As fall sets in and the temperature begins to drop, warm up with these Baked Pumpkin Pie Donuts, topped with your choice of maple glaze or a spiced sugar coating.
Hashtag food blogger problems. What do you do when you're not a big fan of pumpkin, yet Type A anxiety takes over your whole existence because your Pinterest account looks like it just threw up an entire pumpkin patch and you don't want to miss out on being on trend and seasonal with your blog posts and aghhhhhhhh?
Well, apparently you start by writing a run-on sentence. Then you calm down and start thinking about how you can incorporate the orange sludge into something you already love. Something that's familiar. Safe. And surrounded by a healthy dose of flour and sugar. Ah... I know.
Donuts. Yes, that's it. Baked Pumpkin Pie Donuts. And everyone loves a donut 🙂
Move over Baked Brown Butter Churro Donuts, Horchata Glazed Donuts, and Red Velvet Donut Holes. Well, actually, don't go far... I still love you dearly and want you in my life as well. We just need to make room for this gourd-geous (see what I did there? please laugh and encourage me) new donut.
And if you're like me, you want choices with your donuts. So I'm giving you two ideas to dress up yo' donuts here.
Pumpkin Spice Sugar.
Maple Pumpkin Spice Glaze.
Hmmm, or I guess you could go crazy and glaze them first and then dip them in the sugar. Now that's a whole new level of fatness right there. That's one way to fast track your way to receiving a sincere virtual high five from yours truly.
So there you have it. My very first pumpkin recipe ever on Shared Appetite. Phew... please excuse me while I cross that off my bucket list. And eat a donut.
Print
Baked Pumpkin Pie Donuts
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 Donuts 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking bowder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup canned pumpkin
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 4 tablespons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
for the Sugar Coating
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
for the Maple Pumpkin Pie Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ - 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, Kosher salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, oil, egg, vanilla extract, canned pumpkin, whole milk, and melted butter until combined. Slowly add in dry ingredients and stir until just combined (don't overmix to avoid a tougher donut).
- Spoon batter into a large ziploc bag. Make a small cut in one of the bottom corners of the bag, and then pipe the batter into the donut pan. Lightly tap donut pan against counter to smooth out batter. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and donuts spring back when gently pressed. Turn donuts out onto cooling rack and allow to cool a bit.
- Follow directions for either the sugar coating or maple pumpkin glaze below:
for the Sugar Coating
- Combine sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Using a pastry brush, apply a thin layer of butter to each donut. While still "wet", roll donuts in sugar coating. Use a spoon or fingers to apply more sugar to desired spots if necessary. Serve immediately.
for the Maple Pumpkin Pie Glaze
- Mix together all ingredients until fully combined. Start with ½ tablespoon of the milk and increase only if necessary to achieve a glaze-like consistency. Dip the tip of each donut in the glaze and move to a wire rack with wax paper or aluminum foil underneath (to catch the drips of glaze). Allow the glaze to harden and then devour.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
Taylor
With the incr-edibleness of this recipe, I would have NEVA thought you weren't a pumpkin fan. Seriously, Chris, how much do you charge to ship? I want dem alll! Pinned!
Chris
Hahaha, maybe I'm slowly becoming a fan of the stuff... slowly 😉
Helen
Congrats, Chris!! I don't think I have one single pumpkin recipe on my blog yet, but I'm' not feelin' any particularly pressure as it's spring over here in Australia! Glorious, glorious spring (soon to become autumn tho when we fly back to the UK, but we won't think about that).
The donuts look and sound fabulous. Love your first picture!
Chris
Hahaha exactly Helen... enjoy your spring time!
Ilona
Pumpkin maple glaze... mmmm these donuts are incredible:)
Chris
Thanks Ilona!
Bianca
I'm gonna go for the glazed version. And since these are baked and made with pumpkin that means these donuts are healthy right?
Chris
Yup, completely healthy 😉
Shashi
Hahaha - THis post has got to be the funniest one of yours - that I have read - "orange sludge" "whole new level of fatness" - duuuude - too too funny!
