These easy baked pumpkin donuts are fluffy, warm, and full of spiced flavor. Topped with a sweet maple glaze, they make the perfect tasty treat for any time of the day!
Honestly, who can say no to pumpkin-packed goodness? I love enjoying them fresh out of the oven while the glaze is still gooey—absolute bliss! 😋
Making these donuts is a breeze! Just mix, bake, and drizzle. They’re great for breakfast or a snack, and they fill your kitchen with the smell of fall!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Canned Pumpkin Puree: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own by roasting and pureeing fresh pumpkin. It gives a lovely flavor, but canned is so convenient!
Sugars: Brown sugar adds a nice richness, while granulated sugar gives that sweet crunch. If you want a healthier option, consider using coconut sugar or maple sugar instead.
Applesauce: This moistens the donuts and can be replaced with mashed bananas or yogurt for a different twist. I often use unsweetened applesauce to keep the flavors full and balanced.
Spices: The blend of spices gives that warm vibe! For a quicker option, Pumpkin Pie Spice can substitute the individual spices, simplifying things a bit.
How Do I Bake Donuts Without Them Sticking?
Prevent sticking by properly greasing your donut pan. Here’s how:
- First, lightly spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray or grease it with vegetable oil or butter.
- Make sure to get into all the crevices of the donut shape.
- Let the donuts cool for a few minutes before trying to remove them. This allows them to firm up a bit and reduces the risk of breaking.
If you find they still stick, try using parchment paper cut into rounds to line the pan, though this is less common with donut pans.
What’s the Best Way to Glaze Donuts?
Glazing donuts is easy, but getting the glaze just right can be tricky. Here’s how:
- Prepare the glaze while the donuts cool, using a whisk to combine powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk to your desired consistency.
- Dip the top of each donut straight into the glaze for an even coating, then let the excess drip back into your bowl.
- Allow the glazed donuts to sit on a wire rack. This way, they set nicely instead of pooling on the plate.
The timing here is key—glaze them right after they cool for the best texture and flavor!
Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts With Sweet Maple Glaze
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Donuts:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
For the Sweet Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 15-18 minutes of baking time. Additionally, let’s account for a few minutes of cooling. Overall, you can have these delicious donuts ready in about 40-45 minutes, perfect for a quick treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps your donuts bake evenly. While your oven warms up, lightly grease a donut pan or use non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the canned pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk to mix everything together until it’s nice and smooth. This mixture is where all the delicious flavor starts!
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the wonderful spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures an even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, gradually add your dry ingredients into the bowl with your wet ingredients. Gently mix until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix, or your donuts could turn out dense!
5. Fill the Donut Pan:
Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each cavity of the donut pan about 2/3 full with the batter. This gives them room to rise without overflowing.
6. Bake the Donuts:
Place the donut pan in the oven and bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them—they should be slightly golden.
7. Cool the Donuts:
Once baked, remove the donuts from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important to keep them light and airy!
8. Make the Maple Glaze:
While the donuts cool, prepare your sweet maple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of milk. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk a little at a time until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
9. Glaze the Donuts:
Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the maple glaze, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack so the glaze can set properly.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Your easy baked pumpkin donuts with sweet maple glaze are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them warm or at room temperature, and savor every delicious bite.
This recipe yields about 12 delicious donuts. For any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for the best taste. To keep them fresh, consider glazing just before serving.
FAQs for Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts With Sweet Maple Glaze
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?
Absolutely! You can use fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned. Just roast a small pumpkin, scoop out the flesh, and blend it until smooth. This will add a deliciously fresh flavor to your donuts!
What If I Don’t Have a Donut Pan?
No worries! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin. Just fill the cups slightly less than full and bake for about the same time. You’ll have delicious pumpkin muffins instead!
How Should I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but they are best enjoyed fresh!
Can I Make the Glaze Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make the glaze ahead of time! Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Just give it a good stir and add a bit of milk if it thickens when you’re ready to use it.