These cinnamon sugar pumpkin donuts are soft and fluffy baked donuts that are covered in a crunchy cinnamon sugar mixture. Both pumpkin spice and pumpkin purée are used to give them the best pumpkin flavor!
This post is sponsored by Lifeway. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Ginger Snap's Baking Affairs possible!
These pumpkin doughnuts are perfect for pumpkin season! Just picture waking up on a cool fall morning and having these donuts ready in less then 30 minutes.
They're super easy to prepare and would go great with a cup of coffee, maybe even a pumpkin spice latte!
Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Then check out these: pumpkin bread, pumpkin cinnamon rolls, and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love These Donuts
- They're baked, not fried.
- They have a cakey texture.
- Both pumpkin pie spice and puree are used.
- The cinnamon sugar coating gives them a nice crunch.
- They're perfect to serve during the fall season!
Baked donuts are some of my favorite sweet treats to make. You don't have to worry about hot oil or making a mess. Check out my pumpkin spice baked donuts too!
All you need is a donut pan in order to make this simple pumpkin donut recipe.
Lifeway Kefir
I used Lifeway Kefir in the donut batter to help create an extremely soft and moist baked donut.
Lifeway Kefir is a tart and tangy cultured milk that works so well in baked goods. They have so many different flavors to choose from, including this pumpkin spice one. I used Lifeway Kefir Organic Plain Whole Milk in this recipe.
I am a huge fan of using Lifeway Kefir in my baked goods as a substitution for milk. I highly recommend it!
Check out these pumpkin oat muffins and this Halloween bundt cake where I also used Lifeway Kefir.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients we'll be using. For the full ingredients list, look at the recipe card below.
- Flour: I used all purpose flour.
- Pumpkin Spice: Here is my recipe on how to make your own.
- Pumpkin Puree: This ingredient is 100% pumpkin with no other ingredients added to it. Do not use pumpkin pie filling, for they are not the same.
- Lifeway Kefir Organic Plain Whole Milk: This adds moisture and softness to the donuts.
Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions on how to make these pumpkin cinnamon sugar donuts.
Step 1: Dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, kefir milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until combined.
Step 3: Combine ingredients. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and gently fold together using a rubber spatula until combined.
Step 4: Pipe the donut batter. Scoop the batter into a piping bag and pipe the donut batter into each donut cup, filling it up just barely to the top.
Step 5: Bake. Bake the donuts for 9-12 minutes. Allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing them and setting them on a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Step 6: Cinnamon sugar. In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon.
Use a pastry brush to coat the melted butter over each donut. Then dip the donuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
PRO TIP! Dip each donut into the cinnamon coating twice for even more cinnamon sugar!
Storage Tips
Although donuts are best consumed the same day they are made, they will last for a short amount of time.
Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator or on the counter at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Expert Baking Tips
- Baking Pan: You'll need a 6-count doughnut pan like this one or this wilton donut pan. I have both of these and use them interchangeably. Be sure to spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pumpkin Spice: If you do not have pumpkin pie spice at home, you can easily make your own. Here is my recipe for how to make your own pumpkin spice.
- Donut Batter: I find it so much easier to scrape the donut batter into a pastry bag or a large ziplock bag and pipe the batter into the donut cups. This method makes it less messy too.
Recipe FAQs
Yes you can! You will have a total of 12 donuts. Just be sure to bake each pan separately.
Absolutely! Use a donut hole mold and bake for 7-10 minutes.
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. I love hearing from you! Also, please tag me on Instagram and check out my Pinterest for even more recipe ideas.
It brings me so much joy to see you make my recipes. 🙂
Happy Baking!
More Donut Recipes
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Donuts
Equipment
- Donut Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Piping Bag
Ingredients:
Pumpkin Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup Lifeway Kefir Organic Plain Whole Milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 6-count donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Pumpkin Donuts
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, kefir milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet and gently fold together using a rubber spatula until combined (be careful not to over mix).
- Scoop the batter into a piping bag or a zipped-up sandwich bag. Simply cut a corner off of the bottom of the bag and pipe the donut batter into each donut cup, filling it up just barely to the top.
- Bake the donuts for 9-12 minutes. Use a toothpick to check the center. If it comes out clean, then they're done. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing them and setting them on a wire rack to finish cooling.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- Once the donuts have cooled, melt the butter.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Use a pastry brush to coat the melted butter over each donut (or you can dip the donuts) and then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture. I doubled dip each donut.
- Serve immediately and enjoy. Keep any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes:
- Baking Pan: You'll need a 6-count doughnut pan like this one or this wilton donut pan. I have both of these and use them interchangeably. Be sure to spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pumpkin Spice: If you do not have pumpkin pie spice at home, you can easily make your own. Here is my recipe for how to make your own pumpkin spice.
- Donut Batter: I find it so much easier to scrape the donut batter into a pastry bag or a large ziplock bag and pipe the batter into the donut cups. This method makes it less messy too.
Super light and fluffy donut that has the perfect amount of pumpkin flavor. I love it!