Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate cozy treat that captures the very essence of fall, look no further than these delightful Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. Bursting with warm spices and rich pumpkin flavor, these donuts strike the perfect balance between soft, moist texture and that irresistible cinnamon sugar crunch. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh from the oven or as a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, they have a way of turning any ordinary moment into something wonderfully special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe is thoughtfully chosen to create the perfect harmony of flavor, texture, and color. From the creamy pumpkin puree to the fragrant spices, each item brings something essential to these Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed for tender donuts.
- Pumpkin puree: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and that lovely autumn color.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a tender crumb.
- Brown sugar: Brings a deeper caramel flavor that enhances the pumpkin.
- Eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness.
- Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and moist.
- Baking powder: Gives the donuts a light, fluffy rise.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential spice that complements pumpkin perfectly.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds warmth and complexity to the spice blend.
- Salt: Balances and enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Melted butter: Infuses richness and helps keep the donuts tender.
- Cinnamon sugar coating: A final flavorful touch made from granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
How to Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Step 1: Prepare your donut pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your donut pan generously with cooking spray or butter. This step ensures your donuts come out perfectly shaped and easy to remove.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined. This spice and leavening blend is the backbone of your donut’s lovely flavor and texture.
Step 3: Combine wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, and melted butter. Mixing these thoroughly creates a rich, smooth base for your donuts.
Step 4: Bring dry and wet mixtures together
Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep your donuts tender and fluffy. The batter should be thick but smooth.
Step 5: Fill the donut pan
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top plastic bag with one corner snipped off. This technique makes filling the cavities neat and easy—just fill each about two-thirds full for perfect rising.
Step 6: Bake to perfection
Bake your donuts for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden hue and a toothpick comes out clean. Your kitchen will start to smell heavenly as the spices and pumpkin bake into the perfect treat.
Step 7: Prepare the cinnamon sugar coating
While the donuts bake, mix the remaining granulated sugar with cinnamon in a small bowl. This simple cinnamon sugar mixture provides the classic sweet-spicy finish that makes these donuts unforgettable.
Step 8: Coat the donuts
Allow your donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. While still slightly warm, coat each donut generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture, making sure every bite delivers that perfect crunch and sweetness.
Step 9: Enjoy!
Serve your Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts warm or at room temperature alongside your favorite beverage. This is the moment to savor all your baking efforts with joy.
How to Serve Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple glaze adds extra charm and sweetness to these donuts. Toasted pecans or chopped walnuts sprinkled on top also deliver a delightful crunch and nutty flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
These donuts pair wonderfully with warm drinks like spiced chai, rich coffee, or a creamy latte. For a more substantial treat, try serving them alongside fresh fruit or creamy yogurt to balance out the spices.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, serve your donuts on a beautiful autumn-themed platter with small pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, and colorful leaves as decoration. You can even stack them in a donut tower to impress guests at brunch or celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness. If you want to hold onto their softness, avoid refrigerating as it can dry them out.
Freezing
You can freeze fully cooled donuts by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. This method preserves the deliciousness for up to one month, perfect for making ahead for busy mornings or unexpected guests.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or stored donuts in a warm oven at 325°F for a few minutes to bring back that fresh-baked softness. You can also microwave them briefly, but be careful not to overdo it or they might become chewy.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh pumpkin puree works just as well. Just roast and mash your pumpkin first, then measure out the required amount for the recipe. It adds a wonderful freshness to your donuts.
Are these donuts vegan-friendly?
This particular recipe uses eggs and butter, so it is not vegan. However, you can experiment with egg substitutes and vegan butter to make a delicious plant-based version.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to help with texture. The taste will remain just as comforting and delicious.
How long do these donuts last?
For the best flavor and texture, enjoy your Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts within two days when stored properly. They tend to lose moisture and softness beyond that time frame.
Is there an alternative to using a donut pan?
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin and fill each cup with batter, but the shape will be more like muffins. To recreate a donut hole feel, you could use a biscuit cutter to make holes in baked muffins once cooled.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give these Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts a try because they have such a comforting, cozy vibe that makes every bite feel like a hug in food form. Whether you’re sharing with friends or indulging solo, these are the kind of treats that bring joy and warmth any time of day. Happy baking!
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Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the warm, cozy flavors of these Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, baked to perfection with a tender pumpkin-spiced batter and finished with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. Perfect for autumn breakfasts or as a comforting treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your donut pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until fully blended.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth and uniform.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender donut texture; the batter should be thick.
- Fill Donut Pan: Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off, then pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan cavities about two-thirds full.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the donuts turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating: While the donuts bake, combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a small bowl to create the coating.
- Cool and Coat Donuts: Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Once slightly cooled but still warm, generously coat each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring an even coverage.
- Serve: Enjoy the donuts warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh or canned pumpkin puree based on availability; just ensure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense donuts.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, use a muffin tin but reduce the baking time slightly and adjust servings accordingly.
- The donuts are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute milk and butter with non-dairy alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: pumpkin donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, baked donuts, fall recipes, pumpkin spice donuts, easy donut recipe
