If you’re ready for something that perfectly captures the cozy warmth of autumn, you’ve got to try my Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe. These donuts are fluffy, tender, and bursting with that classic pumpkin spice flavor—plus, the maple glaze on top adds just the right touch of sweetness and spice. I absolutely love this recipe because it’s simple to make at home, and you’ll find that everyone goes crazy for them whether it’s a weekend treat or a holiday morning indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist & Fluffy Texture: Thanks to pumpkin puree and buttermilk, these donuts stay soft and tender every time.
- Perfect Balance of Spice: The pumpkin pie spice blend brings cozy warmth without overpowering the natural pumpkin flavor.
- Easy Maple Glaze: The maple syrup glaze adds just the right hint of sweetness and spice for a next-level finish.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual snack or a festive breakfast, these donuts impress every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With simple pantry staples and a few seasonal staples, this Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe comes together quickly and delivers rich fall flavors everyone loves.
- All Purpose Flour: Spoon and level to avoid dense donuts—this helps keep them light and airy.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that brings warm, authentic spice.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners work together for perfect rise and tenderness.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to creamy perfection, it gives richness and moisture.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs bind the batter and create structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor with a delicate sweetness.
- Buttermilk: At room temperature—it tenderizes the dough and reacts with baking soda.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient—use canned pumpkin puree for the best moisture and flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: For the glaze—smooth and sweet without graininess.
- Maple Syrup: Adds earthy sweetness to the glaze that pairs beautifully with pumpkin spices.
Variations
I love tweaking this recipe depending on the season or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste or occasion!
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Donuts: I’ve had great results swapping regular flour for a gluten-free blend; just be sure to add a little xanthan gum to help with texture.
- Spiced Maple Bacon Glaze: For a savory twist, sprinkle crispy bacon bits on the maple glaze—my family went nuts over this combination.
- Vegan Version: Swap eggs for flax eggs and butter for coconut oil or vegan butter. The donuts are still tender and flavorful, perfect for plant-based diets.
- Extra Pumpkin Flavor: Adding a bit more pumpkin puree intensifies the flavor but may require a tiny adjustment in baking time for moisture balance.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by combining your all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. I like to whisk these together well so the spices are evenly distributed; this makes every bite consistently delicious. Set this aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is key to airiness, so don’t rush it! Once creamy, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine Pumpkin and Buttermilk
In a separate small bowl, gently whisk together the canned pumpkin puree and the room temperature buttermilk. The combination of moisture and acidity from the buttermilk helps keep the donuts tender and gives a subtle tang that balances the sweet spices.
Step 4: Blend Everything Together
Add the dry ingredients alternately with the pumpkin-buttermilk mixture to the creamed butter-sugar mixture. I find it easiest to start and end with the dry ingredients to keep the batter smooth but not overmixed. Stir just until all ingredients come together — overmixing will make your donuts tough.
Step 5: Bake Your Donuts
Grease your donut pans well, then evenly distribute the batter. These make about 16 donuts, so if you only have one pan, bake in batches. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the donuts spring back gently to the touch. Cool them in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 6: Prepare the Maple Glaze
While your donuts cool, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a touch of pumpkin pie spice until silky smooth. This glaze is thick enough to cling beautifully to the donuts without dripping everywhere. Once your donuts are at room temperature, dip the tops into the glaze and place back on the wire rack to let it set.
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temp eggs, buttermilk, and butter helps everything combine smoothly and creates the best texture.
- Don’t Overmix Batter: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep your donuts tender and light, not dense.
- Even Donut Size: Spoon your batter into a measuring cup to pour evenly into each cavity of the donut pan for uniform baking.
- Glaze When Cool: Make sure the donuts are fully cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—sometimes a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar or tiny chopped pecans adds a lovely crunch and an extra hint of fall flavor. If I’m feeling festive, a few candied pumpkin seeds on top after glazing gives a great textural contrast and looks pretty too.
Side Dishes
These donuts go great with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For a special brunch, I like pairing them with creamy scrambled eggs and fresh fruit like warm apple compote or spiced pear slices. The combination really sings!
Creative Ways to Present
For a holiday party, I’ve arranged these donuts on a tiered stand with autumn leaves and mini pumpkins as decoration. Another fun idea is to drizzle extra glaze in a crisscross pattern after dipping or serve them alongside a small bowl of whipped cream or cinnamon butter for dipping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I recommend storing leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They stay surprisingly moist, but if your kitchen is warm, you might want to keep them in the fridge—just be aware that refrigeration can dry them out a bit.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these donuts successfully by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the oven. The texture holds up remarkably well.
Reheating
To refresh your donuts, I usually warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and slightly melts the glaze again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crispy glaze texture on top.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
You absolutely can! Just make sure to cook and puree fresh pumpkin until smooth, then strain out excess water so your donuts don’t become too wet. Canned pumpkin puree is convenient and consistent, but fresh pumpkin works beautifully if prepped properly.
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What’s the best way to prevent donuts from sticking to the pan?
Grease your donut pan well with butter or use a non-stick spray. I even lightly dust the pan with flour after greasing to ensure easy release. Letting the donuts cool for a few minutes before attempting to remove them helps them set and release cleanly.
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Can I make these donuts dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free butter substitute and swap buttermilk for an almond or oat milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to mimic buttermilk’s acidity. These tweaks work well without compromising flavor or texture.
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How long do Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze stay fresh?
While freshest the day they’re baked, they keep well at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container. After that, they’re still good reheated but begin to lose moisture and softness.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried this Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe, I was blown away by how moist and flavorful they were—so much better than store-bought, and perfect for sharing with family and friends over coffee or tea. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do; the simple process, cozy aroma, and irresistible taste are sure to become a fall favorite in your kitchen too. Trust me, once you try these donuts, you’ll be reaching for the recipe every pumpkin season!
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Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 27 min
- Yield: 16 donuts
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Pumpkin Spice Donuts, perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie seasoning and topped with a luscious spiced maple glaze. Baked to golden perfection, these donuts bring the essence of autumn into every bite, making them the ideal treat for pumpkin season.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 2 1/4 cups (281 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tbsp ground pumpkin pie spice
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 10 tbsp (140 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated white sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 cup (244 g) canned pumpkin puree
Spiced Maple Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups (195 g) powdered sugar
- 6 tbsp (90 ml) maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp ground pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a donut pan by greasing it lightly with butter or non-stick spray to ensure the donuts don’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract to incorporate fully.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir together the buttermilk and canned pumpkin puree until smooth, then gradually add this mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed, just until the batter comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan cavities, filling each about three-quarters full for proper rising.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Spiced Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and ground pumpkin pie spice until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Donuts: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the spiced maple glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place back on the wire rack until the glaze sets, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the glaze has set, the donuts are ready to enjoy! Perfect for a cozy autumn breakfast or dessert.
Notes
- These are the best pumpkin spice donuts, being extra moist and bursting with the iconic pumpkin spice flavor.
- The spiced maple glaze adds an extra layer of sweetness and seasonal depth.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best batter consistency and texture.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin and hollow out the centers after baking to create donut shapes.
- Donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
