Get ready for some tasty fall vibes with these easy baked pumpkin donuts! They are soft and fluffy, packed with pumpkin flavor and a hint of warm spices, plus they shine with a sweet maple glaze.
Making these donuts is a breeze! I love how my kitchen smells like a cozy cafe while they bake. Enjoy them warm with a cup of coffee, and you’ll feel like it’s autumn all year round! 🍂
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pumpkin Puree: This gives the donuts their delicious pumpkin flavor and moisture. If you don’t have canned pumpkin, you can use homemade puree, but make sure it’s well-drained. Sweet potato puree works well too!
Flour: All-purpose flour is standard for this recipe, but you can use whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste or a gluten-free blend if needed. Just be aware that the texture might change slightly.
Brown Sugar: It adds deep flavor and moisture. If you’re out of brown sugar, you can make your own by mixing granulated sugar with a bit of molasses (1 tablespoon per cup). Coconut sugar is another alternative.
Spices: The spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves) bring warmth to the donuts. Feel free to adjust the amounts or skip cloves if you don’t have them. Pumpkin pie spice is a great substitute for most of them!
How Can I Make Sure My Donuts Are Light and Fluffy?
To get light and fluffy donuts, mixing the batter properly is essential. Here are some tips:
- Make sure to whisk the wet ingredients until smooth before adding the dry ingredients. This helps create air pockets in the batter.
- When combining wet and dry elements, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense donuts.
- Keep an eye on the baking time. Overbaking can dry them out. Once the tops spring back when lightly touched, they’re done!
Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts With Sweet Maple Glaze
Ingredients:
For the Donuts:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
For the Sweet Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (or cream)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious recipe takes about 10 minutes of prep time, plus 15-18 minutes for baking. You’ll want to set aside a bit of time for cooling and glazing too, making it around 30-40 minutes total before you can enjoy these delightful donuts. They’re so worth it!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, lightly grease a donut pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the canned pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is nice and smooth. This mixture will be the base of your donuts!
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves). This step helps to evenly distribute the baking powder and spices throughout the flour.
4. Mix It All Together:
Now it’s time to combine the wet and dry ingredients! Gradually add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix. This will keep your donuts light and fluffy!
5. Fill the Donut Pan:
Next, spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan cavities, filling each one about 3/4 full. This gives them room to rise without spilling over.
6. Bake the Donuts:
Place the donut pan in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking!
7. Cool the Donuts:
Once baked, take the pan out of the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. After that, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the Maple Glaze:
While the donuts are cooling, prepare your delicious maple glaze! In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract. Keep mixing until it’s nice and smooth.
9. Add the Glaze:
After the donuts have cooled completely, dip the tops into the glaze or drizzle it over the donuts with a spoon for a lovely finish.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. Then, enjoy your moist, flavorful pumpkin donuts with sweet maple glaze! Perfect for sharing or savoring all by yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?
Absolutely! You can use fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned. Just make sure to cook and puree the pumpkin until smooth. Drain any excess moisture to avoid making the batter too wet.
How Should I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure they are wrapped well to prevent freezer burn!
Can I Make These Donuts Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Be sure to check that your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
What Can I Use Instead of Maple Syrup for the Glaze?
If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use honey or agave syrup for the glaze. Each will provide a slightly different flavor, but they all work well to sweeten the glaze!