Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon – A Cozy Fall Treat
When fall arrives, nothing captures the season quite like pumpkin and cinnamon. These Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon are the perfect balance of soft, fluffy texture and warm autumn spice. Baked instead of fried, they’re a lighter yet equally delicious way to enjoy donuts at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These donuts aren’t just about flavor, they’re about the cozy feeling of autumn mornings. With pumpkin purée, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg, they bring the essence of fall right into your kitchen. Plus, they’re easy to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for holiday gatherings or casual coffee breaks.
Time Taken
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is how simple and accessible the ingredients are. With pantry staples like flour, sugar, and warm spices, plus pumpkin purée for that autumn flavor, you can create bakery-worthy donuts at home. Each ingredient plays a role in delivering soft, flavorful bites.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup pumpkin purée
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp melted butter
Grocery List
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder & baking soda
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
- Salt
- Pumpkin purée
- Brown sugar & granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil or butter
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
How to Make Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon
Making these donuts is straightforward and fun. You’ll start by mixing the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine them to create a smooth batter. After a quick bake in the oven, the donuts are brushed with butter and rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mix for that classic fall finish.
- Prepare the Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.
- In one bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, sugars, eggs, oil, vanilla, and milk.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Bake the Donuts
- Spoon batter into a piping bag and pipe into the donut pan.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
- Let donuts cool slightly, then brush with melted butter.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
Tips to Follow
A few baking tips can make your donuts turn out bakery-perfect every time. From not overmixing the batter to using pure pumpkin purée, small details go a long way. These tricks will help you achieve light, fluffy donuts with maximum flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter, this keeps the donuts soft and fluffy.
- Use pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling.
- For extra spice, add a pinch of ginger or allspice.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake these in a muffin tin.
How to Serve
These donuts are best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven, when the cinnamon sugar is perfectly crisp. Pair them with coffee, tea, or hot cider for the ultimate fall treat. They’re also a beautiful addition to brunch tables or holiday dessert spreads.
How to Store
Freshly baked donuts are always best, but knowing how to store them lets you enjoy them for days. With proper storage, they stay soft and delicious. You can keep them at room temperature, refrigerate, or even freeze them for later enjoyment.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze (without cinnamon sugar coating) for up to 2 months; thaw and coat before serving.
Chef’s Special Tips
Want to take these donuts up a notch? A drizzle of cream cheese glaze, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, or a handful of chocolate chips in the batter can transform them into something extra special. These simple variations let you customize the recipe to your taste.
- Drizzle with cream cheese glaze for a bakery-style finish.
- Add mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans to the batter for extra texture.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fun fall dessert twist.
Conclusion
These Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon are the ultimate fall treat; fluffy, spiced, and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. They’re easy to bake, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to bring warmth to your table this season. Try them this weekend and enjoy the taste of autumn in every bite!