These easy baked pumpkin donuts are fluffy, spiced perfectly, and topped with a sweet maple glaze that will make your taste buds dance! 🍩💃
Making these donuts is a breeze! I love enjoying them warm with a cup of coffee. Trust me, they disappear fast, so you might want to make an extra batch—just in case! ☕️😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Canned Pumpkin Puree: This gives your donuts that lovely pumpkin flavor and moist texture. If you have fresh pumpkin, you can roast and puree it as a substitute, but it’s a bit more work!
Spices: The combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger creates that warm, cozy flavor. You can use pumpkin pie spice as a shortcut if it’s on hand—just replace all the spices with 2 teaspoons of it.
Flour: All-purpose flour works best for structure. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can also work in this recipe!
Vegetable Oil: I love using vegetable oil for its mild flavor, but melted coconut oil adds a lovely aroma and richness. You can also use melted butter for extra flavor if that’s what you prefer.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup gives that unique flavor in the glaze. If needed, you can use honey or agave syrup for a different sweetness.
How Do I Get the Perfect Donut Texture?
Getting a light and fluffy texture in your baked donuts can be tricky, but here’s how to do it:
- Mix wet and dry ingredients separately before combining to prevent overmixing, which can make donuts dense.
- Be gentle when mixing. Stir just until the dry ingredients are incorporated to keep them airy.
- Fill donut cavities only 2/3 full to allow room for rising without overflowing.
Follow these tips and you’ll have wonderfully baked pumpkin donuts every time! Plus, letting them cool a little before glazing helps the glaze set nicely without sliding off. Enjoy baking! 🎃✨
Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts With Sweet Maple Glaze
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the donuts:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
For the maple glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1-2 teaspoons milk (as needed for consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time, plus 12-15 minutes of baking. Don’t forget to let the donuts cool for about 5 minutes before glazing, and about 20 minutes to set after glazing. Overall, you should plan for about an hour to make a delicious batch of donuts!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important to get your donuts baking evenly. While the oven heats up, lightly grease a donut pan with some nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking later on.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until everything is really smooth and well combined. This is where the delicious pumpkin flavor comes to life!
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the spices. These spices add that warm, autumn flavor we love in pumpkin donuts.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined—be careful not to overmix it! Too much stirring can make the donuts dense and less fluffy.
5. Fill the Donut Pan:
Now it’s time to fill the donut pan! You can spoon the batter in, but using a piping bag makes it a tidy job. Fill each donut cavity about 2/3 full; this allows room for the donuts to rise without overflowing.
6. Bake:
Pop the donut pan into your preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. The donuts are ready when you insert a toothpick into the center of one, and it comes out clean. They’ll have a lovely golden color!
7. Cool the Donuts:
Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before you glaze them. This step is important to help the glaze stick better!
8. Make the Maple Glaze:
To whip up the maple glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth. If it’s too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired glaze consistency; you want it thick but still pourable!
9. Glaze the Donuts:
Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them back on the wire rack to set. This is where the magic happens, and they become beautifully shiny and tasty!
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Let the glaze set for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Enjoy your warm, soft baked pumpkin donuts with sweet maple glaze! They make the perfect treat for breakfast or a cozy snack!
FAQ for Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts With Sweet Maple Glaze
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?
Absolutely! If you want to use fresh pumpkin, just roast it until soft, then puree it until smooth. You’ll need about 1 cup of puree, just like with the canned variety. It adds a lovely fresh flavor!
How Should I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them to keep them fresh longer, but they’re best enjoyed at room temperature!
Can I Freeze These Donuts?
Yes, you can freeze the baked donuts! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze briefly, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze them just before serving!
Can I Make These Donuts Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it includes xanthan gum, or add a bit to help with the texture. Enjoy your gluten-free treat!
