Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze

Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze are the ultimate fall treat — warm, cozy, and bursting with seasonal flavors. These soft, baked donuts are infused with pumpkin puree and aromatic pumpkin spice, then topped with a luscious maple cream cheese glaze that melts right into every bite. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a festive snack, they’re a sweet way to welcome autumn. Whether you serve them at a fall gathering, Halloween party, or Thanksgiving brunch, these donuts will be a crowd favorite and a beautiful addition to your holiday spread.

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk

For the Maple Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In another bowl, combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk until smooth.
4. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
5. Spoon batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag, snip the end, and pipe into donut pan molds (about ¾ full).
6. Bake for 12–14 minutes until donuts spring back when lightly pressed.
7. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
8. For glaze: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and enough milk to reach glaze consistency.
9. Dip cooled donuts into glaze and let set before serving.

Tips

• Don’t overmix the batter to keep donuts soft and fluffy.
• Use a piping bag for neat, evenly shaped donuts.
• Let donuts cool completely before glazing, or the glaze may slide off.
• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top of the glaze for extra flair.

Variations & Substitutions

• Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan and reduce baking time by 3–4 minutes.
• Frosting Alternative: Skip the glaze and roll warm donuts in cinnamon sugar instead.
• Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for crunch.
• Lighter Version: Substitute Greek yogurt for some of the oil..

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with hot coffee, apple cider, or chai tea.
• Add to a fall dessert table alongside pumpkin pie and apple crisp.
• Enjoy as a Halloween party treat or Thanksgiving brunch item.
• Wrap individually and gift to friends or neighbors.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect balance of pumpkin spice and maple sweetness.
• Soft, fluffy baked donuts that are healthier than fried.
• Easy to prepare with pantry-friendly ingredients.
• A festive fall treat that’s as beautiful as it is tasty.