These pumpkin donuts are hands-down one of my favorite things to bake this time of year. They’re soft, full of cozy spice, and rolled in the dreamiest cinnamon sugar coating. Ideal for bake sales, Thanksgiving desserts, or a homemade gift. One of the best fall baking recipes you can make this autumn.
If you are looking for more fall treat ideas, be sure to check out my list of 40+ Fantastic Fall Treats and Desserts.
How to Make Pumpkin Donuts
Ingredients you’ll need for donut dough
Ingredients you’ll need for cinnamon sugar coating
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Start by warming up your milk and adding it to a small bowl with the yeast and a couple of tablespoons of sugar. Give it a quick stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, egg, softened butter, and the remaining sugar. Whisk until everything is smooth and delicious.
3. Once your yeast mixture is all puffed up, pour it into your pumpkin mix. Give it a good mix until combined.
4. Now, add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
5. Use a rubber spatula to fold these in until you have a thick, well-mixed dough.
6. After an hour, transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes. It should feel firm and bouncy.
7. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
8. Cut a long piece of thick string and tie it around each dough ball, wrapping it like a present. This will create those adorable pumpkin indentations.
9. Preheat your oven to 350°F. While the donuts are frying, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
10. Once the donuts are done frying, let them cool on a wire rack. After they’ve cooled and the excess oil has dripped off, cut the string away. Pop them in the oven for another 5-8 minutes to make sure the centers are fully cooked.
11. Roll each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they’re completely coated.
12. Stick a cinnamon stick in the center of each donut to create a cute little pumpkin stem.
Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your pumpkin donuts warm and watch as everyone swoons over these fall-inspired treats!
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Baking sheets for recipe prep
Mixing bowls for recipe prep
Important Recipe Notes
- Use Pure Pumpkin Purée: Make sure you’re using 100% pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling—there’s a big difference in sweetness and spice levels.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Gently fold the ingredients just until combined to keep the donuts soft and fluffy.
- Let Them Cool Slightly Before Coating: If the donuts are too hot, the cinnamon sugar will melt instead of sticking. Let them cool for about 5–10 minutes first.
- Bake Time May Vary: Oven temps can differ, so check for doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- Storage Tip: These donuts are best eaten fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat slightly for that fresh-baked taste!
Pumpkin Donuts
Ingredients
For the Donut Dough:
- ½ cup warm milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons active yeast
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 ¼ cups flour
- ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by warming up your milk and adding it to a small bowl with the yeast and a couple of tablespoons of sugar. Give it a quick stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, egg, softened butter, and the remaining sugar. Whisk until everything is smooth and delicious.
- Once your yeast mixture is all puffed up, pour it into your pumpkin mix. Give it a good mix until combined.
- Now, add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
- Use a rubber spatula to fold these in until you have a thick, well-mixed dough.
- After an hour, transfer the dough to a floured surface and give it a knead for a few minutes. It should feel firm and bouncy.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
- Cut a long piece of thick string and tie it around each dough ball, wrapping it like a present. This will create those adorable pumpkin indentations.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. While the donuts are frying, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Once the donuts are done frying, let them cool on a wire rack. After they’ve cooled and the excess oil has dripped off, cut the string away. Pop them in the oven for another 5-8 minutes to make sure the centers are fully cooked.
- Roll each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they’re completely coated.
- Stick a cinnamon stick in the center of each donut to create a cute little pumpkin stem.
- Serve your pumpkin donuts warm!