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Pumpkin is the traditional flavor of fall, a favorite season for so many, and if you are looking for a few new delicious recipes to try, check out this Pumpkin Spice Donut Recipe! You don't have to head over to the donut shop or coffee shop for your pumpkin spice flavor favorites! You can easily make this pumpkin spice donut recipe at home.

This recipe is simple to follow and results in a delicious treat. See helpful hints and details in the post, or scroll down to the recipe to get started on making your own homemade warm donuts for breakfast or dessert! Enjoy!

What does a pumpkin donut taste like?

If you are a fan of pumpkin spice, then you will love these pumpkin donuts! These donuts are made with real pumpkin puree, and they are rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mixture. The result is a delicious, moist donut that is full of fall flavor. The best part about pumpkin donuts is that they are relatively easy to make at home. All you need is a can of pumpkin puree, some spices, and a basic donut recipe. So if you are looking for a fun treat to make this fall, be sure to give pumpkin donuts a try!

How to Make- Baking Vs. Frying?

These donuts can be baked or fried, as with most donut recipes. We recommend trying to bake them first, and then as you get familiar with dealing with batter for homemade donuts, go ahead and try out frying them. A baked donut will be much easier to start with. These homemade pumpkin donuts are great baked or fried, so you can decide which method you prefer. The recipe is very similar to a muffin or scone recipe, so if you are familiar with baking, it's not anything difficult. It did take me a couple of years to get to the point where my donut batter came out as good as the restaurant version!

Items Needed:

Donut Pan: For best results with baked donuts, you do need a pan made specifically for this purpose. There are donut makers on the market, but just a good silicone pan will do the trick. Using a baking sheet will not work, as the batter is a bit too soft and will lose its shape. Substituting with a muffin tin is also not ideal, since the donuts will cook more like muffins- very soft in the center with crispy edges. Definitely invest in a donut pan for this recipe.

Non-stick Spray: Don't skip this one. Donuts will stick to the pan- even a silicone pan- without a good nonstick spray.

Oil: One thing that separates most donut recipes from muffins is the oil content. Use vegetable oil, canola oil, or your favorite organic oil. Do not use a heavier or strongly flavored oil such as extra virgin olive oil.

Donut Cutter or Small Round Cookie Cutter: If you don't have a donut pan or want to make shaped or filled donuts, you can use these tools to shape them after baking or frying. It will simplify the process for making this Pumpkin Spice donut recipe.

White Sugar: Donuts have a very sweet dough! The actual “bread” or batter is going to have more sugar content than biscuits or scones. So, be sure to have sugar on hand and do not substitute with biscuit dough for best results.

Deep fryer: You can fry donuts in a skillet with hot oil and a thermometer, or a deep fryer. An electric fryer is great since you can set the temperature to a specific setting. If you set it to medium heat it stays right there at medium heat without having to adjust over and over again.

 A pro tip is to allow the donuts to fry until they are slightly underdone, to avoid having them overly crispy or crunchy! They will just barely be golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. You will also want to have paper towels for draining if you choose to fry, it's a great way to keep your work surface tidy when making delicious donuts. 

Pastry Brush: An easy way to glaze your donuts at home is by using a pastry brush. Heat up icing or glaze in a small sauce pan to help it quick-set (and get that shiny perfect restaurant-style glaze coating)!

How to Mix:

Basically, the general rule is to keep wet ingredients and dry ingredients separate and mix them all at once. Combine flour and spices in a bowl, and in a separate bowl or large measuring dish, combine oil, milk and any other wet ingredients. Butter and sugar are best mixed together in another bowl and added in slowly to the other wet ingredients. Again, you do not have to use this method but I've found keeping the flour mixture separate from the wet ingredients yields fluffy but not overly cakey donuts! They have a good amount of chewiness and keep their shape.

Fun Pumpkin Spice Donut Facts

Did you know that the earliest pumpkin spice donuts date back to the 1800s? That's right – these delicious treats have been around for centuries! In fact, the first recipes for pumpkin spice donuts were actually published in American cookbooks. These early versions of the donut were usually made with a simple doughnut batter and then flavored with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The popularity of pumpkin spice donuts really took off in the 1950s, however, when a company called Dunkin' Donuts began selling them nationwide. Today, pumpkin spice donuts are enjoyed by people all over the world and have become a popular fall treat. So next time you're craving something sweet, why not reach for this pumpkin spice donut recipe? You'll be glad you did!

FAQ's:

Welcome to our Pumpkin Spice Donuts Recipe FAQ! Here, we'll address some common questions and concerns you might have while making these delicious fall treats.

Do you fill donuts before or after frying?

These donuts are actually not a filled donut recipe. You can, if you don't mind an extra step and are familiar with using a piping bag to fill icing, custard or pudding into the pastries. Since pumpkin and cream cheese icing go so well together, we would recommend a cream cheese based filling if you choose to add this!

There are two schools of thought when it comes to filling donuts: before frying or after. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. Filling the donuts before frying them means that the filling will be evenly distributed. However, it can be difficult to get the filling into the donuts without making a mess. It can also be tricky to seal the donuts properly so that the filling doesn't leak out during frying. You do need a sturdy donut batter for this purpose. Filling the donuts after frying them is a bit simpler, as you can just inject the filling into the donuts using a small piping tip. However, this method can result in uneven distribution of the filling, and you run the risk of puncturing the donut if you're not careful. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide which method you prefer. Try both and see which one works best for you. For most home baking, we recommend filling after the donuts are done baking and before they are completely cooled off.

Can I customize the toppings on these donuts?

Absolutely! You can get creative with toppings. Besides the classic glaze or powdered sugar, try adding chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or drizzling caramel sauce for extra flavor and texture.

Can I make these donuts gluten-free or vegan?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend and ensuring your other ingredients are gluten-free. For a vegan version, use plant-based milk and an egg substitute like flax eggs. Be sure to choose vegan glaze or icing options as well.

How do I store pumpkin spice donuts?

Store your pumpkin spice donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, microwave them for a few seconds or pop them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes.

Can I freeze pumpkin spice donuts?

Yes, you can freeze pumpkin spice donuts. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag, separating each layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven before enjoying.

Does Krispy Kreme still have pumpkin spice donuts?

Every year around the start of fall, Krispy Creme will have pumpkin spice doughnuts. These are usually only offered for a certain special event, so if you want to head over to get these donuts or donut holes, follow the Krispy Kreme social media pages so you won't miss out. Usually all their specialty flavors are available on Fridays.

Does Dunkin Donuts have a pumpkin donut?

Dunkin has their version of pumpkin spice donuts available for longer than Krispy Kreme. They usually introduce pumpkin flavors around the same time as Starbucks, at the end of August. You can find a fall menu easily when you stop in.

Pumpkin Spice Donut Recipe

More Great Pumpkin Recipes

• How to Make Pumpkin Cold Foam Coffee
• Homemade Pumpkin Pecan Bread Recipe
• Pumpkin Pie Hummus Recipe
• Baked Pumpkin French Toast
• Pumpkin Spice Donuts
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
• Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
• Homemade Pumpkin Bars
• Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• Hand Dipped Pumpkin Spice Pretzels
• Delicious Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
• Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Caramel Cream Cheese Filling
• Pumpkin Patch Trail Mix
• Pumpkin Roll…Yes please!
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