There’s something magical about fall — the crisp air, cozy sweaters, and the irresistible aroma of pumpkin spice. And when you mix all that into a donut that’s baked (not fried!) and topped with a silky maple glaze, you’ve got pure autumn perfection.
These Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze are not just soft and fluffy — they’re golden, aromatic, and filled with that comforting pumpkin flavor that makes you want to grab a blanket and a cup of coffee.
🍩 Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe
✔️ Healthier than Fried Donuts – You get the same soft, fluffy texture without the extra oil and calories.
✔️ Rich Fall Flavor – Made with pumpkin puree and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
✔️ Perfect Maple Glaze – Sweet, smooth, and buttery with natural maple syrup.
✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in under an hour with simple pantry ingredients.
✔️ Crowd Favorite – Great for parties, brunch, or cozy weekends at home.
🧁 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Donuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or mix cinnamon, nutmeg & ginger)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Maple Glaze
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- 1½ tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a donut pan with nonstick spray — this step ensures smooth release and perfect edges.
2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda. This ensures even flavor and a smooth texture.
3️⃣ Combine Butter & Sugar
In a mixer, beat melted butter and brown sugar for 2 minutes until creamy. This helps incorporate air for a light donut texture.
4️⃣ Add Wet Ingredients
Add eggs one at a time, then mix in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. Your batter should look silky and fragrant.
5️⃣ Combine Wet & Dry Mixtures
Add the dry ingredients slowly to the wet, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix — that’s the key to keeping donuts fluffy.
6️⃣ Fill the Donut Pan
Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity almost to the top. Smooth the tops gently with a spatula.
7️⃣ Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch. Let cool for 10 minutes before glazing.
🍁 Make the Maple Glaze (Game-Changer!)
In a small saucepan, simmer maple syrup over medium heat until slightly thickened (about 5 minutes). Whisk in butter, vanilla, and salt until melted. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar until smooth.
Dip the top of each donut into the glaze and place on a wire rack to set.
✨ Pro Tip: Double-dip for that glossy bakery-style finish!
🌟 Pro Tips for Perfect Donuts
✅ Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
✅ Avoid overmixing to prevent dense donuts.
✅ Glaze warm donuts for a more even coating.
✅ Add crunch by sprinkling chopped pecans or toasted coconut on top.
✅ Store properly: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
💡 Recipe Variations You’ll Love
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan Swap: Substitute eggs with flax eggs and butter with coconut oil.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Skip the glaze and toss warm donuts in cinnamon sugar for a crispy twist.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace maple glaze with tangy cream cheese icing for a dessert-like feel.
🍂 Serving Suggestions
Pair your baked pumpkin donuts with:
- A warm cup of chai latte ☕
- Caramel drizzle or whipped cream
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert nights 🍨
Perfect for Thanksgiving mornings, autumn brunches, or a cozy fall breakfast.
❌ Weak Points in Other Recipes (That This One Fixes!)
🔸 Too Dense: Most pumpkin donut recipes overmix the batter — ours stays fluffy by careful folding.
🔸 Overly Sweet: Balanced sweetness with natural maple syrup instead of heavy sugar frostings.
🔸 Dry Texture: Added moisture from pumpkin puree ensures softness.
🔸 Bland Flavor: Enhanced with warm spices & a touch of salt to elevate taste.
🔸 Limited Storage Tips: This recipe includes storage, freezing, and reheating methods.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Room Temp: Store in airtight container for 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Lasts up to 5 days — warm for 10 seconds before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months. Glaze after thawing.
💬 FAQs
Q: Can I make these without a donut pan?
Yes! Use a muffin tin for pumpkin donut muffins — just increase bake time by 3–4 minutes.
Q: Can I use fresh pumpkin?
Yes, just roast and puree your pumpkin, but make sure to remove excess water.
Q: How do I thicken the glaze?
Add more powdered sugar until you get your preferred consistency.
🏁 Conclusion
These Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze are the true taste of fall — soft, perfectly spiced, and irresistibly glazed with sweet maple flavor. Whether you serve them for brunch, dessert, or as a morning coffee companion, they’ll become your go-to autumn indulgence.
Try them once, and you’ll never crave store-bought donuts again! 🍂
