If you’re anything like me, the moment pumpkin spice hits the shelves, you’re ready to dive into all things cozy and flavorful. That’s exactly why I can’t get enough of this Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe. They’re soft, moist, and bursting with warm spices, and the rich maple glaze on top takes these treats to a whole new level. Whether you’re a pumpkin fanatic or just looking for an easy fall breakfast that will impress, you’ll love how simple and satisfying these donuts are.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Moist Texture: Thanks to pumpkin puree and buttermilk, these donuts come out irresistibly tender every time.
- Perfect Fall Flavor: Pumpkin pie spice is front and center, giving you all those warm, seasonal vibes you crave.
- Easy Maple Glaze: The spiced maple syrup glaze is quick to whip up and adds a delightful sweetness without overpowering the donuts.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weekend treat, a holiday brunch, or a cozy coffee break, these donuts shine.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to that perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and moisture in this Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe. I always use fresh spices and good-quality canned pumpkin to make sure the flavors really pop.
- All-purpose flour: Spoon and level your flour to avoid dense donuts; too much flour can dry them out.
- Pumpkin pie spice: This ready-made blend packs pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which is ideal for authentic flavor.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents help your donuts rise and stay fluffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter adds richness without overpowering flavors.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the donuts while helping with texture.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs bind everything and improve texture.
- Vanilla extract: Brings depth and warmth to the donut batter.
- Buttermilk: Adds subtle tanginess and reacts with baking soda for rise and tenderness.
- Canned pumpkin puree: The star ingredient for moistness and signature flavor; make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
- Powdered sugar: For the smooth, sweet glaze.
- Maple syrup: Real maple syrup transforms the glaze with a natural sweetness and aroma.
Variations
I love that this Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe is flexible enough to tweak without losing that fall magic. You can easily adjust it to fit your taste or dietary needs.
- Gluten-free version: I once swapped all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and the texture was surprisingly spot-on — just watch the baking time closely.
- Spice it up: For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne or black pepper to the batter; it brings out the pumpkin spice beautifully.
- Maple glaze alternatives: You can swap the maple syrup for honey or brown sugar if that’s what you have handy; still delicious, just slightly different in flavor.
- Mini donuts: Using a mini donut pan makes for perfect bite-sized snacks that my family loves, especially around Halloween.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. This makes sure your spices and leaveners are evenly distributed so every bite is perfectly flavorful.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 3 to 4 minutes. I found this step key because it traps air and creates a tender crumb in the donuts.
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, Pumpkin & Buttermilk
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, and buttermilk. Make sure everything is well combined but don’t overmix.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing here is a common mistake that can make donuts dense, so take it slow.
Step 5: Bake Your Donuts
Spoon or pipe the batter into a greased donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool slightly before glazing.
Step 6: Whip Up the Maple Glaze
While the donuts cool, mix powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice in a bowl until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable; add a splash of milk if needed.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
Dip each donut top-first into the glaze or drizzle it over with a spoon. Let the glaze set for a few minutes, then enjoy them fresh. I promise, you’ll be sneaking seconds!
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I always make sure eggs and buttermilk are at room temp—it helps everything blend smoothly for a better rise.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir dry into wet ingredients gently to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Use Fresh Spices: Old pumpkin pie spice can be flat; fresh spices give you a true autumn punch.
- Cool Before Glazing: Glaze will melt off if your donuts are too warm, so give them at least 5 minutes to cool.
How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a sprinkle of crushed toasted pecans or a dash of extra pumpkin pie spice on top of the glaze—it adds a subtle crunch and amps up the cozy factor. Sometimes, a little edible gold dust is just the thing for parties!
Side Dishes
Pairing these donuts with a hot cup of chai tea or a creamy latte is my go-to. For a brunch spread, they also go great alongside scrambled eggs with herbs or roasted sweet potatoes for a balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve found that arranging the donuts on a rustic wooden board with mini pumpkins and cinnamon sticks around makes for a stunning fall display. For a holiday brunch, placing each donut in a pretty cupcake liner with a small maple leaf on top is a simple way to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature, and they usually stay moist and fresh for up to two days. If your kitchen is humid, storing them in the fridge helps prevent them from turning soggy.
Freezing
These donuts freeze wonderfully! Just wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them overnight in the fridge—they come back soft and delicious.
Reheating
To bring your donuts back to life, I like to microwave them for about 15 seconds or pop them in a warm oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This warms the glaze slightly and refreshes the texture without drying them out.
FAQs
-
Can I make these Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe vegan?
Yes! To make these donuts vegan, swap the butter with a vegan butter substitute, replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and use a plant-based milk mixed with lemon juice or vinegar as a buttermilk alternative. The glaze can be made vegan by using pure maple syrup and powdered sugar without coatings.
-
What is the best way to prevent the glaze from running off?
Let the donuts cool completely before glazing; if they’re warm, the glaze will melt and drip off. Also, a slightly thicker glaze consistency helps it cling better. You can add a bit more powdered sugar if the glaze is too thin.
-
Can I bake these donuts without a donut pan?
Absolutely! You can use a muffin tin to make donut holes—or bake the batter in a cake pan and cut out circles once cooled. The baking time may vary, so keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick.
-
How long do these donuts last?
Stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, these donuts stay fresh for 2 days. Refrigerating extends their life to 4-5 days, but they’re best enjoyed fresh or frozen for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
My family goes crazy for this Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe every fall — it’s become our little seasonal tradition. I love how the cozy spices mingle with the sweet maple glaze, and honestly, baking these feels like hugging everyone in donut form. Give this recipe a try next time you want that warm, comforting pumpkin flavor without fuss, and I’m pretty sure these will become your new seasonal favorite too!
Print
Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 16 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Pumpkin Spice Donuts, perfectly baked to bring out the festive flavors of pumpkin and warm spices. Topped with a luscious spiced maple glaze, these donuts are an irresistible treat for the pumpkin season, combining the comfort of classic baking with seasonal flair.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 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
Wet Ingredients
- 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
Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups (195 g) powdered sugar
- 6 tbsp (90 ml) maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp ground pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan generously to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all purpose flour, ground pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir in the buttermilk and canned pumpkin puree until smooth and combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill Donut Pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan cavities, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake Donuts: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to maintain moistness.
- Cool Donuts: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and ground pumpkin pie spice until smooth and well combined.
- Glaze the Donuts: Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the spiced maple glaze or drizzle it over them using a spoon. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- These are the best pumpkin spice donuts! They’re extra moist, full of pumpkin spice flavor, and topped with a spiced maple glaze.
- For best results, use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Make sure all refrigerated ingredients like eggs and buttermilk are brought to room temperature before baking.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep donuts tender and fluffy.
- Use fresh pumpkin pie spice or make your own blend for the most vibrant flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
