Baked Pumpkin Cake Donuts are a delightful treat that combines the cozy warmth of pumpkin with soft, cakey texture. These donuts are lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, giving them that perfect hint of fall flavor. Unlike fried donuts, they’re baked, so they feel a little lighter but just as satisfying.
I love making these donuts when the weather starts to cool down. They fill the kitchen with a wonderful aroma that instantly makes me feel at home. One of my favorite things is how easy they are to whip up — plus, the recipe uses simple ingredients that most people have on hand, which means I can make a batch pretty much anytime I get a pumpkin craving.
These pumpkin cake donuts are great on their own or with a simple glaze or dusting of powdered sugar. I often enjoy them fresh out of the oven with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They make a perfect breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack, especially when shared with family or friends gathered around the table.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin puree is great for consistent texture and flavor. You can use fresh cooked pumpkin if you want, but make sure it’s well mashed and drained of excess water.
Vegetable Oil: I like using vegetable or canola oil for moistness. Coconut oil is a tasty alternative if you want a slight coconut flavor. For a lighter option, try applesauce, but it may change the texture slightly.
Spices: The cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves give that warm pumpkin spice flavor. You can adjust spice amounts to your taste or use a pumpkin pie spice blend instead.
Flour: All-purpose flour works best here. For a gluten-free version, try a mix of gluten-free flours but reduce baking powder slightly and test baking time.
How Can I Make Sure My Baked Donuts Are Moist and Light?
The secret to tender, cakey baked donuts lies in a few simple steps:
- Whisk wet ingredients well until smooth to keep the batter light.
- Gently fold in your dry mix. Overmixing develops gluten and can make donuts dense, so stop when just combined.
- Fill donut molds about 3/4 full to avoid overflow but still get a nice rise.
- Bake at 350°F for about 15-18 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick near the end.
- Cool slightly before removing from pan to avoid breaking the donuts.
With these tips, your donuts will come out soft and perfectly fluffy every time!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Donut pan – This is a must for shaping your donuts and getting that classic donut hole.
- Mixing bowls – You’ll mix wet and dry ingredients separately, so two bowls make it easier.
- Whisk – Helps blend wet ingredients smoothly without lumps.
- Sifter or fine mesh strainer – Great for sifting dry ingredients and spices to avoid clumps.
- Spoon or piping bag – For filling the donut pan evenly without mess.
- Cooling rack – Lets donuts cool evenly and keeps the bottom from getting soggy.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Mix in chocolate chips for a sweet contrast to the pumpkin and spice.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Swap pumpkin for sweet potato puree for a slightly sweeter and earthier taste.
- Top with a simple cream cheese glaze instead of cinnamon sugar for a richer finish.
How to Make Baked Pumpkin Cake Donuts?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Donuts:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For The Topping (optional):
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How Much Time Will You Need?
This baked pumpkin cake donuts recipe takes about 10-15 minutes to prepare and 15-18 minutes to bake. Allow about 5 minutes for cooling before adding topping and serving. Overall, you’ll spend around 30-40 minutes from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan to keep your donuts from sticking.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This ensures your spices are evenly spread throughout the batter.
4. Make The Batter:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined — be careful not to overmix, or your donuts may be dense.
5. Fill Donut Pan:
Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan molds, filling each about three-quarters full to give them space to rise.
6. Bake:
Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes. You can check if they’re done by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean.
7. Cool and Top:
Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack. For the optional topping, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. While the donuts are still warm, lightly brush them with melted butter or oil and then dip or sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over them.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Your warm, soft, and lightly spiced pumpkin cake donuts are ready to enjoy. Serve them fresh or at room temperature with your favorite hot drink!
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned Pumpkin Puree?
Yes! Just make sure to cook and mash the fresh pumpkin well, then drain any excess moisture before using it in the recipe. This helps keep the donut batter from becoming too wet.
Can I Make These Donuts Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You may want to reduce the baking powder slightly and watch the baking time, as gluten-free flours can behave differently.
How Should I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store baked pumpkin cake donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days—just warm them briefly before serving.
Can I Freeze These Donuts?
Yes, these donuts freeze well! Wrap them individually or place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for a quick treat.