Maple Glazed Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

These Maple Glazed Pumpkin Donuts are a fall baking masterpiece that brings together the warm flavors of pumpkin spice and the rich sweetness of maple in one irresistible package. Baked instead of fried, these donuts are surprisingly simple to whip up and perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or a special treat with your afternoon coffee. The tender, cake-like texture combined with that shiny maple glaze creates a donut that’s impossible to resist!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pumpkin Donuts:

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our donuts, providing structure while keeping them tender.
• Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the pumpkin and spices.
• Baking powder: Our leavening agent that gives these donuts their perfect rise.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Pumpkin pie spice: The magical blend that gives these donuts their warm, cozy flavor profile – if you don’t have it, make your own with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves!
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the donuts.
• Pumpkin puree: The star ingredient! Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains spices and sweeteners.
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
• Milk: Creates a tender crumb and helps the batter come together.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor – melted butter incorporates easily into the batter.

For the Maple Glaze:

• Powdered sugar: The base of our glaze, creating that smooth, sweet coating.
• Milk: Thins the glaze to the perfect consistency.
• Maple syrup: The real deal! Pure maple syrup gives an authentic, rich maple flavor that imitation just can’t match.
• Vanilla extract: Complements the maple flavor beautifully.

Variations

Want to put your own spin on these delicious donuts? Try these tasty twists:

• Maple Bacon: Crumble crispy bacon over the glazed donuts for a sweet-savory combo that’s irresistible.
• Nutty Topping: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the wet glaze for added crunch and flavor.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Skip the glaze and toss warm donuts in cinnamon sugar for a simpler but equally delicious treat.
• Extra Spice: Add a pinch of cardamom or allspice to the batter for a more complex flavor profile.
• Apple Pumpkin: Fold in some finely diced apple pieces to the batter for added texture and flavor.

How to Make Maple Glazed Pumpkin Donuts

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Give your donut pan a good spray with non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your beautiful donuts will release easily after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until they’re thoroughly combined. This even distribution of ingredients is key to perfect donuts.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, milk, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth. The pumpkin gives the batter a gorgeous orange hue that signals fall has arrived!

Step 4: Create Your Batter

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until well combined. The batter will be thicker than cake batter but still fluid enough to pipe.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer your batter to a large piping bag and snip off the tip. Pipe the batter into each well of your donut pan, filling each about ¾ full. If you don’t have a piping bag, a zip-top bag with the corner cut off works perfectly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake the donuts for 8-10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they spring back when lightly touched. The kitchen will fill with the aroma of pumpkin spice – a sure sign fall is in the air!

Step 7: Cool

Allow the donuts to cool slightly in the pan, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here – glazing warm donuts will cause the glaze to run off.

Step 8: Make the Maple Glaze

While the donuts cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the donuts but thin enough to drip slightly.

Step 9: Glaze Your Donuts

Place a wire cooling rack over a baking sheet to catch drips. Dunk each donut top-down into the glaze, then place on the wire rack to set. The glaze will harden slightly as it cools, creating that classic donut finish.

How to Serve

These Maple Glazed Pumpkin Donuts are versatile treats that can be enjoyed in many ways:

Breakfast Pairing:

Serve with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or apple cider for the perfect fall breakfast. The maple glaze pairs beautifully with a dark roast coffee.

Dessert Option:

Warm a donut slightly and top with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for an incredible dessert experience.

Brunch Spread:

Include these donuts in a fall brunch spread alongside savory egg dishes and fresh fruit for a well-rounded meal.

Gift Giving:

Package a few donuts in a pretty box or bag for a thoughtful homemade gift that anyone would love to receive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled, glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Freezing

Unglazed donuts freeze beautifully! Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and then glaze before serving.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked taste, warm refrigerated or room temperature donuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, as the glaze can melt.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These Maple Glazed Pumpkin Donuts bring together everything wonderful about fall baking – they’re warm, spiced, and utterly comforting. The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. With basic pantry ingredients and less than an hour of your time, you can create something truly special that will fill your home with the most amazing aroma. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these donuts are sure to become a seasonal favorite that friends and family will request year after year. Give them a try this weekend – your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!

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