Mini Pumpkin Donuts with Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Nothing says Autumn Time then eating a Pumpkin Spice Donut or two. Using fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin, you can make wonderful pumpkin Spice mini cake doughnuts with pumpkin spice glaze. 

Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Total Time: 30 Minutes Servings: 36 Mini Donuts

As the weather starts to cool and the leaves begin to change, I find myself looking forward to one of my favorite times of year: fall. Here in upstate New York, one of our favorite family traditions is heading to a local apple orchard for a day of apple picking. We try to make it out to the orchards a few times each season, especially because the local farms have so many fun activities for families to enjoy.

Of course, no trip to the orchard is complete without a freshly baked apple cider donut. Those warm, delicious treats inspired me to start a new fall tradition at home. These Pumpkin Mini Cake Donuts with Pumpkin Spice Glaze are soft, lightly spiced, and finished with a sweet pumpkin spice glaze. They are the perfect homemade fall treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee, serve at a family gathering, or make when you simply want your kitchen to smell like autumn.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Mini Cake Donuts

• Perfectly pumpkin: These mini cake donuts are packed with warm pumpkin flavor and classic fall spices, making them a delicious treat for the season.
• Easy to make: You don’t need a deep fryer or any special baking skills. These donuts are baked in the oven, making them a simple homemade treat.
• The pumpkin spice glaze: The sweet pumpkin spice glaze takes these little donuts to the next level. It adds just the right amount of sweetness and extra fall flavor.
• Great for sharing: Because they are mini, these donuts are perfect for serving at fall gatherings, Halloween parties, brunches, or family get-togethers.
• A fun fall tradition: If you love visiting apple orchards and enjoying seasonal treats, these homemade pumpkin donuts are a fun way to bring a little bit of that fall experience home.
• Kid-friendly: Their small size makes them especially fun for kids to enjoy, and little hands can even help with dipping the baked donuts into the glaze.

Ingredients Needed

This recipe will make 36 mini pumpkin-spiced doughnuts. You may also want to try making our light & fluffy pumpkin pie dip.

For the Pumpkin Mini Cake Donuts

All-purpose flour – This forms the base of the donuts and gives them their light, tender cake-like texture.

Brown sugar and granulated sugar – Using both types of sugar adds sweetness while the brown sugar brings a little extra moisture and richness to the donuts.

Baking powder and baking soda – These leavening ingredients help the mini donuts rise as they bake, giving them a soft texture.

Pumpkin pie spices – A combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin pie spice gives these donuts their classic warm fall flavor. You can measure the spices individually as listed in the recipe, or use your favorite pumpkin spice blend for a slightly different flavor.

Salt – A small amount of salt balances the sweetness and helps bring out the other flavors.

Pumpkin puree – Pumpkin provides moisture, color, and the signature pumpkin flavor in these cake donuts. Be sure to use plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling.

Egg – The egg helps bind the ingredients together and contributes to the structure of the baked donuts.

Butter – Melted butter adds richness and helps keep the donuts tender.

Heavy whipping cream – Cream adds moisture and richness to the batter while helping create a soft, tender texture.

Vanilla extract – A little vanilla enhances the pumpkin and warm spice flavors.

White vinegar – The small amount of vinegar works with the baking soda to help the donuts rise and contributes to their tender texture.

For the Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Brown sugar and powdered sugar – These create the sweet base of the glaze while the brown sugar adds a deeper flavor.

Pumpkin pie spices – Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice give the glaze an extra layer of warm autumn flavor that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin donuts.

Half-and-half – This brings the glaze together and gives it a smooth, pourable consistency.

How To Make These Donuts

First, let’s start out by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. While you are preheating, grab a small bowl and melt 1 teaspoon of butter in the microwave. Remove and let cool.

Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients: brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, flour, sugar, ground nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Using a fork or whisk, stir to combine.

By now, your melted butter should be cool enough. It is time to add a beaten egg, vinegar, heaving whipping cream, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Now whisk together until well combined.

Then, take your wet mixture and add it to your dry mixture to combine in a large mixing bowl. Stir well. Lastly, add pumpkin puree to the mixture. Now you can stir until combined.

In order to make these doughnuts, you need a pan similar to this Wilton 12-Cavity Mini Doughnut Pan.  

Spray the pan with non-stick cooking oil. Then, using a disposable piping bag, fill it with the mixture. Try to eliminate air bubbles by pushing the mixture toward the tip. Using scissors, trim the tip of the piping bag. Slowly fill each donut cavity halfway full.

Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Remove. Let cool.

Then, use a butter knife or spoon to gently release the doughnuts, or turn the pan upside down and gently tap the pan on the counter. They should fall onto the countertop.

These doughnuts will taste fantastic with this Traditional Wassail Cider Drink Recipe.

Other Fall Favorite Recipes

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

Crock Pot Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe

Mini Pumpkin Pies Recipe– Made with Cheese & Crackers

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