Okay, so, fall is *totally* my baking season. I mean, who can resist the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin wafting through the house? Not me, that’s for sure! And these baked pumpkin spice donuts? Seriously, they’re the *easiest* way to get your pumpkin spice fix. Forget standing in line at the coffee shop – you can whip up a batch of these babies in under an hour!
I’ve been making this baked pumpkin spice donuts recipe for years, tweaking it here and there until it’s just… perfect. My kids go absolutely *nuts* for them. Last year, I even made them for their school bake sale, and they sold out in, like, five minutes! Everyone wanted the recipe, so I figured I’d finally share it here. Trust me, even if you’re not a super experienced baker, you can totally nail these. They’re soft, cakey, and bursting with that warm pumpkin spice flavor we all crave when the leaves start to turn. So, grab your donut pan and let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe
Okay, seriously, there are a million reasons to adore this recipe, but here are a few of my faves:
- They’re SO easy to make!
- Hello, perfect fall vibes!
- That pumpkin spice flavor? To die for!
- Soft and cakey texture that melts in your mouth.
- And, bonus, they’re baked, so they’re a bit healthier than those fried ones. Score!
Quick and Easy Fall Treat
Seriously, you can whip these up faster than you can say “pumpkin spice latte.” No complicated steps, I promise!
Healthier Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Let’s be real, donuts aren’t health food, but *baking* them cuts down on the grease. So, you can enjoy a treat without *all* the guilt!
Perfect Pumpkin Spice Flavor
It’s like autumn in every single bite! Warm spices, sweet pumpkin… it’s just pure comfort food.
Ingredients for the Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Nothing too crazy here, I promise. Just your basic baking staples, plus a few key players to give these baked pumpkin spice donuts that signature fall flavor. Make sure you have everything prepped and ready to go – it makes the whole process so much smoother!
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. (Yep, the regular stuff!)
- 1 tsp baking powder. (For that nice, fluffy rise.)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda. (Don’t skip it! It helps with the texture.)
- 1/2 tsp salt. (Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice. (The *magic* ingredient! You can find this at pretty much any grocery store, or make your own if you’re feeling fancy.)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar. (For sweetness, of course!)
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar. (Adds a little extra molasses-y goodness.)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree. (Make sure it’s *puree*, not pumpkin pie filling! Big difference!)
- 1/4 cup milk. (Any kind works, really. I usually use 2%.)
- 2 tbsp melted butter. (Adds richness and flavor. Mmm, butter.)
- 1 large egg. (To bind everything together.)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract. (A little touch of vanilla never hurt anyone!)
How to Make the Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Don’t worry, it’s way easier than it looks. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be munching on warm, delicious baked pumpkin spice donuts in no time. Promise!
Preparing the Oven and Dry Ingredients
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). You don’t want to forget this step! While the oven’s warming up, grease your donut pan. I like to use cooking spray, but you can also grease it with butter or shortening. Now, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Just whisk it all together until it’s nicely combined. This makes sure everything’s evenly distributed, ya know?
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
In a *separate*, larger bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. I usually just use a whisk for this too, but a hand mixer works great if you have one. Just mix until everything’s smooth and creamy. This is where that amazing pumpkin spice smell really starts to come alive!
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Okay, now for the slightly tricky part – but don’t worry, it’s still easy! Gently add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Here’s the key: *don’t overmix*! Mix until *just* combined. A few lumps are totally fine. Overmixing will make your donuts tough, and nobody wants that. Trust me on this one!
Baking the Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Carefully fill each donut cavity about 2/3 full. I like to use a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with a corner cut off to do this, but a spoon works just fine too. Pop the donut pan into the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them, because ovens can vary! If they’re browning too quickly, you can loosely cover the pan with foil.
Cooling and Finishing Touches
Once the donuts are baked, let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking. Now, for the fun part: toppings! You can dust them with powdered sugar, make a simple glaze, or even dip them in chocolate. The possibilities are endless! My favorite? A simple dusting of powdered sugar. It’s classic and lets that pumpkin spice flavor really shine.
Tips for Perfect Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Want donut perfection? Here’s my secret sauce! First, seriously, DON’T overmix that batter! Second, make sure you measure your flour correctly – spoon it into the measuring cup instead of scooping. And lastly, room temperature ingredients are your friend! They blend together so much better. Trust me!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe
Okay, so maybe you’re out of an ingredient or have some dietary needs? No sweat! These baked pumpkin spice donuts are pretty forgiving. Let’s talk swaps!
Gluten-Free Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Want to make these gluten-free? Easy peasy! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. I like Bob’s Red Mill – it works great. Just make sure it’s a blend designed for baking, and you’re good to go!
Dairy-Free Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe
Dairy-free? No problem! Use your favorite non-dairy milk (almond, soy, oat – they all work!). And for the melted butter, just sub in a dairy-free butter alternative or even coconut oil. You won’t even notice the difference!
FAQ About This Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe
Got questions? I got answers! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me about these amazing baked pumpkin spice donuts.
Can I make this Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe ahead of time?
Totally! These are actually pretty great the next day. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They might lose a *tiny* bit of their soft texture, but they’ll still be delicious!
Can I freeze these Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts?
Yep! If you want to keep them longer, freezing is the way to go. Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. They’ll last for a month or two. Just thaw them out at room temperature before enjoying!
What if I don’t have a donut pan for this Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe?
No donut pan? No problem! You can totally make these as muffins. Just use a muffin tin and adjust the baking time – they’ll probably need a few extra minutes. Keep an eye on them and use the toothpick test!
Serving Suggestions for Your Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Okay, so you’ve got your warm, delicious baked pumpkin spice donuts… now what? Well, they’re pretty amazing all on their own, but here are a few ideas to take them to the next level! My personal fave? A hot cup of coffee. The bitterness of the coffee perfectly complements the sweetness of the donut. Tea is also a great choice! Or, if you’re really feeling festive, try them with a glass of apple cider. Yum!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so, before you devour the whole batch (and trust me, it’s tempting!), let’s talk numbers. Keep in mind, this is just an *estimate*, since things can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use. But roughly, one of these baked pumpkin spice donuts clocks in around:
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
So, yeah, they’re a treat! But hey, everything in moderation, right? And homemade always feels a *little* bit better!
Enjoy Your Homemade Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe!
Alright, friends, that’s all there is to it! Seriously, these baked pumpkin spice donuts are so easy and so delicious, you *have* to try them! I promise, you won’t regret it. They’re the perfect way to celebrate fall, or just treat yourself to something yummy.
And hey, if you do make them, I’d *love* to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Did you add any fun toppings? Did you make any substitutions? I’m always curious to hear about your baking adventures! And if you really loved them (and I know you will!), give the recipe a rating! It helps other people find it. Oh, and don’t forget to share your donut creations on social media! Tag me – I’m @[YourSocialMediaHandle] – so I can see your amazing baked pumpkin spice donuts! Happy baking!
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Failproof Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe in 1 Hour
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 6 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy these delicious baked pumpkin spice donuts. They are easy to make and perfect for fall.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In another bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fill each donut cavity about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar or glaze, if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use brown butter.
- Add chocolate chips or nuts to the batter for extra texture.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
