Print

Baked Pumpkin Cake Donuts Recipe

4.8 from 103 reviews

These Baked Pumpkin Cake Donuts are a delightful fall treat, combining the rich, moist texture of cake donuts with the warm spices of pumpkin pie spice. Perfectly soft and lightly sweetened, these donuts are baked instead of fried, making them a healthier and easy-to-make alternative to traditional donuts. Enjoy them glazed, dusted with sugar, or plain with your favorite coffee or tea.

Ingredients

Scale

Donut Batter

  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a donut pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, eggs, milk, granulated sugar, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, and baking powder into the wet mixture. Stir gently until the batter is smooth and no flour streaks remain, but avoid overmixing.
  4. Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full to give space for the donuts to rise.
  5. Bake Donuts: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the donuts are set, a toothpick inserted comes out clean, and they are lightly golden on top.
  6. Cool and Serve: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, optionally glaze them with your favorite icing or dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

  • Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the donuts tender and light.
  • You can substitute pumpkin pie spice with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves if preferred.
  • For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based milk and butter substitute.
  • Glaze options include a simple powdered sugar glaze or a cream cheese frosting for added richness.
  • Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: pumpkin donuts, baked donuts, pumpkin spice, fall desserts, cake donuts, homemade donuts