Description
These Pumpkin Donuts are light, fluffy, and full of cozy fall flavors. Made with yeast for a pillowy texture, they can be enjoyed plain, coated in cinnamon sugar, or filled with a spiced pumpkin cream for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
½ cup warm milk (95–105°F)
1½ tsp active dry yeast
3¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus 1 Tbsp if needed)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pumpkin spice
⅔ cup pumpkin puree (not pie mix)
1 large egg
3 Tbsp softened unsalted butter
Cinnamon Sugar Coating: ½ cup granulated sugar, ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
Optional Pumpkin Cream Filling: 4 oz cream cheese (softened), ¼ cup pumpkin puree, ½ tsp pumpkin spice, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 cup cold heavy cream
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk; let sit 3–5 minutes until foamy.
- Mix flour, sugar, salt, and pumpkin spice. Add yeast mixture, pumpkin puree, and egg. Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Add softened butter and knead until incorporated. Cover and let rise 45–60 minutes, until doubled.
- Divide dough into 12 pieces. Shape into balls for classic donuts, or tie with twine for pumpkin shapes. Place on parchment and let rise 45–60 minutes.
- Mix cinnamon sugar in a shallow dish.
- (Optional filling) Beat cream cheese, pumpkin puree, spice, and vanilla. Add powdered sugar, then whip in cream until stiff. Chill.
- Heat oil to 325°F. Fry donuts 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Coat warm donuts in cinnamon sugar. If filling, cool, make a hole, and pipe in pumpkin cream.
Notes
- Bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes if you prefer baking over frying.
- Check oil temperature with a thermometer to prevent greasy donuts.
- Gluten-free flour blends can be substituted, but rising may vary.
- Use parchment squares to transfer donuts into oil easily.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 1–2.5 hours rising)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
