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Baked Pumpkin Donuts (with video)

by Jolina 38 Comments [This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.]

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Baked pumpkin donuts with cinnamon sugar that are soft, tender, delicious and so easy to make. You’d want to enjoy them with your coffee or tea all season long.

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts (with video)

Remember my No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust? These cinnamon sugar baked pumpkin donuts share the same mouthwatering flavour profile.

Filled with fall favourites like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, plus a generous helping of pumpkin puree, they go perfectly with coffee or tea on a crisp fall day. You’d be surprised how they come together so easily too!

Difference between cake donuts and yeast donuts

This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

Baked donuts are also called cake donuts because, unlike traditional donuts, they are baked and cake-like, not fried and airy. And that’s really the main difference between the two.

But if you want to get really technical about it – a cake donut is made with a sweetened batter usually with baking powder to help it rise. It’s firmer and often soft and cake-like, like these pumpkin donuts.

Yeast donuts, also called raised donuts, are the more traditional kind of donut. Think: Krispy Kreme Original Glazed (OMG drool).

It’s made with a yeast dough then cut into shape before deep frying. They’re light and airy, have a slight chew and yeast flavour.

Related: Pandesal Recipe (Filipino Bread Rolls)

What is better – cake donuts or yeast donuts?

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts (with video)

So what is the better donut? It’s really a matter of preference.

Some people like that yeast donuts are airy but others don’t like the fact that they’re fried (though some cake donuts can be fried too).

Cake donut fans like the fact that cake donuts are baked and more filling while non-fans miss the light texture of a yeast donut.

I personally like all donuts (I’m not picky lol). I think the more important question is, is it donut or doughnut?! (I went with the simpler route, donut).

How to make cake donuts without a donut pan

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts (with video)

I was inspired by my friend Dawn over at Girl Heart Food (she has some amazing donut recipes) to start experimenting with donuts. It took me longer than expected to start though because I didn’t own donut pans.

I did eventually buy some since I baked donuts a lot but you don’t have to. Don’t let not owning donut pans stop you from making donuts at home!

I found these two really clever hacks for you:

  • DIY Doughnut Pan
  • How to Convert a Muffin Pan into a Doughnut Pan 

How to make baked pumpkin donuts

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts (with video)

Once we’ve addressed the donut pan situation, we can get on with baking! And it cannot get easier than this.

You don’t even need a mixer. In fact, as a general rule, cake donut batters should be mixed minimally to ensure tenderness so mixing by hand is preferable.

Make sure to mix thoroughly though. Ensure there are no patches of flour remaining in the batter.

So scrape the bowl to make sure your ingredients are combined well, but avoid over-mixing, which can make the batter tough. Gentle but thorough does it.

You then have a choice of scooping your batter into the pan or piping them. I like to pipe them – I find it’s less messy that way (check out the video). Don’t have piping bags? Just get a large Ziploc bag and cut off one tip.

Related: Pumpkin Buttermilk Pancakes with Candied Pecans

How to make cinnamon sugar

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts (with video)

Can we take a moment to talk about cinnamon sugar? So simple, but so good! Who knew mixing sugar with a little bit of cinnamon can take your baked goods to the next level?

In addition to these baked pumpkin donuts, you can also sprinkle cinnamon sugar in cakes, cupcakes and even your favourite lattes.

I’m convinced the perfect ratio is 1/4 cup sugar to 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, which was what I used in this recipe.

Related: How to Make Churros con Chocolate at Home

Thanksgiving breakfast recipes

I’m not entirely sure how to categorize donuts. I eat them for breakfast, snack and the occasional dinner lol! But I suppose a lot of people have them in the morning.

In which case, these cinnamon sugar baked pumpkin donuts would be perfect on Thanksgiving morning. Nothing beats waking up to the smell of these baking in the oven!

Here are more Thanksgiving breakfast ideas for you:

  • Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping
    Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping
  • Sweet and Savoury Apple Recipes
    Apple Crumble Coffee Cake (with video)
  • Chocolate Kahlua Bread Pudding
    Chocolate Kahlua Bread Pudding with Pecans and Chocolate Chips
  • Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
    Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash with Sausage, Bacon and Eggs

Pumpkin pecan muffins are a delicious way to start the day! With bits of crunchy pecans mixed in with the batter and a delightful pecan streusel topping, it’s a muffin especially made for a lovely fall morning.

