Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts

These pumpkin coffee cake donuts are soft, spiced, and full of cozy fall flavor. Each bite has that tender pumpkin crumb topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel that melts in your mouth. The aroma alone makes the whole kitchen feel warm and inviting.

I love how the pumpkin keeps the donuts moist and rich without feeling heavy. The crumb topping adds that perfect bit of crunch, and a light glaze makes them extra special. They’re like the best parts of coffee cake and donuts rolled into one.

They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. With a cup of coffee or tea, these donuts turn any chilly morning into a little moment of fall comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fall Comfort in Every Bite: Warm pumpkin spice and cinnamon streusel create the perfect autumn treat.
• Easy Baked Donuts: No deep frying needed—these donuts bake right in the oven.
• Perfect with Coffee: The coffee cake topping pairs wonderfully with your morning cup.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the batter the night before for fresh donuts in minutes.
• Crowd Pleaser: Great for weekend brunch, holiday gatherings, or gift-giving.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time: Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Total Time: About 30 minutes

Servings: This recipe makes 12 standard donuts. Need more for a crowd? The recipe doubles easily.

Difficulty: Easy enough for beginners but impressive enough for any occasion.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Donut pan (standard 6-cavity pan—you’ll need 2 pans or bake in batches)
• Mixing bowls (medium and small)
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Pastry brush (optional, for greasing pans)
• Wire cooling rack
• Piping bag or plastic bag (optional, for filling pan)

Ingredients

These pumpkin donuts use simple pantry staples and pure pumpkin puree to create a moist, flavorful treat. The streusel topping adds a sweet crunch, while the glaze brings everything together.

For the Donuts:

• Butter (softened, for moisture and richness)
• Sugar (granulated, for sweetness)
• Flour (all-purpose, for structure)
• Pumpkin spice (the warm blend that makes fall baking special)
• Brown sugar (adds depth and molasses notes)
• Salt (balances the sweetness)
• Baking powder (helps donuts rise and stay fluffy)
• Pumpkin puree (pure pumpkin, not pie filling)
• Milk (whole milk works best for tender donuts)
• Vanilla extract (enhances all the flavors)

For the Topping:

• Confectioners’ sugar (for a smooth, sweet glaze)
• Additional butter and brown sugar (for streusel topping)

Variations for Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts

• Add Cream Cheese Glaze: Mix cream cheese with confectioners’ sugar and milk for a tangy frosting.
• Use Maple Glaze: Replace vanilla in the glaze with maple extract for a maple-pumpkin flavor.
• Add Pecans: Mix chopped pecans into the streusel for extra crunch.
• Try Chai Spice: Swap pumpkin spice for chai spice blend for a different warm flavor.
• Make Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan and reduce baking time to 8-10 minutes.

How to Make Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your donut pan well with butter or cooking spray. This step is important so your donuts release easily after baking.

2. Make the Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, a bit of flour, and softened butter. Mix with a fork until crumbly. Set this aside while you make the donut batter.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin spice, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the spices distribute evenly throughout your donuts.

4. Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The mixture should be well blended with no lumps.

5. Make the Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your donuts tough. A few small lumps are fine.

6. Fill the Pan

Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. If you have a piping bag or plastic bag with the corner cut off, this makes filling the pan much easier and less messy.

7. Add the Streusel

Sprinkle the streusel topping over each donut before baking. Press it gently into the batter so it sticks during baking.

8. Bake

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The donuts are done when a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

9. Cool

Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

10. Make the Glaze

While the donuts cool, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, a splash of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be thick but pourable. Add more milk if needed to reach the right consistency.

11. Glaze the Donuts

Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze or drizzle it over with a spoon. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Serving and Decoration

These donuts are beautiful as is, but you can dress them up for special occasions. Serve them on a pretty platter with extra streusel sprinkled around. For fall gatherings, arrange them with mini pumpkins or autumn leaves. They taste wonderful slightly warm or at room temperature. Pair with hot coffee, spiced cider, or a pumpkin spice latte for the ultimate fall experience.

How to Serve Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts

These versatile treats work for many occasions:

• Breakfast or Brunch: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit for a complete morning meal.
• Afternoon Snack: Perfect with tea or coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up.
• Dessert: Warm slightly and serve with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
• Gift Giving: Package in a pretty box or tin for neighbors, teachers, or friends.
• Holiday Gatherings: Add to your Thanksgiving dessert spread or serve at fall birthday parties.

Storing Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The streusel may soften slightly but they’ll still taste delicious.
• Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature or warm slightly before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze unglazed donuts in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh glaze before serving.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Use Pure Pumpkin: Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added spices and sugar.
• Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter until just combined to keep your donuts tender and light.
• Grease Well: Take time to grease every crevice of your donut pan so they release easily.
• Test for Doneness: Start checking at 10 minutes since ovens vary. The tops should spring back when lightly touched.
• Cool Completely Before Glazing: If you glaze warm donuts, the glaze will melt and run off instead of setting nicely.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your butter, milk, and eggs come to room temperature for the smoothest batter.

Nutrition

Nutrient	Per Donut
Calories	185
Total Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	3.5g
Cholesterol	25mg
Sodium	150mg
Total Carbohydrates	31g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	18g
Protein	2g

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake Donuts FAQs

Can I make these without a donut pan?
Yes, you can use a muffin tin instead. Fill the cups halfway and bake for 15-18 minutes. You’ll have pumpkin coffee cake muffins instead of donuts.

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, but make sure to cook and puree it until very smooth. Canned pumpkin is more consistent and easier to work with.

Why are my donuts dense?
Overmixing the batter develops too much gluten, making donuts tough. Stir just until the ingredients come together.

Can I skip the streusel?
Absolutely. The donuts are delicious with just the glaze, or you can add a cinnamon-sugar coating instead.

How do I know when they’re done?
The tops should spring back when lightly pressed, and a toothpick inserted should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Can I make the batter ahead?
Yes, prepare the batter the night before and store covered in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before filling the pan and baking.