If you’ve been hunting for a fall treat that’s bursting with cozy flavors, then you absolutely have to try this Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe. These donuts are everything you want in a seasonal bite—moist, lightly spiced, and just sweet enough with a creamy glaze. I absolutely love how this turns out every time, and once you bake a batch, I’m pretty sure it’ll become your go-to pumpkin treat too. Trust me, they’re fan-freaking-tastic, and baking them in a mini donut pan keeps things quick and cute!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy-ish Indulgence: These donuts are made with pumpkin puree and a touch of honey, making them lighter than your typical fried donuts.
- Perfect Spice Balance: The blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves gives just the right cozy warmth without overpowering the pumpkin.
- Quick & Easy: Using a mini donut pan and a piping bag makes shaping the donuts super straightforward and fast.
- Deliciously Creamy Glaze: The cream cheese glaze adds richness and ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic in this Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe lies in a combination of two types of flour for a delicate crumb and a well-balanced spice blend that wakes up the pumpkin flavor. I find that having fresh pumpkin puree and good-quality spices really makes these donuts stand out.
- All purpose flour: Gives structure, but we balance it with cake flour for softness.
- Cake flour: This lighter flour keeps the donuts tender and less dense.
- Nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves: These warm spices create that classic pumpkin spice vibe.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Make sure your donuts rise nicely and stay fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor.
- Pumpkin puree: Not pumpkin pie filling—this is plain puree to keep the flavor fresh.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that also helps keep these donuts moist.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the texture soft without overpowering the flavor.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tang that complements the pumpkin beautifully.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and lend richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and spices.
- Cream cheese & butter: For the luscious glaze that finishes the donuts perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: Sweet base for the glaze, easily thinned with water.
Variations
I love that this Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe is super adaptable. You can easily swap spices or adjust sweetness to your taste. Over the years, I’ve played around with it a lot, and here are some ways you might like to customize it.
- Gluten-Free Option: Try replacing the flours with a gluten-free baking blend—just make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure.
- Maple Glaze: Swap out the cream cheese glaze for a simple maple syrup glaze for a seasonal twist my family raves about.
- Added Nuts or Chocolate Chips: Mixing in chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips into the batter gives a lovely texture and extra flavor.
- Vegan Version: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use a dairy-free cream cheese, and plant-based milk to make these plant-friendly.
How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, whisk together all your dry ingredients—both flours, spices, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar—in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution of all the raising agents and spices, which is key because you don’t want any bite to be too spicy or too bland.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together pumpkin puree, honey, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. I love this step because the batter turns a lovely orange-brown shade, and you can really smell the hint of pumpkin and vanilla coming together.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Add your dry ingredient mixture gradually to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Overmixing here can toughen the dough, so stop as soon as you don’t see any flour streaks. The batter will be a bit thick, which is perfect for piping into your donut pan.
Step 4: Pipe and Bake Your Donuts
Lightly grease a mini donut pan with baking spray—trust me, this helps the donuts release easily after baking. Spoon your batter into a pastry bag and snip off the bottom with a small opening. This piping method means you won’t have batter everywhere and guarantees nicely uniform donuts. Pipe each donut mold a little over halfway full, then bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they spring back lightly to the touch.
Step 5: Cool and Glaze
Once baked, let your donuts cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they’re cooling, whip up the cream cheese glaze by blending softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of water to thin it out as needed. I like to spoon or brush the glaze over the cooled donuts—dipping works too if you’re feeling fancy. This glaze is the perfect finishing touch, adding richness and sweetness without weighing down the spices.
Pro Tips for Making Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
- Use Both Flours: I discovered that mixing all purpose and cake flour creates the perfect balance between structure and tenderness in these donuts.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing just until combined helps keep your donuts light and moist; overmixing can make them dense.
- Piping is Your Friend: Using a pastry bag to fill your donut pan cuts down mess and ensures evenly shaped donuts every time.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: I used to rush this step and end up with a glaze that melted off—patience really pays off here!
