Pumpkin Donut Holes Delight

These pumpkin donut holes bring a cozy fall feeling straight to your kitchen. Soft on the inside with just the right amount of spice, they make a perfect treat for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. Whether you are new to baking or a seasoned pro, these little bites are quick to make and always a hit.

I first baked these on a chilly autumn afternoon and they quickly became my go-to for sharing with friends. The aroma filling the house made me feel like I was wrapped in a warm blanket

Ingredients

• Three cups all-purpose flour: for structure and chewiness choose unbleached for best flavor and texture
• One cup sugar: to sweeten while balancing the pumpkin’s earthiness
• Two teaspoons baking powder: critical for those fluffy donut holes that are light, not dense
• Two teaspoons pumpkin pie spice: which blends cinnamon nutmeg clove and ginger to bring warm fall flavor
• One teaspoon salt: to enhance all the other flavors in the mix
• Half a cup buttermilk: adds tang and helps tenderize the dough
• One cup canned pumpkin puree: pick a good quality puree without additives for best taste
• One teaspoon vanilla extract: boosts the overall aroma and depth of sweetness
• One large egg: for binding and richness
• Two tablespoons unsalted butter: melted into the wet ingredients for a tender crumb and subtle richness
• For the topping
• Quarter cup unsalted butter: melted to help the cinnamon sugar stick perfectly
• Three quarters cup sugar: balanced with one tablespoon ground cinnamon for that iconic coating

Instructions

Scoop and prepare:

Preheat your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper so your donut holes won’t stick and cleanup is easier

Mix dry:

In a large mixing bowl combine all-purpose flour sugar baking powder pumpkin pie spice and salt. Stir these dry ingredients well to make sure baking powder and spices are evenly distributed

Combine wet:

In a separate bowl whisk together buttermilk pumpkin puree vanilla extract egg and melted butter until smooth and fully blended

Bring it together:

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until everything is mixed with no large pockets of flour remaining. Do not overmix or the donut holes could be tough. The batter will be thick and a bit sticky

Shape:

Lightly grease your hands with a little butter or oil and scoop one tablespoon portions of batter. Roll each scoop between your palms to form smooth balls. Space them two inches apart on your prepared baking sheets so they have room to puff up

Bake:

Place one baking sheet at a time in the oven. Bake for fourteen to fifteen minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the donut holes are golden around the edges

Cool and coat:

Let the donut holes cool on the sheet for about five minutes. While warm dip or brush each donut hole in melted butter then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated

Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients for baking because it adds moisture richness and a natural sweetness without any fuss. I remember making these with my kids on a rainy afternoon and how the kitchen smelled like a little festival of fall

Storage tips

These donut holes keep best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat briefly in the oven to bring back their soft texture

Ingredient substitutions

If you don’t have buttermilk swap in plain yogurt or milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice for that tangy effect. Use butter-flavored oil in place of unsalted butter for a dairy-free version. Pumpkin pie spice can be replaced with a mix of cinnamon nutmeg and ginger to taste

Serving suggestions

Serve slightly warm with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for breakfast. Pair with coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon snack. These are also delicious crumbled over vanilla ice cream for dessert

This simple pumpkin donut hole recipe brings delicious fall flavors to every bite. Enjoy making it as much as eating it.

FAQs about Recipes

→ What spices enhance the pumpkin flavor?

A blend of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon intensifies the warm, autumnal notes in the donut holes.

→ How do I achieve a moist texture?

Using pumpkin puree along with buttermilk helps keep the donut holes soft and tender inside.

→ Can these be baked without silicone mats?

Yes, parchment paper or greased baking sheets work well to prevent sticking during baking.

→ What's the best way to shape the dough balls?

Grease your hands lightly to scoop and smooth tablespoon-sized portions into round balls.

→ How should topping be applied?

After cooling slightly, roll the baked holes in melted butter then toss in cinnamon sugar for even coating.