The mouth-watering flavour trifecta of apple, cinnamon and cardamom bursts in every bite of this apple crumble coffee cake. Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, it’s perfect with coffee or tea on a crisp fall day.

Reward yourself with breakfast that tastes like dessert! Slightly boozy too. What more can we ask for? Chocolate kahlua bread pudding is bursting with chocolate flavour and a truly special morning treat. 

Sweet potato breakfast hash is delicious and filling. And with all the best things about breakfast – potatoes, sausages, bacon and eggs – in one pan, it’s a great way to start your day!

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts (with video)

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Author: Jolina
These cinnamon sugar baked pumpkin donuts are soft, tender, delicious and so easy to make. You’d want to enjoy them with your coffee or tea all season long.
4.72 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine North American
Servings 24 donuts
Calories 119 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Baked Pumpkin Donuts

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 pcs large eggs room temp and lightly beaten
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree see note 1
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

For the Cinnamon Sugar

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease donut pans (see note 2) and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk all ingredients – except the flour – until incorporated. Add the flour and gently stir until combined and no more patches of flour remain. 
  • Transfer to your donut pans. You can either spoon the batter into the pans or pipe them (see video).
  • Bake for 12-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a couple of donuts come out clean (see note 3). Allow the donuts to slightly cool in the pan. 
  • In the meantime, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon. While the donuts are still warm (but already set), roll/dip them in the cinnamon sugar.

Video

Notes

  1. I used canned pumpkin puree for this recipe.
  2. I used regular-sized donut pans and mini donut pans for this recipe, which resulted to 12 regular-sized and 24 mini donuts. I think this batter is enough to yield 24 regular-sized donuts.
  3. The regular-sized donuts were done in 17 minutes, the mini donuts were done in 12.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 50mgPotassium: 72mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2385IUVitamin C: 0.7mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.7mg

Nutritional information are estimates only.

Keyword Cinnamon Sugar, Easy, Fall, Thanksgiving
Tried this recipe?Tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations!

Happy baking!

Did you make baked pumpkin donuts? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

And let’s get social! Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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Filed Under: Breakfast & Brunch, Recipes, Video Recipes

Previous Post: « Sweet and Savoury Apple Recipes
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet says

    August 28, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Jolina. Someone gave me a donut pan many months ago but it isnt until recently that I started baking donuts and came across your recipe. Hubby says too early for pumpkin but I disagree! This is delicious. Definitley making again. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:25 pm

      Hi Janet! You’re most welcome! Happy to hear you like it, hope the hubby did too 🙂

      Reply
  2. Anna says

    September 17, 2019 at 12:06 am

    4 stars
    I made some and they’re so delicious and tasty! My donuts were a little oily more than I’d like so next time I will cut down on the oil but overall very good recipe.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      September 19, 2019 at 8:55 am

      I’m happy that you liked them Anna! Have a great day!

      Reply
  3. Feliza says

    September 1, 2019 at 7:57 am

    5 stars
    My daughter helped me make these and it was delicious. We don’t have donut pan so we followed one of the hacks you suggested and made them in a muffin pan. Spinkled as much cinnamon sugar as we liked. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      September 19, 2019 at 8:55 am

      Hi Feliza! You’re welcome! Glad you liked them. Cinnamon sugar is magic isn’t it? 🙂

      Reply
  4. Helen says

    October 15, 2018 at 6:41 am

    These sound just perfect for autumn, love the hacks for if you don’t have a doughnut pan!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      Thanks Helen! I love those hacks too (hacks in general), so clever.

      Reply
  5. Marisa Franca says

    October 14, 2018 at 12:41 pm

    Regardless of whether they are cake or yeast I could stand a donut right now. I’m ready to have a nice hot cup of herb tea — cinnamon apple and I figure these donuts would be perfect. I like the cinnamon sugar on top — a real treat. In fact, I’d love to make this recipe and take the donuts over to my daughter’s house.

    Reply
  6. Denise says

    October 11, 2018 at 7:33 am

    These look fantastic and unlike yeast donuts, they seem like something I could actual bake. I even have the donut pan! Thanks for the donut lesson too …. I didn’t know the different between the two.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      You already have the donut pan! These need to happen soon 🙂

      Reply
  7. Veena Azmanov says

    October 10, 2018 at 2:33 pm

    I LOVE how simple and easy these are. My kids would be all over these. They love cinnamon sugar too. I am like you I can have donuts any time of the day.

