Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Name: Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 large egg; 1½ cups pumpkin puree; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons milk; For the topping:; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 4 tablespoons butter (melted)

177 Comments By Jesseca on September 26, 2023

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These fluffy Baked Pumpkin Donuts are full of fall flavor! Ready in just about 30 minutes AND can be made in a muffin tin. The sweet pumpkin flavor is truly hard to resist!

Don’t forget to try some of my other favorite donut recipes! My favorites? Chocolate Cake Donuts, Apple Cider Donuts, Copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts!

White rectangle plate layered with baked donuts that have been sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar

Recipe Features

Easy: While I do love a good fried donut, baking donuts is easier, and cleaner. Stacks of fresh baked soft donuts that are loaded with flavor without the hassle.
Fall Flavor: These are loaded with pumpkin flavor. Perfect for chilly fall mornings or holidays!
Easy to Change: You can bake these in a muffin tin, add frosting, or even freeze for later!

This is one of the very first recipes I posted on this site way back in 2012. To this day, it is one of my all-time favorites.

When pumpkin season hits, you’re going to want some seriously delicious recipes. These pumpkin spice donuts fall perfectly into that category. Brushed with melted butter and tossed with the perfect combination of cinnamon and sugar. They are perfection.

These donuts are simple to make and ready in just about 30 minutes. Pumpkin puree and a mix of spices gives you the perfect delicate flavor without overpowering your taste buds. Bonus? No mixer required!

stack of three donuts that are sitting on a wooden table top with a plate of donuts in the background

Pumpkin Donut Ingredients:

These are delicious! Like, melt-in-your mouth pumpkin flavor with the sweet addition of a cinnamon and sugar coating. It took all of the willpower I had not to eat all 18 of these things as they came out of the oven. Here is what you need to get started:

Baking Supplies: Flour, leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda, and fall spices.
Sugar: I opted for white, or granulated, sugar. However, a brown sugar would work as well.
Butter: Unsalted butter works best for baked goods. You can use salted, just omit the added salt called for in the dry ingredients.
Egg: Egg works as a binder to the dough, holding everything together while also providing a touch of fat.
Pumpkin: Purchase pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. This helps you keep control of the spices added and give you the perfect balance of flavor.
Cinnamon and Sugar: A mix of cinnamon sugar as a topping is pure perfection.

donut tin with fresh baked donuts sitting inside on a wooden tabletop with a white napkin

How to Make Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Baked donuts are always a little more cake-like. A little more dense with a delicate crumb that is unbeatable.

PREP: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a donut pan with baking spray and set aside for later.
WHISK: Combine all of the dry ingredients into a small bowl and gently whisk together. Set aside for later.
BATTER: Combine 1/2 cup of the sugar with 1/4 cup of soft butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until the two have combined and are fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the pan and add the egg, pumpkin, vanilla and milk. Fold in the dry ingredients.
BAKE: Spoon, or pipe, the batter into the greased pans, filling each space half full. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. You’ll notice the donuts slightly begin to pull from the side of the pan.
CINNAMON: While the donuts are baking, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with the cinnamon. Brush the warm donuts with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Helpful Tools

Donut Pan: These can be made in either a donut pan (affiliate) or a muffin tin (affiliate).
Piping Bags: Can you spoon the batter into the pan? Yes. But it is much easier to use a piping bag (affiliate). They are inexpensive and give you a perfect filled donut.
Silicone Pastry Brush: A good pastry brush (affiliate) will make it super simple to get butter on every inch of the donut.

close up image of a white plate that is topped with fresh baked donuts that have been tossed in cinnamon and sugar sitting on a wooden table top

Recipe Notes:

Can donuts be baked in a muffin tin?

Yes! No need to purchase special equipment to be able to enjoy this recipe. Make these in a muffin tin by filling each tin half full. Check at 12 minutes for doneness.

Can you add frosting to these donuts?

Yes! If you aren’t a fan of cinnamon and sugar, you can add a spiced frosting or glaze.

How long do these donuts last?

If properly stored, these donuts will last up to 2 days. After 2 days they will become slightly stale and less moist.

How do you store baked donuts?

Keep these at room temperature inside a quality air tight container.

More Must Try Pumpkin Recipes

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