Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts

The warm, spicy aroma of Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts wafting through your kitchen signals fall has officially arrived. These moist, cake-like treats feature the perfect balance of pumpkin puree and autumn spices, all topped with a sweet glaze that creates an irresistible contrast against the soft donut. Unlike traditional fried versions, these Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts come together quickly in your oven, making them perfect for busy weekday mornings or weekend brunches. You’ll learn how to create bakery-worthy donuts with minimal effort and maximum flavor, even if you’ve never made homemade donuts before.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts are about to become your new fall baking obsession. First, they’re genuinely simple to make—the batter comes together in one bowl without any specialty equipment. The texture is what makes these truly special: tender and cake-like on the inside with a slightly firmer exterior that holds the perfect amount of glaze.

The pumpkin flavor is authentic and rich, not artificial like store-bought pumpkin baked goods. Each bite delivers warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger that complement the natural sweetness of pumpkin. Since they’re baked instead of fried, you’ll avoid the mess and extra calories while still enjoying that classic donut experience.

These donuts are also incredibly versatile. Serve them for breakfast with coffee, pack them in lunchboxes, or dress them up with fancy toppings for an impressive dessert. The recipe is also forgiving for beginners but still satisfying for experienced bakers looking for a quick pumpkin treat.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Donuts:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240g) pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk

For the Glaze:

• 1½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

The pure pumpkin puree is the star ingredient here—make sure you’re using 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added sugars and spices. For the spices, freshly ground nutmeg makes a noticeable difference in these baked pumpkin donuts, though pre-ground works well too.

Pro Tips

Get the Perfect Batter Consistency
The key to light, fluffy Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts is not overmixing the batter. Stop stirring as soon as the ingredients are combined—a few small lumps are actually good! Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your donuts tough rather than tender. For the best texture, use a rubber spatula to fold ingredients together rather than aggressively beating the mixture.

Master the Donut Pan
Even if you have a non-stick donut pan, give it a light coating of cooking spray before adding the batter. Fill each cavity only about ⅔ full—these donuts rise considerably, and overfilling will result in donuts that lose their characteristic hole. No donut pan? No problem! A mini muffin tin creates delicious donut “holes” with the same great flavor.

Perfect Your Glaze Technique
For the most professional-looking finish, allow your donuts to cool completely before glazing. Dip each donut top-down into the glaze, give it a slight twist, then lift straight up and let excess glaze drip off for a few seconds. Place glazed-side up on a wire rack over parchment paper to catch drips. For an extra-thick coating, allow the first layer of glaze to set for 5 minutes, then dip a second time.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two 6-cavity donut pans with cooking spray. If you don’t have donut pans, you can use a regular muffin tin lined with paper liners, filling each only halfway.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This even distribution of spices ensures every bite of your Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts will have that perfect fall flavor profile. Take a moment to break up any clumps in the brown sugar with your fingers before measuring.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color. The mixture might look slightly curdled, but don’t worry—this is normal!

Step 4: Create Your Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Remember, a few small streaks of flour are better than overmixing. The batter will be thick but pourable—similar to a cake batter rather than a traditional donut dough.

Step 5: Fill Donut Cavities
Transfer the batter to a large piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. This makes filling the donut cavities much easier and cleaner than using a spoon. Pipe the batter into each cavity, filling about ⅔ full. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts for 12-14 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Prepare the Glaze
While the donuts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drip slowly.

Step 8: Glaze Your Donuts
Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl. Place glazed-side up on a wire rack and let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before serving your perfect Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts.

Variations

Maple Pumpkin Donuts
For a delicious fall twist, replace the vanilla glaze with maple. Mix 1½ cups powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup and 1-2 tablespoons milk until smooth. This variation adds a rich, woodsy sweetness that complements the pumpkin spice flavors beautifully in these baked pumpkin donuts.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating
Skip the glaze entirely and opt for a cinnamon-sugar coating instead. While the donuts are still warm (but not hot), brush them lightly with melted butter and then roll in a mixture of ½ cup granulated sugar combined with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. This creates a delightful crackly exterior that contrasts wonderfully with the soft interior.

Gluten-Free Option
These Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts adapt well to dietary restrictions. Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend (look for one containing xanthan gum). You may need to add an extra tablespoon of milk to prevent the batter from becoming too thick, as gluten-free flours tend to absorb more moisture.

Storage and Serving

These Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days, but bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. You can also freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months—simply thaw at room temperature and add fresh glaze before serving.

For an elevated breakfast experience, serve these donuts slightly warmed alongside a pumpkin spice latte or chai tea. The warmth brings out the spice notes and makes the donuts taste freshly baked even days later.

Turn these donuts into an impressive dessert by serving them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. The contrast between the warm spiced donut and cold, creamy ice cream creates a restaurant-worthy finish to any fall meal.

For a fun brunch presentation, create a donut board with these pumpkin donuts alongside apple cider donuts and chocolate glazed varieties, with small bowls of different toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, and coconut flakes for guests to customize their treats.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pure pumpkin puree?
No, pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices which will alter the taste and texture of your donuts. Stick with 100% pure pumpkin puree for the best results in your baked pumpkin donuts.

I don’t have a donut pan. What else can I use?
A mini muffin tin works well for creating donut “holes” with this recipe. Alternatively, use a regular muffin tin filled halfway for pumpkin muffins with the same great flavor. Adjust baking time to 15-18 minutes for regular muffins.

Why did my donuts come out dense instead of light?
Overmixing the batter is the most common cause of dense donuts. Mix just until ingredients are combined. Also, check that your baking powder and soda are fresh—they lose potency over time.

Can I make these donuts ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! Prepare the donuts up to a day ahead, but wait to glaze them until a few hours before serving for the freshest appearance and best texture.

How can I tell when my donuts are perfectly baked?
Perfectly baked Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts will spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted will come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The edges will be slightly browned, but not dark.

Conclusion

These Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts are comfort food at its finest — soft, warmly spiced treats that capture the essence of fall in every bite. They’re the kind of breakfast that transforms ordinary mornings into special occasions, filling your home with the irresistible aroma of pumpkin spice. Whether you’re enjoying them with your morning coffee, serving them at a weekend brunch, or treating yourself to a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, these homemade donuts deliver bakery-quality results with minimal effort. Make a batch today and discover why these baked pumpkin treats earn rave reviews every autumn.

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