These pumpkin spice donuts are tender and fluffy on the inside and brimming with earthy pumpkin flavor and warming spices. This recipe has everything you crave in homemade donuts while being incredibly easy to make.
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Pumpkin spice season is approaching, and I couldn’t be happier. Everything about autumn is exciting — the colors, festive attitudes, changing weather, and of course, the flavors!
This easy pumpkin spice donuts recipe is just the thing you need to get into the spirit.
Whether you have a holiday get-together, an office party, or just hungry teenagers or toddlers, these pumpkin spice donuts are your ticket to success.
Whip up a batch of these beauties to wow and treat your friends and family. They are sure to be a crowd pleaser.
I like that this recipe is fancy enough for get-togethers and yet simple enough for any day of the week. The kids will be over the moon to have them for an indulgent Sunday breakfast or topped with ice cream for dessert.
Who doesn’t love moist and fluffy cake infused with the flavors of the season and topped with sweet vanilla frosting?
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- Everything you need to make this easy pumpkin spice donuts recipe.
- Step by step instructions for making mouthwatering pumpkin spice donuts.
- Expert tips for making the best baked pumpkin spice donuts.
You are going to love this easy pumpkin spice donuts recipe. It has everything you love about homemade donuts without any of the guilt or hassle.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Donuts
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and use nonstick cooking spray to grease two 6-well donut pans.
STEP TWO: Whisk the milk, pumpkin puree, melted butter, egg, and vanilla together in a large bowl. Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and pumpkin spice, mixing until just combined with no large lumps. Don’t overmix!
STEP THREE: Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe it into the prepared pans. Only fill each section halfway full to allow for rising. I love my Wilton donut pans you can find here.
STEP FOUR: Bake your donuts for 16-18 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the donuts to a wire rack and let them cool completely before frosting.
STEP FIVE: To make the frosting, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Depending on your preference, feel free to add more sugar to thicken or milk to thin your frosting.
You can also use my cream cheese frosting without butter recipe for a change up too!
STEP SIX: Once cooled, frost your donuts, sprinkle with pumpkin spice, and allow an additional 10 minutes for your frosting to set. Serve and Enjoy!
Can You Bake Donuts Instead of Deep Frying?
Absolutely! You can totally bake donuts instead of deep frying them, and this recipe for baked pumpkin spice donuts will show you exactly how.
Baking your donuts makes the entire process simpler to make, easier to clean up, and even makes them a bit healthier.
Which is The Best Flour For Donuts?
All-purpose flour is the best option for these tasty pumpkin treats. It has the perfect balance of what is needed to create the light, fluffy, tender interior that makes these pumpkin spice donuts so scrumptious.
I have yet to try making these donuts with gluten free, but feel free to give it a shot. Use a cup for cup blend, and know that your donuts will likely come out a bit denser.
I bet they will still be totally scrumptious. Let us know how it goes if you try this out.
Do Baked Donuts Taste the Same as Fried?
Baked donuts will not taste exactly the same as a fried version, but don’t worry a bit. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Instead of a crisp outer layer and airy center, baked pumpkin spice donuts have a denser, cake-like texture.
You get soft fluffy interiors, bursting with earthy pumpkin flavor and warm spices, all topped off with sweet vanilla frosting. And as a bonus, you get a treat that is easier to clean up and lower in calories too!
What to Do With Leftover Pumpkin Spice Donuts
These pumpkin spice donuts are so irresistible, that I seriously doubt you will have any leftovers. However, if you do, you can store any leftover donuts in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to a month.
I recommend using leftover donuts similar to biscotti. Once the outside gets a bit crusty, they are wonderful for dunking in coffee, cocoa, or milk.
You can also warm up your pumpkin spice donuts and top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or I’ve even cut them into chunks and served them with my pumpkin dip!
And as for that leftover pumpkin puree, here are some ways to use it up!
Other Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love:
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Pie Without Evaporated Milk
- Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
- 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread with Cake Mix
Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk
- ⅓ cup canned pumpkin puree
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
For the Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° and lightly grease two 6-well donut pans with nonstick baking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, pumpkin puree, melted butter, egg, and vanilla.
- Next, add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix just until no large lumps of flour remain—you don't want to overmix!
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a ziploc bag with the end cut off) and pipe the batter into the prepared pans. Fill each section about ½ full– these donuts will rise quite a bit!
- Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean.
- Transfer the donuts to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk. If you would like a thinner frosting, add another tablespoon of milk. This frosting can be thick and spreadable or thin like a glaze—it’s completely up to you! To make it thicker, add more powdered sugar. To make it thinner, add more milk.
- Frost the donuts as desired and sprinkle with a pinch of pumpkin pie spice. Allow the frosting to set (about 10 minutes) and enjoy.
- Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