As a year round orange sludge lover - let me say congrats on your first pumpkin post - these donuts look mouthwatering and I am up to try that that glazed and dusted one!
Chris
Well thank you very much... I must have been in a pretty slap-happy mood when I wrote it hahaha.
Shibi
I can almost smell the aroma of the freshly baked warm pumpkin spiced donuts. I love how it smells the whole house once its baked. Perfect way to welcome fall 🙂
Chris
Indeed! Love baking in the fall!
marcie
Look at you -- you completely turned a "problem" into a positive. Who could turn down donuts as gourd-geous as these? (I love that). I've been hankering for some pumpkin donuts, and these are NOT helping. Pinning. 🙂
Chris
Haha thanks for the encouragement with my lame puns!
Kristi
These donuts don't look like they need dressing up. They look perfect exactly as they are. And, I love them in the cast iron skillet! Yes!
Chris
Thanks Kristi! Yea, I love that cast iron skillet. It's my "go to" photography prop!
CakePants
Yummm...I seriously need to get my act together and buy a doughnut pan already! These look awesome, and I fully approve of and applaud your "gourd-geous" pun 🙂
Chris
Yes, you totally need a donut pan!! Treat yo' self!
Mike
Writing a run-on sentence is always the answer, and so is using the catchphrase "move over".
Which means that if you can use "move over" in a run-on sentence than you have found the answer to all questions. Which isn't the answer, it's the question.
Actually, there is no ultimate answer - the universe just is. Or maybe the universe is a question itself.
Hmm....I think I'm losing it here, maybe it's better to have one of those amazing donuts. That's the only answer.
#AlphaConfused #AlphaNeedsSugar #WolfPackEats
Mike
*then you have found... (typo alert!)
Chris
Hahaha this was one of the most philosophical comments I've ever seen. So funny!
Renee
HA!! Your whole "run-on" sentence about freaking out for not having any pumpkin recipes cracked me up!! Well you done well, even though you don't care for pumpkin because these pumpkin donuts look mouth watering. And that coming from a pumpkin lover!! 🙂
Chris
Hahaha thanks Renee!
Sarah
Look at you getting all gourdgeous with your recipes (This is me encouraging you!). You're so on top of things! I haven't even begun THINKING about pumpkin. (I'm still stuck in July, I think.)
Also, I hope these indulgent pumpkin pie donuts pushed your more toward becoming a pumpkin lover!
Chris
Hahaha thanks for that encouragement lol! Eh, being stuck in July is a great thing. I know some pretty awesome people born in July!
David
Very first pumpkin recipe...as in ever? Kudos to you, my friend! These donuts looks delicious. I agree with you about pumpkin. I didn't like it as a kid. I didn't like it as a teenage. I still didn't like it in my younger 20's. Then I started trying it in cheesecake...and then ice cream...and then breads...and now apparently in donuts. I just made something similar the other day, and I couldn't stop eating them! Watch out...it'll grow on you. If not, you can send me your leftovers. #WolfpackEats
Chris
Yea man... ever! Hahaha I'll send you my leftovers when you finally start shipping me some of your famous ice cream.
Jess
These donuts look amazing, Chris! Never had pumpkin pie before, but I'm definitely craving this recipe! 😀
Chris
Thanks Jess!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
I could pour that glaze on EVERYTHING. These look perfect for weekend brunch!
Chris
Oh me too Erin... me too.
Chrissy
Since I eat pumpkin all year 'round, I am unfazed by current blog pressure! However, in your case, you done good. These look delish!
Chris
Thanks Chrissy!
Ashley
haha orange sludge - I love it. I like pumpkin and all but it's not my favorite of all the fall flavors. Butternut squash and apple all the way!
But these donuts look awesomeeee. That glaze - yeah I want some of that...
Chris
I'm with you on the squash and apple... it's my preferred way to be down with fall as well.
Kathy
Congrats on the first pumpkin recipe. I am yet to get there. But seriously this is a pretty kick butt recipe. That glaze!!!
