We’re about to enter into the pumpkin zone and it’s going to be pumpkin everything … pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin scones, pumpkin cheesecake. 

I made Pumpkin Cake Donuts … too soon? 

These melt in your mouth, soft cake donuts are my way of entering the pumpkin zone. I’ve finished them three ways – sugar and cinnamon, pumpkin glazed and maple glazed. Which one would you choose?

What makes these Pumpkin Cake Donuts so good

• They are baked, not fried
• Their cakey texture
• They are so quick and easy to make
• Perfectly spiced
• Finish them with sugar coating or glaze

Tip –  to fill the donut pans, add the batter to a large icing bag or ziplock bag, cut off a corner, and pipe the batter into the donut pan filling only about halfway. This makes transferring the batter easy, with no mess. 

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Pumpkin Cake Donuts

Course Dessert

Ingredients

For the Donuts

• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all purpose flour

For Dusting

• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon

For Pumpkin Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp water, maybe more
• 2 tbsp pumpkin purée

For Maple Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp water, maybe more
• 1 tsp maple flavouring

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spray a donut pan with baking spray.
• In a large bowl, mix oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, spices, salt and baking powder until smooth with a wooden spoon or spatula.
• Add flour, stirring just until smooth.
• Spoon the mixture into a ziploc bag or icing bag, which makes it easier to fill the donut pans.
• Fill the wells of the pan about ½ full – don't over-fill.
• Bake the donuts for 15 minutes or until they feel firm.
• Remove donuts from the oven, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer donuts to a rack to cool.
• While donuts are still warm, gently dip them into the sugar/cinnamon mixture or the glaze.
• Cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Inspired by King Arthur Flour.