Pumpkin Spice Donuts are the perfect fall treat, made with real pumpkin puree and a simple spice cake mix. When they come hot out of the oven, they’re finished off with an irresistible salted caramel glaze.
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Why this Pumpkin Spice Donut Recipe is Definitely a Keeper
This easy recipe for baked donuts uses pumpkin puree and classic fall spices. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to make again and again, as you’ll want to try this recipe every year. Here are some reasons why you’ll want to try these pumpkin spice donuts:
- 30 Minute Dessert: It only takes half an hour to make these delicious pumpkin spice cake mix donuts.
- Pantry Meal: You can probably find all of the ingredients for these pumpkin donuts in your pantry.
- Seasonal: Fall is pumpkin season, and these doughnuts are the perfect way to celebrate.
What Spices Make Up Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin spice is not actually pumpkin flavored, but rather refers to the spices that flavor a pumpkin pie. These spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and ginger. The flavor of pumpkin spice has now become heavily popularized due to the success of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, which includes real pumpkin along with the pumpkin spice flavors.
Ingredient Notes for Baked Pumpkin Donuts
These pumpkin pie spice donuts are delicious, and super easy to make. This recipe uses real pumpkin to make the donut dough, as well as spice cake mix, so it’s delicious without taking too much time. Here are some ingredients you will need to make this recipe:
- Spice Cake Mix: All of the dry ingredients you need for baked cake donuts can be found in a box of spice cake mix.
- Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin puree will give the donuts a distinct pumpkin flavor. You can also use fresh pumpkin if you have any on hand.
- Torani Salted Caramel Syrup: Salted caramel flavored syrup will help you make the glaze. Just combine the syrup with sugar and whisk until smooth.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Pumpkin Cake Doughnuts
- Prep the Dough: Prepare the dough a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This will allow the gluten to relax, resulting in a softer and more tender donut.
Special Equipment Needed for Cake Donuts
- Donut Pan: A donut pan will help your donuts retain their shape in the oven.
Pro Tip to Make this Recipe
Allow the donuts to cool completely before glazing or frosting. This prevents the glaze or frosting from melting.
How to Make Baked Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts
These are the basic steps for making pumpkin spice donuts. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. If you like this recipe, leave a review; reader interactions help us make more great recipes for you.
1. Mix the Donut Batter in Large Bowl
Add the cake mix, pumpkin, and water to a large mixing bowl and mix until combined; whisk until smooth. After you combine the wet ingredients and mix, spray the donut pan with nonstick spray. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Fill Donut Pan
Use a piping bag to fill the donut baking pan (if you don’t have one, snip off the tip of a plastic bag). Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the donuts comes out clean. Remove the donuts from the pan, then transfer donuts onto a cooling rack.
3. Make Glaze and Dip Each Donut
Mix together sugar and caramel syrup in a medium or small bowl. Once combined, spread the glaze onto slightly cooled donuts, or dip the top of each donut into the glaze.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers of this Pumpkin Recipe
- Storing: Store donuts in an airtight container in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
- Reheating: If you want to eat the donuts hot, reheat them in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
- Using Leftovers: Eat leftover donuts for breakfast or dessert.
Variations and Substitutions for Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
- Apple cider: Mix in apple cider with the dough for a delightful apple-pumpkin combination.
- Chocolate: Drizzle chocolate ganache or sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the donuts for a decadent treat.
- Spiced sugar: Coat the donuts with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for an extra kick of flavor.
Homemade Pumpkin Donut Frequently Asked Questions and Reader Interactions
Expert Tips for Making Pumpkin Glazed Donuts
- Syrup Flavors: Use your favorite flavor of syrup to make the glaze, or use a sugar-free option.
- Make from Scratch: Make these donuts from scratch with flour, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, and melted butter. The spices you need include cinnamon sugar, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Decorate: For a party decorate the cupcakes with cute little decorations.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Air frying is a great option for this recipe. You can also add oil into a deep pan and fry the donuts on the stove.
- Muffin Tin: Make pumpkin spice muffins in a muffin pan if you don’t have a donut pan.
- Mini Donuts: If you want to make a bite-sized version of this doughnuts recipe, make sure to use a smaller-sized tin. Follow the recipe exactly, but half the ingredients if you’re making them smaller.
- Pumpkin Spice Sugar Glaze: Add powdered sugar and pumpkin spice into the glaze as well. You can even mix in some crunchy cinnamon sugar for texture.
- Sprinkles: Next time, I’ll use colorful sprinkles or candies or chocolate chips for a little crunch.
- Icing: Try using a cream cheese or chocolate frosting for the donuts.
Pumpkin Spice Donuts
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Ingredients
Donuts
- 18 ounces Spice Cake Mix, 1 box
- 15 ounces Pumpkin Puree, 1 can
- 2 tablespoons Water
Glaze
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Torani Salted Caramel Flavored Syrup
Instructions
Donuts
- Stir together cake mix, pumpkin and water until no lumps remain.
- Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Use a piping bag to fill the donut baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until until a tooth pick, inserted into the center, comes out clean.
Glaze
- Stir together sugar and syrup. If mixture is too thick, add small amounts of syrup until desired consistency is reached.
- Spread glazed on slightly cooled donuts.
Christina’s Notes
- Syrup Flavors: Use your favorite flavor of syrup to make the glaze, or use a sugar-free option.
- Make from Scratch: Make these donuts from scratch with flour, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, and melted butter. The spices you need include cinnamon sugar, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Decorate: For a party decorate the cupcakes with cute little decorations.
- Alternate cooking method tip: Air frying is a great option for this recipe.
- Muffin Tin: Make pumpkin spice muffins in a muffin pan if you don’t have a donut pan.
- Mini Donuts: If you want to make a bite-sized version of this doughnuts recipe, make sure to use a smaller-sized tin. Follow the recipe exactly, but half the ingredients if you’re making them smaller.
- Pumpkin Spice Sugar Glaze: Add powdered sugar and pumpkin spice into the glaze as well. You can even mix in some crunchy cinnamon sugar for texture.
- Sprinkles: Use colorful sprinkles or candies or chocolate chips for a little crunch.
- Icing: Try using a cream cheese or chocolate frosting for the donuts.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.