Name: Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup pumpkin puree (Not pumpkin pie filling); 0.75 cups granulated sugar; 0.33 cups vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 0.5 teaspoon baking soda; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 0.25 teaspoon ground ginger; 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2-3 tablespoons milk; 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 74 reviews

If you’re looking to bring a cozy, autumnal treat to your kitchen, this Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe is absolutely the answer. These donuts are tender, perfectly spiced with warming cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and boast a moist crumb thanks to the pumpkin puree. What makes them even better is how easy they are to prepare—baked, not fried, which means less fuss but all the comforting flavors you crave. Whether you’re gearing up for a fall brunch or a sweet snack, these donuts will quickly become a beloved favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Three donuts are stacked on a white plate on a white marbled surface. Each donut has a thick layer of light beige frosting on top with small nut crumbs sprinkled over it. The top donut has a bite taken from it, revealing a soft, brown, cake-like inside. There is a small piece of a donut with the same frosting lying next to the plate. The background is softly blurred with light neutral tones. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredients for this Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe are straightforward yet essential to achieving that perfect combination of flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Each component plays a key role, from the spices that infuse warmth to the pumpkin puree that provides moisture and color to the doughnuts.

All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure to your donuts, ensuring they hold their shape without being overly dense.
Pumpkin puree: Adds moisture and a subtle natural sweetness along with that gorgeous orange hue—be sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter while contributing to a slight tender crumb.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the donuts moist, making them soft and tender after baking.
Large eggs: These help bind everything together and assist in leavening for a light texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors, adding a warm background note that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
Baking powder and baking soda: These rising agents work in tandem to create fluffy, airy donuts.
Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens the overall flavor profile.
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves: A classic pumpkin spice blend that brings that quintessential autumn flavor.
Powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract (for glaze): Simple ingredients that combine into a luscious glaze to finish your donuts with a sweet, glossy touch.

How to Make Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grease your donut pan well with either cooking spray or butter to ensure the donuts release easily after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This creates a flavorful, moist base that’s perfectly sweetened.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the warming spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Mixing these dry ingredients evenly is key to consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. It’s important not to overmix here; this will keep your donuts tender and light rather than dense.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon your batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. For a clean, precise fill, you might want to transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.

Step 6: Bake the Donuts

Bake your donuts in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges start to pull away slightly from the pan.

Step 7: Cool Before Glazing

Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes to set up, then carefully transfer them to a rack to cool completely. This step is crucial so your glaze won’t slide off when applied.

Step 8: Make the Glaze

While your donuts cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to create a smooth, pourable glaze. Adjust the milk quantity to get your desired consistency—you want it thick enough to cling but thin enough to drizzle.

Step 9: Glaze Your Donuts

Dip the tops of your cooled donuts into the glaze or lightly drizzle it over each one. Then allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving, so you get that lovely shiny finish and just the right amount of sweetness.

How to Serve Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

The image shows several tan-colored donuts with smooth, light brown icing topped with small crumbles placed on a white rectangular tray over a white marbled surface. The donuts are stacked and spread out, with two of them partially eaten, revealing a soft, fluffy, brown inside. There is a small white bowl filled with the same crumble on the lower left side on top of a patterned white cloth. Two cups filled with coffee sit near the top, one with a woman's hand holding it, along with a coffee carafe filled with dark coffee. The whole scene is bright and cozy with a clean, white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding garnishes can make your Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe even more special. Consider sprinkling chopped toasted pecans, a dusting of cinnamon sugar, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips for a fun texture contrast that elevates each bite.

Side Dishes

These donuts pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a cozy mug of warm apple cider. For a more filling brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Show off your homemade goodness by arranging these donuts on a rustic wooden board or tiered dessert stand. Wrap some individually in parchment paper tied with twine and pass them out as thoughtful fall treats for guests or neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, keep your baked donuts fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 2 days.

Freezing

To enjoy these donuts later, freeze them individually on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen or stored donut, warm it gently in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or until just soft. This brings back that freshly-baked warmth and soft crumb perfectly.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

It’s best to stick with pure pumpkin puree, as pie filling contains added sugars and spices that will alter the flavor balance and could affect the texture of your donuts.

What type of pan should I use for these baked pumpkin donuts?

A donut pan is ideal as it gives the classic donut shape and helps the batter bake evenly, but in a pinch, you can use muffin tins to create donut-shaped muffins instead.

How can I make these donuts vegan?

You can substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) and swap the vegetable oil for a neutral-tasting plant-based oil or applesauce for moisture.

Is it possible to make these donuts gluten-free?

Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking, ensuring it contains xanthan gum or another binder to help hold the donuts together.

Can I add a cream cheese glaze instead of the powdered sugar glaze?

Definitely! A simple cream cheese glaze made from softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk or vanilla extract complements the pumpkin spices beautifully for an even richer finish.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe brings all the cozy, comforting flavors of fall straight to your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Once you try these donuts, you’ll understand why they’re such a cherished treat—soft, flavorful, and topped with a sweet glaze that’s simply irresistible. Go ahead and bake a batch; you’ll be so glad you did!