Pumpkin Donut Recipe

If you’re craving a delightful treat that captures the cozy essence of fall, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this Pumpkin Donut recipe. Combining the rich, moist texture of pumpkin with the ease of using a yellow cake mix, these donuts bring warmth and comfort with every bite. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this simple recipe allows you to create a batch of irresistibly soft, tender, and lightly spiced donuts that are perfect for breakfast, snack time, or a sweet indulgence with your afternoon coffee.

Pumpkin Donut Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward yet essential, each bringing a unique element to the Pumpkin Donut’s flavor and texture. From the moist pumpkin puree to the fluffy cake mix, everything works together effortlessly.

  • Yellow cake mix (15.25 oz.): Provides the perfect base with a light and tender crumb that pairs wonderfully with pumpkin.
  • Pumpkin puree (15 oz. can): Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and that unmistakable autumnal flavor.

How to Make Pumpkin Donut

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for a quick, even bake. Lightly grease your donut pan to prevent sticking and get ready to fill the cavities with our batter.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine the entire yellow cake mix with the can of pumpkin puree. Stir until well blended into a thick, luscious batter. If you like, you can add warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, but the pumpkin and cake mix alone offer delicious flavor without extra fuss.

Step 3: Fill the Donut Pan

For a neat and easy filling process, scoop your thick batter into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling them halfway. This helps the donuts bake evenly and keeps their delightful shape intact.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Place the filled donut pan in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. To test for doneness, gently press the top of a donut; it should spring back to its original shape, signaling it’s perfectly cooked and ready to cool.

Step 5: Cool and Decorate

Allow the donuts to cool completely in the pan or on a wire rack before adding any toppings. This step is key to avoiding soggy donuts and letting your caramel, frosting, or powdered sugar shine on top.

Step 6: Enjoy and Store

Once cooled, enjoy your Pumpkin Donut immediately with your favorite glaze or dusting. If storing, keep the plain donuts in an airtight container for up to one day and add any toppings right before serving.

How to Serve Pumpkin Donut

Pumpkin Donut Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

These donuts can be dressed up beautifully with a variety of garnishes. My favorites include a smooth caramel drizzle to amplify the pumpkin’s warm flavors, a simple dusting of powdered sugar for elegance, or a rich cream cheese frosting to add luscious tanginess. Sprinkles add a fun touch if serving to kids or during festive occasions.

Side Dishes

Serve your Pumpkin Donut alongside a steaming cup of spiced latte or hot cocoa for that perfect cozy vibe. Fresh fruit or a handful of toasted nuts can add a lovely crunch to complement the soft texture of the donut.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Pumpkin Donut into a fall-inspired dessert platter by stacking a few donuts and adding mini decorative pumpkins or cinnamon sticks around them. You can also turn them into donut sandwiches by layering cream cheese or mascarpone between two halves, making for a stunning presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Pumpkin Donuts, place them in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within one day to maintain their moist texture and fresh flavor. Avoid adding any sugary toppings until you’re ready to serve.

Freezing

You can freeze plain Pumpkin Donuts by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen donuts stay good for up to two months and are an excellent option to prepare ahead.

Reheating

To reheat, simply allow frozen donuts to thaw at room temperature, then warm them in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a toaster oven until just heated through. Adding toppings after reheating ensures they stay fresh and visually appealing.

FAQs

Can I add spices to the Pumpkin Donut batter?

Absolutely! While the basic recipe is delicious on its own, adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice can elevate the flavor and add a lovely warmth to your donuts.

What if I don’t have a donut pan?

If you don’t have a donut pan, you can try baking the batter in a muffin tin for pumpkin muffins or shape them by hand and bake on a cookie sheet, though the texture and appearance will vary slightly.

Are these donuts suitable for kids?

Yes! These Pumpkin Donuts are soft, mildly sweet, and perfect for kids. You can customize the toppings with fun sprinkles or a gentle glaze to make them extra kid-friendly.

How do I make my donuts extra moist?

The pumpkin puree naturally adds moisture, but be careful not to overbake. Checking the donuts around 8 minutes and removing them as soon as they spring back keeps them wonderfully soft.

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?

Certainly! Homemade pumpkin puree works perfectly in this recipe and can add a fresh, natural flavor. Just be sure it’s well pureed and measured to 15 ounces for consistency.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a Pumpkin Donut that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. This easy, fuss-free recipe is a wonderful way to bring the flavors of pumpkin into your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. I hope you give these delightful Pumpkin Donuts a try and enjoy every tender, flavorful bite as much as I do!

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Pumpkin Donut Recipe

These Pumpkin Donuts are an easy and delicious treat made from simple ingredients: a yellow cake mix and pumpkin puree. Baked until soft and springy, they offer a moist texture with a subtle pumpkin flavor. Perfect for fall or any time you crave a quick, homemade donut without frying, they can be enjoyed plain or topped with caramel drizzle, frosting, sprinkles, or powdered sugar.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 18-20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 donuts 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 package yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree

Optional Toppings

  • Caramel drizzle
  • Frosting
  • Sprinkles
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the donuts at the correct temperature for a soft, moist texture.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the dry yellow cake mix and the entire 15 oz can of pumpkin puree. Stir together until just combined. You may add cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices if desired, but this is optional.
  3. Fill Donut Pan: Lightly grease a donut pan. Spoon the thick batter into a piping bag or a zip-top plastic bag with the corner cut off for easy filling. Pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling about half full to allow room for rising.
  4. Bake Donuts: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. To check for doneness, gently press your finger into the top of a donut; if it springs back, they are ready.
  5. Cool Donuts: Remove the pan and allow the donuts to cool completely in the pan before removing. This prevents breakage and ensures the texture is perfect for topping.
  6. Add Toppings and Serve: Once cooled, decorate with caramel drizzle, frosting, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar as desired. Serve immediately for best taste.
  7. Storage: Store any plain donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Wait to add toppings until ready to serve to keep them fresh.

Notes

  • The batter is quite thick; using a piping bag helps fill the donut pan neatly.
  • Don’t overfill the donut cavities; fill only halfway to avoid overflow while baking.
  • Check donuts promptly at 8 minutes to prevent overbaking and drying out.
  • Optional spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice can deepen the flavor.
  • For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free cake mix.
  • These donuts are baked, not fried, making them a lighter treat.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 donut
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: pumpkin donuts, baked donuts, easy pumpkin recipe, fall dessert, quick donuts

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