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.
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
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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?
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
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:
How to make baked pumpkin donuts
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
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 
Apple Crumble Coffee Cake (with video) 
Chocolate Kahlua Bread Pudding with Pecans and Chocolate Chips 
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
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
- I used canned pumpkin puree for this recipe.
- 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.
- The regular-sized donuts were done in 17 minutes, the mini donuts were done in 12.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Happy baking!
Did you make baked pumpkin donuts? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
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Janet says
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!
Jolina says
Hi Janet! You’re most welcome! Happy to hear you like it, hope the hubby did too 🙂
Anna says
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.
Jolina says
I’m happy that you liked them Anna! Have a great day!
Feliza says
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.
Jolina says
Hi Feliza! You’re welcome! Glad you liked them. Cinnamon sugar is magic isn’t it? 🙂
Helen says
These sound just perfect for autumn, love the hacks for if you don’t have a doughnut pan!
Jolina says
Thanks Helen! I love those hacks too (hacks in general), so clever.
Marisa Franca says
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.
Denise says
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.
Jolina says
You already have the donut pan! These need to happen soon 🙂
Veena Azmanov says
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.
Kelly Anthony says
These donuts sound so yummy and perfect for the fall!
Gloria says
Baked donuts are the BEST. I would love one of these with my coffee anytime!!
Jolina says
Hi Gloria! Donut party 🙂
Anosa Malanga says
Wow, so many drooling recipes that could be tried. Glad I was able to stumble upon this website. Will definitely be trying this out.
T says
Oh my! Pumpkin doughnuts are actually one of my favorite things of the season!!
Gisele says
These look awesome. I’ve never made donuts but this looks like it isn’t that hard. Thanks!
Jolina says
Hi Gisele! These are not hard to make at all 🙂 Hope you try them!
Jenn says
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!
Terri Steffes says
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.
Jolina says
Me too, hope I saw those hacks sooner! Now I can’t stop making donuts lol!
Heather says
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.
Jolina says
You and me both! Bring on all the donuts 🙂
cathy mini says
wow i love this recipe and i had it with my own version and this is definitely enjoy.
Mary says
I’ve never made donuts, but I would love to try your recipe. What a perfect fall treat! My kids would love these too.
Pam says
Pumpkin is one of my daughter’s favorite fall foods. She will love it when I surprise her with this recipe.
Heather says
I definitely need to make these. Baked donuts are so yummy and I’m all about pumpkin everything right now.
Jeanette says
Now THOSE look SO tasty! I love that they are baked too! WAY better than fried. Anything pumpkin is awesome in my book!
Angei says
These look SOOOO good. I’ve never tried to make doughnuts at home, but I may have to totally try these…
Kita Bryant says
This is so perfect for this season. I would love to dip it into some apple cider!
Jolina says
Now that’s a yummy idea!
Amber Myers says
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.
Sarah Bailey says
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!
candy says
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.
Tasheena says
How yummy does this recipe look?! I can’t wait to give it a try. I love trying new pumpkin recipes.
Alli Smith says
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!
Jolina says
I think it’s time to bring out the pan and make some donuts! 🙂