Pumpkin Spice Donuts | Cozy Homemade Fall Treat

🎉 Introduction
Nothing says fall quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice donuts. Soft, fluffy, and packed with cozy pumpkin flavor, these donuts are a must-bake treat for autumn mornings, Halloween parties, or Thanksgiving dessert tables. Each bite is filled with warm spices, rich pumpkin puree, and a buttery finish. Rolled in cinnamon sugar, they have the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

These baked donuts are easy to make — no frying required! With simple pantry ingredients, you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes, making them a family favorite for busy fall days.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk and spatula
• Donut pan (for baking)
• Pastry brush (optional, for butter coating)

🛒 Ingredients

• ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ⅓ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup cinnamon sugar (for coating)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan lightly with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

Step 3: In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, melted butter, and milk until smooth.

Step 4: Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.

Step 6: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 7: Remove from the oven and let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 8: While still warm, brush each donut lightly with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.

Step 9: Serve warm with coffee, cider, or hot cocoa!

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 10–12 donuts
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Store up to 5 days for longer freshness.
• Freezer: Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 2 months. Thaw and coat with cinnamon sugar before serving.
• Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave for 10 seconds.

🥄 Variations

• Glazed donuts: Skip the cinnamon sugar and dip cooled donuts in a vanilla glaze.
• Chocolate pumpkin donuts: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the batter.
• Maple twist: Drizzle donuts with maple glaze instead of rolling in sugar.
• Mini donuts: Bake in a mini donut pan for bite-sized versions.
• Stuffed donuts: Pipe cream cheese frosting inside for extra indulgence.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?
   – No, pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices. Use plain puree.
2. Do I need a donut pan?
   – It helps, but you can bake in a muffin pan instead.
3. Can I fry these donuts?
   – This recipe is designed for baking, not frying.
4. What milk works best?
   – Any milk works — whole, skim, or even dairy-free alternatives.
5. Do these donuts rise a lot?
   – Yes, so only fill each cavity ¾ full.
6. Can I double the recipe?
   – Absolutely, just bake in batches.
7. Can I reduce the butter?
   – Yes, replace half with applesauce for a lighter version.
8. Can I make them vegan?
   – Yes, use plant-based butter and dairy-free milk.
9. What spices are in pumpkin pie spice?
   – Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.
10. Do they taste better warm or cold?
    – Warm is best, especially with the cinnamon sugar coating.

🏁 Conclusion
These Pumpkin Spice Donuts are the ultimate fall treat — soft, fluffy, and coated in cozy cinnamon sugar. They’re quick, easy, and guaranteed to bring seasonal cheer to your home. Perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving desserts, or just a sweet breakfast with coffee, these donuts are a must-make for pumpkin lovers.

Adam

Pumpkin Spice Donuts | Cozy Homemade Fall Treat

Nothing says fall quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice donuts. Soft, fluffy, and packed with cozy pumpkin flavor, these donuts are a must-bake treat for autumn mornings, Halloween parties, or Thanksgiving dessert tables. Each bite is filled with warm spices, rich pumpkin puree, and a buttery finish. Rolled in cinnamon sugar, they have the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. These baked donuts are easy to make — no frying required! With simple pantry ingredients, you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes, making them a family favorite for busy fall days.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 12 donuts

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• ½ cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ cup brown sugar packed
• ½ cup butter melted
• ⅓ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup cinnamon sugar for coating

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

• 🍳

  Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

  View ↗
• ⚡

  Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

  View ↗
• 🔥

  CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

  View ↗

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk and spatula
• Donut pan (for baking)
• Pastry brush (optional, for butter coating)

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan lightly with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

Step 3: In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, melted butter, and milk until smooth.

Step 4: Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.

Step 6: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 7: Remove from the oven and let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 8: While still warm, brush each donut lightly with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.

Step 9: Serve warm with coffee, cider, or hot cocoa!

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator: Store up to 5 days for longer freshness.

Freezer: Freeze uncoated donuts for up to 2 months. Thaw and coat with cinnamon sugar before serving.

Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave for 10 seconds.

🥄 Variations

Glazed donuts: Skip the cinnamon sugar and dip cooled donuts in a vanilla glaze.

Chocolate pumpkin donuts: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the batter.

Maple twist: Drizzle donuts with maple glaze instead of rolling in sugar.

Mini donuts: Bake in a mini donut pan for bite-sized versions.

Stuffed donuts: Pipe cream cheese frosting inside for extra indulgence.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?
– No, pumpkin pie filling has added sugar and spices. Use plain puree.

Do I need a donut pan?
– It helps, but you can bake in a muffin pan instead.

Can I fry these donuts?
– This recipe is designed for baking, not frying.

What milk works best?
– Any milk works — whole, skim, or even dairy-free alternatives.

Do these donuts rise a lot?
– Yes, so only fill each cavity ¾ full.

Can I double the recipe?
– Absolutely, just bake in batches.

Can I reduce the butter?
– Yes, replace half with applesauce for a lighter version.

Can I make them vegan?
– Yes, use plant-based butter and dairy-free milk.

What spices are in pumpkin pie spice?
– Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.

Do they taste better warm or cold?
– Warm is best, especially with the cinnamon sugar coating.

🏁 Conclusion
These Pumpkin Spice Donuts are the ultimate fall treat — soft, fluffy, and coated in cozy cinnamon sugar. They’re quick, easy, and guaranteed to bring seasonal cheer to your home. Perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving desserts, or just a sweet breakfast with coffee, these donuts are a must-make for pumpkin lovers.