Flavor
The secret to truly captivating fall flavors lies in a high-quality pumpkin spice blend. You can infuse that incredible pumpkin spice flavor into a myriad of recipes with my simple homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe! It’s not only tastier than store-bought versions but also significantly more economical. Once you try it, I promise you’ll want to sprinkle this versatile blend on just about everything.
We absolutely adore it mixed into our morning pancakes, stirred into waffle batter, or even simply sprinkled over slices of fresh apples or pears for an unexpectedly delightful sweet treat. It’s the essence of fall in a jar, ready to transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary autumnal delights.
More Irresistible Pumpkin Recipes to Love
If these Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts have sparked your love for all things pumpkin, you’re in for a treat! The versatility of pumpkin in both sweet and savory dishes is truly amazing. Here are more fantastic pumpkin-centric recipes to inspire your fall cooking and baking adventures:
- Pumpkin Spice Banana Muffins (pictured above): A perfect fusion of two classic comfort foods.
- Pumpkin White Russian Cocktail: An elegant and festive drink for adult gatherings.
- Apple Pumpkin Strudel: A flaky, fruity, and utterly delicious dessert.
- The BEST Pumpkin Bread: A quintessential fall bake, moist and full of flavor.
- Savory Pumpkin Cheese Dip with Bacon: A surprisingly addictive appetizer for your autumn entertaining.
- Pumpkin Zucchini Streusel Bread: A delightful blend of vegetables and fall spices.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Brownies: The ultimate decadent dessert, combining two favorites.
- Cinderella Cake (Pumpkin Bundt Cake): A majestic and flavorful bundt cake, perfect for any fall celebration.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte: Recreate your favorite coffee shop drink at home!
Embrace the vibrant flavors of the fall season, and don’t forget to let me know in the comments how much you enjoyed making and savoring these yummy pumpkin doughnuts! Happy baking!
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Print Recipe
Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Equipment
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Rubber Spatulas
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Glass Batter Bowl
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Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
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KitchenAid Hand Mixer
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Wilton Non-Stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count
Ingredients
- FOR THE DONUTS:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree do NOT use pumpkin pie filling
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups + 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- FOR THE SPICED DONUT GLAZE:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray your donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
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Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, and sugar together in your mixer. Add in spices and baking powder and salt mix. Slowly add in flour, and mix until incorporated.
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Spoon about 3-4 Tablespoons of donut batter into each donut section. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until tester comes out clean.
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Let cool on a wire rack for a couple of minutes, then dunk in glaze while still slightly warm.
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Whisk Glaze ingredients together, and heat in the microwave until warm right before you dunk the donuts. Dunk the top, return to rack and let glaze set.
Notes
You can replace the spices with a pumpkin pie spice if you like. Here is the link to my Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice.
Nutrition
This delicious recipe for Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts was originally posted on October 11, 2015. It has been thoroughly updated to improve user experience and re-shared on September 20, 2022, ensuring you have the best possible baking experience.
Many home bakers have asked where to purchase my favorite donut pan — you can conveniently grab one RIGHT HERE to start your homemade donut journey!