Chris
Thanks Kathy!
Ceara
Congrats on your first pumpkin recipe (WOW - these pumpkin donuts are a great place to start - they look delicious!) Anything Pumpkin this time of year = amazing in my books 🙂
Chris
Thanks Ceara! I'm slowly coming around the the orange stuff... haha
Dannii
I want to put that glaze on everything. These look amazing.
Kelly
Yay, way to go on your first pumpkin recipe - I think you totally nailed it with these pumpkin pie donuts! They look amaaaazing! Haha and since I'm a sucker for donuts and the orange sludge I'll take a batch both ways please 🙂
Chris
Thanks Kelly 🙂
Danae
These are some seriously gourd-geous (you crack me up!) donuts! I could totally see myself fattying them up and dipping them in the glaze first then putting cinnamon sugar on top!
Chris
YES! Danae, you're my hero. Fatten them up indeed!
Becca from It's Yummi!
If you AREN'T a pumpkin fan and you make an amazing pumpkin dessert this crazy good, I can't even fathom what it would have been like if you were a pumpkin lover! LOL
Chris
Hahaha I don't even want to know... I hear it's pretty easy to get addicted to pumpkin!
cheri
Congrats on your first pumpkin recipe, excellent choice!
Chris
Thanks so much Cheri!
Chelsea
These photos!! LOVE! And those pumpkin donuts look absolutely divine - that glaze looks awesome! Now you need to write a food photography post on dark moody lighting cause yours is perfect!
Chris
That's actually a great idea, thanks Chelsea! I'll do it 🙂
Dedy
Definitely gonna try this, i guess this less calories and healtier baked doughnuts version gonna be my next project!!!
good job my friend.....
Chris
Thanks Dedy!
Amy | Club Narwhal
Um, that first sentence had me dying! So hard, so true 🙂 These donuts look like the PERFECT compromise (though I am a serious pumpkin lover and eat it year round, and even in my smoothies!)
Chris
Haha thanks Amy! Wow, smoothies... that's actually a great idea!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
These took my breath away! Your photos are amazing and these donuts look addictive!
Chris
Thanks so much Jocelyn! They are pretty addictive... which is probably why my clothes feel like they're shrinking...
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen
OK, I officially just drooled a bit on my keyboard!!!
Chris
Hahaha I do that all the time when reading blogs... I think I need to by a drool guard for my laptop
Meggan | Culinary Hill
Your photographs are JUST so gorgeous and your donuts are making me salivate. I haven't personally posted any pumpkin recipes but thanks for reminding me that I need to get on that. Hashtag blogger guilt. Pinning, because Pinterest needs even more pump-kinspiration!
Chris
Hahaha blogger guilt is the worst, isn't it?! I get it all the time!
Laura | Fork Knife Swoon
Chris these look amazing! I AM a pumpkin lover, and can't wait to try these!
Chris
I'm not even a pumpkin fan and I still loved these 🙂
Sandra
I can't believe I almost missed your very first pumpkin recipe post....I've been so super busy I missed this gem! This is just too good...and I am so ready for pumpkin everything!!! Bring it ON
Chris
Hahaha you totally can't miss my debut pumpkin post lol! Can't wait to see what pumpkin goodness you come up with this fall!
Connie
Chris! These look amazing!! I hear you on the not feeling the pumpkin thing.
Right there with ya but I'm dying to try these, especially the maple pumpkin pie glaze!
Chris
Thanks Connie... yea I may or may not have have licked the glaze bowl clean hahaha
Layla
Oh yum! these donuts came just in time
Chris
Thanks Layla!
Morgan
Awww, $%&*^. I JUST signed off of Facebook for a self-imposed hiatus {and by hiatus, I mean at least until morning}. Rest assured, I'll be sharing these as soon as the ban is lifted. YUM!
Chris
Hahaha thanks so much Morgan! Enjoy your Facebook-free life for a bit. I'm sure it'll be amazing!