If you are craving a cozy autumn treat that perfectly balances spice, sweetness, and a tender crumb, then you have to try this Irresistible Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe. These donuts are baked to perfection, boasting a moist pumpkin flavor infused with warm pumpkin pie spice, topped lovingly with a luscious maple glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness and shine. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, looking for a weekend baking project, or simply want to indulge in a comforting dessert, these donuts deliver a delightful experience bite after bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is the secret to making these donuts shine. Each component plays a critical role — the pumpkin puree adds natural moisture and that signature fall flavor, the brown sugar creates a deep caramel note, and the pumpkin pie spice brings warmth and complexity. Together, they melt into a batter that bakes up light, fluffy, and irresistibly fragrant.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and perfect base for the donuts.
- Baking powder: Ensures your donuts rise beautifully and stay tender.
- Pumpkin pie spice: The essential blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for that cozy fall flavor.
- Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Baking soda: Gives a little extra lift and helps with browning.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and helps keep the donuts moist.
- Light brown sugar: Brings sweetness and a subtle molasses depth.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients, adding structure and moisture.
- Canned pumpkin puree: The heart of the recipe, providing flavor, moisture, and vibrant color.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavors harmoniously.
- Maple syrup (for glaze): Offers natural sweetness and iconic maple flavor.
- Unsalted butter (for glaze): Creates a silky, rich glaze texture.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze to just the right consistency.
How to Make Irresistible Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your donut pan generously. This ensures that each donut will come out perfectly without sticking, so you keep their beautiful shapes and smooth edges.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, kosher salt, and baking soda. This combination creates the perfect spice-infused dry mix that gives the donuts their signature warmth and flavor.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, blend the melted butter and light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Then, add the large eggs one at a time, followed by the canned pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. Mixing these ingredients well helps develop a rich, smooth batter.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your donuts light, fluffy, and tender. The batter should be smooth and thick, ready to spoon or pipe into your pan.
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly into the donut pan, filling each mold about three-quarters full to leave room for rising. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Once baked, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Step 6: Make the Maple Glaze
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the maple syrup and unsalted butter together. Stir in the vanilla extract, kosher salt, and sifted confectioners’ sugar, whisking until the glaze is smooth and slightly thickened. This glaze adds a gorgeous sheen and irresistible maple sweetness that perfectly complements the spiced pumpkin donuts.
Step 7: Glaze the Donuts
Dip each cooled donut into the maple glaze, allowing excess glaze to drip off before placing them back on the wire rack to set. This finishing touch transforms the donuts into irresistible treats, with just the right balance of spice and sweetness.
How to Serve Irresistible Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a finishing touch to these donuts can elevate them for any occasion. Consider sprinkling chopped pecans or toasted pumpkin seeds on the glaze while it’s still wet. A light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg can also emphasize the warm spices, making your donuts look as stunning as they taste.
Side Dishes
These donuts pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, spicy chai tea, or even a glass of cold milk. For a brunch spread, serve them alongside fresh fruit or a bowl of yogurt with a drizzle of honey to balance the richness and add freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests, stack the donuts on a decorative plate or cake stand, and drizzle extra maple glaze artistically over the top. You can also create mini donut holes with leftover batter and serve them alongside the full-sized donuts as bite-sized treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep them covered well to maintain their softness and prevent the glaze from drying out. If you notice they start to lose moisture, a quick warm-up can bring them back to life.
Freezing
You can freeze the donuts to enjoy later by wrapping each donut individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a zip-top freezer bag. Frozen donuts keep well for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature, then refresh the glaze before serving.
Reheating
To revive the donuts, warm them gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes. This melts the glaze slightly and restores that just-baked softness, making every bite feel fresh and heavenly.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
Absolutely! Fresh pumpkin can be cooked and pureed to replace canned pumpkin, but be sure to drain excess moisture to keep the batter from becoming too wet. Roasting and then blending works best for rich flavor.
Is it possible to make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Adding a teaspoon of xanthan gum might help with texture if your blend doesn’t already contain it.
Can I make the donuts without a donut pan?
While a donut pan is ideal for shape, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin as a convenient alternative. The texture will be just as delicious, but the shape will be like a cupcake’s rather than a donut’s.
How thick should the maple glaze be?
The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and stick to the donuts without running off immediately. Adjust the consistency with a little extra confectioners’ sugar or a splash of maple syrup if needed.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the batter?
Definitely! Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add great crunch, and mini chocolate chips bring extra indulgence. Fold them into the batter gently just before spooning it into the pan.
Final Thoughts
This Irresistible Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe is a true celebration of fall flavors and simple baking joy. It’s a perfect way to brighten your mornings or sweeten any gathering with a classic seasonal treat. I encourage you to try it out and experience the comforting aroma and delightful taste that these donuts bring to the table. Once you make them, they’ll likely become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire!
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Irresistible Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These irresistible baked pumpkin donuts are soft, moist, and bursting with warm autumn flavors thanks to pumpkin pie spice and maple glaze. Perfectly sweetened with brown sugar and topped with a luscious maple glaze, they make a cozy treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Maple Glaze
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan to prevent sticking and allow for easy donut removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, kosher salt, and baking soda to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter and light brown sugar until smooth. Then add the eggs, canned pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract, mixing well to form a cohesive wet mixture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth and uniform without overmixing.
- Fill Donut Pan: Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each donut cavity about ¾ full with the batter to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool Donuts: Remove the donuts from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack to prevent sogginess and prepare for glazing.
- Prepare Maple Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine maple syrup and unsalted butter. Heat until butter is melted and mixture is warm.
- Add Flavor and Sweetness to Glaze: Stir in vanilla extract, kosher salt, and confectioners’ sugar until the glaze is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Glaze Donuts: Dip the cooled donuts into the maple glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, then set them aside on a rack to let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
- Ensure donuts are fully cooled before glazing to prevent melting the glaze.
- Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for best results.
- The donut batter can be piped using a piping bag for neater shapes or spooned directly into the pan.
- Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For a spicier flavor, add an extra ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