How to Serve Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
I’m partial to a simple dusting of extra cinnamon or a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans on top of the cream cheese glaze—it adds a little crunch and extra warmth. Sometimes, just a light drizzle of maple syrup over the glazed donuts is all I need to feel festive and cozy.
Side Dishes
Pair these spiced pumpkin donuts with a hot cup of your favorite coffee or chai tea. They also make a fantastic breakfast alongside scrambled eggs or a lighter fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday brunches or fall gatherings, I like arranging these donuts on a wooden board lined with autumn leaves or twinkle lights around the platter. Another fun idea is to stack mini donuts into a tower and drizzle glaze and chopped nuts as a centerpiece—it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover donuts airtight in the fridge, separated by parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They usually stay fresh for about 3 days, but honestly, that almost never happens because they get eaten quickly!
Freezing
If I want to prep ahead, I freeze the donuts without glaze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They freeze great for up to a month. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw overnight in the fridge and add fresh glaze.
Reheating
To warm leftover donuts, I pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds or briefly in a toaster oven. This little trick brings back softness without drying them out. I usually add glaze after reheating for the freshest taste.
FAQs
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Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
It’s best to use plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling because the filling already contains added sugars and spices, which could throw off the flavor and sweetness balance of your donuts.
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What’s the best way to make these donuts dairy-free?
You can substitute buttermilk with a plant-based milk mixed with a splash of lemon juice, use dairy-free cream cheese for the glaze, and swap butter for a vegan margarine or coconut oil. These changes work well without compromising texture or flavor much.
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My donuts come out dense. What could I be doing wrong?
Dense donuts often result from overmixing the batter or not using the right leavening agents. Mix until just combined to keep them light, and double-check your baking powder and baking soda are fresh for good rise.
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Can I bake these in a regular muffin tin instead of a donut pan?
You can, but the texture and shape will differ—muffin tins give a more cake-like result. Reduce baking time slightly and adjust batter portions accordingly. I recommend donut pans for that classic donut shape and perfect crumb thickness.
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How do I make the glaze thinner or thicker?
If the glaze is too thick, add water a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. I adjust it slightly depending on how I want to drizzle or spread it over the donuts.
Final Thoughts
This Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe is one of those cozy kitchen moments I cherish every fall. I remember the first time I baked these, the smell filled the whole house and brought everyone running to the kitchen—it was like a warm hug on a plate. Baking these donuts is surprisingly simple, and the results feel special enough to share with family and friends or just indulge in on your own with a cup of coffee. I hope you give these a try and love them as much as my family and I do!
Print
Spiced Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 10 mini donuts, serves 10
- Category: Dessert, Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these spiced pumpkin donuts, a moist and flavorful treat perfect for fall or any time you crave a cozy dessert. Made with a blend of all-purpose and cake flours, warm spices including nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, and balanced with pumpkin puree and honey, these donuts are both sweet and subtly spiced. Finished with a smooth cream cheese glaze, they offer a perfect combination of soft texture and rich flavor without the guilt.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze Ingredients
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 ounce butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
- Water to thin out if needed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the donuts.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, ground allspice, ground cloves, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the pumpkin puree, honey, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well incorporated.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and blend gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Prepare Donut Pan: Lightly coat a mini donut pan with baking spray to prevent sticking. Transfer the batter into a pastry bag, snip a small opening at the tip, and pipe the batter into each donut mold until a little over half full.
- Bake Donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when gently touched.
- Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until the glaze is thick and creamy. Add water, a teaspoon at a time, if a thinner consistency is desired.
- Glaze Donuts: Dip the cooled donuts into the cream cheese glaze or drizzle the glaze over the donuts. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- These donuts are made with wholesome ingredients, making them one of the healthiest donuts you can enjoy guilt-free.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted with water to achieve your preferred thickness.
- Use a pastry bag for clean and easy donut filling in the pan.
- Mini donut pans can be substituted with regular donut pans; adjust baking time accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini donut
- Calories: 327 kcal
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 411 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
