The brisk autumnal breeze carries the scent of falling leaves, hot cocoa, and pumpkin spice! The fall season is synonymous with its delectable flavors, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of freshly baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts coated in cinnamon sugar? Here’s how you can make these delicious pumpkin spice donuts in your own home.
Why Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts?
Frying donuts can be such a hassle, and they often end up too greasy, not to mention a mess. Baking them, on the other hand, ensures a soft, fluffy texture while still keeping the moisture—thanks to our hero ingredient, pumpkin puree. These baked donuts are a seamless blend of sweetness and the spicy warmth of autumn, making them a must-try for the season.
A quick list of supplies you’ll need
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin puree: ½ cup
- Brown sugar: ½ cup
- Vegetable oil: ¼ cup
- Milk: ¼ cup
- All-purpose flour: 1 cup
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Pumpkin pie spice: 1 tsp
- Cinnamon: ½ tsp (plus an additional tsp for the coating)
- Nutmeg: ¼ tsp
- Salt: ¼ tsp
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- Unsalted butter (melted): 2 tbsp
- Granulated sugar: ⅓ cup
Let’s Get Baking!
- Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350ºF. As it warms, spray your donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Wet Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and milk until well combined.
- Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, blend together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine: Slowly incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, gently folding with a spatula until they just come together.
- Fill the Pan: Pour your batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Use this to neatly fill each donut cavity in your pan. Aim to evenly distribute the batter among the six slots.
- Bake: Slide your donuts into the oven and bake for about 15-16 minutes. The donuts are ready when a toothpick inserted into them comes out clean. Once baked, allow them to cool in the pan for around 10 minutes.
- Remove: Invert your donut pan, gently releasing the donuts onto a cooling rack. Give them another 10 minutes to cool off.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Melt your butter in the microwave. Using a pastry brush, lightly glaze each donut. If you don’t have a brush, a quick dip in the melted butter works too. Finally, roll each buttery donut in your bowl of cinnamon sugar, ensuring both sides are well coated.
These Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts are perfect for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or dessert. They encapsulate the very essence of fall in every bite. Serve with a warm beverage of your choice and enjoy the flavors of the season! Happy baking!
