Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Fluffy Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe: Autumn Bliss

Warm autumn mornings call for delightful pumpkin cinnamon sugar donuts that dance with seasonal comfort.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these treats irresistible.

Delicate spices weave through each bite, creating a magical breakfast experience.

Home kitchens will fill with incredible aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Simple ingredients blend into a nostalgic masterpiece that connects memories and flavor.

Nobody can resist these golden-brown delights dusted with sweet sugar.

Come bake something that makes your kitchen feel like a cozy autumn embrace.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: Cozy Morning Delight

  • Bake with Ease: Perfect for baking beginners, this recipe requires minimal technical skills and basic kitchen tools, making it accessible to everyone from novice to experienced home bakers.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Easily swap ingredients like dairy milk with almond milk or butter with coconut oil, allowing flexibility for dietary preferences and pantry availability.
  • Capture Seasonal Warmth: Packed with pumpkin and cinnamon, these donuts bring cozy autumn vibes to your kitchen, creating a delightful sensory experience that feels like a warm hug.
  • Quick Kitchen Delight: Ready in just a few simple steps, these donuts offer a speedy solution for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Pantry List for Pumpkin Sugar Donuts

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The primary base that provides structure and texture to the donuts.
  • Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the donuts rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the donuts.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and classic fall flavor to the recipe.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Pumpkin Pie Puree: Adds moisture, rich pumpkin flavor, and a beautiful orange color to the donuts.
  • Milk, Almond Milk: Provides liquid and helps bind the ingredients together for a smooth batter.
  • Melted Butter, Coconut Oil: Adds richness, moisture, and helps create a tender donut texture.
Coating Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Creates a sweet and spicy outer layer that adds crunch and extra flavor to the donuts.
  • Melted Butter: Helps the cinnamon sugar coating stick to the surface of the donuts.

Make Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts at Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and generously spray your donut pan with cooking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create Dry Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients until they’re perfectly blended and lump-free.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Melted butter
  • Milk

Ensure these ingredients are smoothly combined and look silky.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry

Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.

Stir just until everything is incorporated – don’t overmix!

This keeps your donuts super tender.

Step 5: Fill The Pan

Carefully spoon or pipe the batter into your greased donut pan.

Fill each cavity about 3/4 full to allow room for rising.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-11 minutes.

Your kitchen will smell like autumn heaven!

Step 7: Cool Down

Let donuts rest in the pan for a few minutes, then gently transfer to a wire rack.

Step 8: Dress Up Your Donuts

Dip each donut in melted butter, then roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture until completely coated.

Enjoy your delectable treat!

Donut-Making Wisdom: Cinnamon Sugar Edition

  • Stir batter gently to keep donuts tender and light, stopping when ingredients are just combined to avoid tough texture.
  • Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for best flavor and consistent moisture in your donuts.
  • Dip warm donuts in melted butter quickly, then roll immediately in cinnamon-sugar mixture for even, delicious coverage.
  • Insert a toothpick into donut center – it should come out clean with just a few crumbs to ensure perfect baking.
  • Replace regular milk with almond or oat milk for a plant-based version without compromising taste or texture.

Pumpkin Donut Flavors You’ll Want to Try

  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same soft texture and warm spice profile.
  • Vegan Pumpkin Donuts: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and swap butter for coconut oil to create a completely dairy-free and egg-free option.
  • Low-Sugar Pumpkin Donuts: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of regular sugar, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the rich pumpkin flavor and cinnamon coating.
  • Protein-Packed Pumpkin Donuts: Add vanilla protein powder to the dry ingredients and use Greek yogurt as a partial milk replacement to boost protein content and create a more nutritious breakfast treat.

Serve Pumpkin Sugar Donuts Fresh and Warm

  • Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm, spiced donuts with a steaming mug of coffee or chai tea for a delightful morning treat.
  • Sweet Morning Feast: Serve alongside crispy bacon or scrambled eggs to create a balanced breakfast plate that combines sweet and savory flavors.
  • Dessert Transformation: Crumble donuts over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for an indulgent dessert that elevates the classic pumpkin spice experience.
  • Afternoon Snack Delight: Pack these donuts in lunchboxes or enjoy with an afternoon cup of hot chocolate for a comforting midday pick-me-up.

Keeping Pumpkin Cinnamon Donuts Fresh Longer

  • Seal donuts in an airtight container and keep them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring they remain moist and delicious.
  • Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to 2 months without losing their soft texture.
  • Let donuts sit at room temperature for up to 2 days in a covered container, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
  • Warm refrigerated or frozen donuts in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-4 minutes to restore their original warmth and softness.

FAQs

  • Are these donuts baked or fried?

These donuts are baked in a donut pan, making them a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried donuts. They’re easy to make and require less oil.

  • Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of pumpkin puree?

While canned pumpkin puree works best for consistent texture and moisture, you can use homemade pumpkin puree. Just ensure it’s well-strained and not too watery to maintain the donut’s structure.

  • Is this recipe dairy-free friendly?

Yes, the recipe offers dairy-free alternatives like using coconut oil instead of butter and almond milk in place of regular milk. These substitutions keep the donuts moist and delicious.

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Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe

Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts Recipe


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4.6 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donuts blend autumn’s warmth with sweet, spiced comfort. Homemade goodness delivers pure seasonal delight you’ll crave with every delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin pie puree
  • 1/2 cup milk (or almond milk for vegan)

Leavening and Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Coating and Topping:

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons melted butter (or coconut oil for vegan)
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter (or coconut oil for vegan)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease the donut pan to prevent sticking.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients until uniformly combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix pumpkin puree, melted butter, and milk until smooth and well-integrated.
  4. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring minimally to avoid overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
  5. Carefully transfer batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity approximately three-quarters full.
  6. Bake for 10-11 minutes, ensuring donuts are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 3-5 minutes, then carefully remove and place on a wire rack.
  8. Melt butter in a small dish and prepare a separate bowl with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  9. Dip each cooled donut first in melted butter, then roll completely in cinnamon-sugar blend to create an even, sweet coating.
  10. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Precision matters when measuring pumpkin puree to ensure the perfect moisture and texture in your donuts.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter, as this can lead to tough, dense donuts instead of light and fluffy treats.
  • Swap regular milk with alternative milk options like almond or oat milk to make the recipe dairy-free and suitable for different dietary needs.
  • Use a piping bag or ziplock bag with the corner cut off for a mess-free and professional way of filling the donut pan with batter.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 11 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 193 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 142 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 22 mg
Nathaniel Brooks

Nathaniel Brooks

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling

Education

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques. ​


Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.

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