    Reply
  8. Kelly Anthony says

    October 10, 2018 at 7:19 am

    These donuts sound so yummy and perfect for the fall!

    Reply
  9. Gloria says

    October 9, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    Baked donuts are the BEST. I would love one of these with my coffee anytime!!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 5:53 pm

      Hi Gloria! Donut party 🙂

      Reply
  10. Anosa Malanga says

    October 7, 2018 at 3:44 am

    Wow, so many drooling recipes that could be tried. Glad I was able to stumble upon this website. Will definitely be trying this out.

    Reply
  11. T says

    October 6, 2018 at 7:29 pm

    Oh my! Pumpkin doughnuts are actually one of my favorite things of the season!!

    Reply
  12. Gisele says

    October 6, 2018 at 1:03 pm

    These look awesome. I’ve never made donuts but this looks like it isn’t that hard. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 5:54 pm

      Hi Gisele! These are not hard to make at all 🙂 Hope you try them!

      Reply
  13. Jenn says

    October 6, 2018 at 9:15 am

    I love this cake donut recipe. There’s something about a cinnamon sugar cake donut in the fall that is so special. These look incredible and I so want to try to make these at home now!

    Reply
  14. Terri Steffes says

    October 6, 2018 at 9:02 am

    The donuts sound awesome. I read the posts about how to bake donuts without a pan. That has what has kept me from adventuring into the donut world of baking.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      Me too, hope I saw those hacks sooner! Now I can’t stop making donuts lol!

      Reply
  15. Heather says

    October 5, 2018 at 11:44 pm

    I personally think I like the fried better, just thinking of Krispy Creme, but really have had wonderful baked donuts too. So I guess I’m just an all around donut fan.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      You and me both! Bring on all the donuts 🙂

      Reply
  16. cathy mini says

    October 5, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    5 stars
    wow i love this recipe and i had it with my own version and this is definitely enjoy.

    Reply
  17. Mary says

    October 5, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    I’ve never made donuts, but I would love to try your recipe. What a perfect fall treat! My kids would love these too.

    Reply
  18. Pam says

    October 5, 2018 at 6:23 pm

    Pumpkin is one of my daughter’s favorite fall foods. She will love it when I surprise her with this recipe.

    Reply
  19. Heather says

    October 5, 2018 at 5:25 pm

    I definitely need to make these. Baked donuts are so yummy and I’m all about pumpkin everything right now.

    Reply
  20. Jeanette says

    October 5, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    Now THOSE look SO tasty! I love that they are baked too! WAY better than fried. Anything pumpkin is awesome in my book!

    Reply
  21. Angei says

    October 5, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    These look SOOOO good. I’ve never tried to make doughnuts at home, but I may have to totally try these…

    Reply
  22. Kita Bryant says

    October 5, 2018 at 3:10 pm

    This is so perfect for this season. I would love to dip it into some apple cider!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 6:38 pm

      Now that’s a yummy idea!

      Reply
  23. Amber Myers says

    October 5, 2018 at 1:53 pm

    These look SO good! I love doughnuts. And pumpkin stuff. Plus I like that these are baked. I need to make these for the family.

    Reply
  24. Sarah Bailey says

    October 5, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Now these sound like such a delicious idea as something to enjoy this time of year! They sound like they would be easy enough for me to give a try of making as well!

    Reply
  25. candy says

    October 5, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    I make a baked donut so very close to your recipe. I am not eating this kind of food right now but if I am going to make them I always make baked donuts.

    Reply
  26. Tasheena says

    October 5, 2018 at 11:14 am

    How yummy does this recipe look?! I can’t wait to give it a try. I love trying new pumpkin recipes.

    Reply
  27. Alli Smith says

    October 5, 2018 at 11:12 am

    I have a doughnut pan sitting up in a cabinet all lonely because I haven’t used it in a while. I love baked doughnuts and these are perfect for fall! Yum!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      October 15, 2018 at 6:39 pm

      I think it’s time to bring out the pan and make some donuts! 🙂

      Reply

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This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

Nutrition values provided on this site are estimates only. See Terms of Use for more information.