Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Streusel: The Perfect Autumn Treat

Enjoy the taste of fall with this delicious recipe to make baked pumpkin donuts with a streusel topping that is the best fall treat.

More fall desserts you might want to try: Baked Apple Cider Donuts, Pumpkin Spice Cut Out Cookies, and Easy Peach Dump Cake.

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves begin to change color, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a batch of homemade Pumpkin Streusel Donuts. These delightful treats combine the rich flavors of pumpkin and warm spices with a crumbly, buttery streusel topping, making them the perfect companion to your morning coffee or an afternoon snack. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these donuts are easy to make and offer a taste of fall in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A Warm, Comforting Flavor Profile
One of the best things about these Pumpkin Streusel Donuts is their deep, warm flavor that perfectly captures the essence of autumn. The combination of pumpkin puree with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg creates a rich, aromatic base that is both comforting and satisfying.

The streusel topping, made with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, adds a delightful crunch and an extra layer of sweetness that complements the soft, moist donut. Each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will make you feel like you’re wrapped in a cozy blanket on a cool fall day.

Simple Yet Impressive
Despite their impressive appearance and complex flavor, these donuts are surprisingly easy to make. The recipe requires just a few simple steps, and the ingredients are likely already in your pantry. There’s no need for deep frying or fancy equipment; all you need is a donut mold and an oven to bake these beauties to perfection.

The streusel topping is a simple mixture of flour, brown sugar, and butter, yet it elevates the donuts to a whole new level of deliciousness. Whether you’re making these for a special occasion or just because, they’re sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Butter, melted
• Pumpkin puree
• Eggs
• Brown sugar

For the Streusel Topping:

• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Brown sugar
• Butter, melted

For the Glaze:

• Powdered sugar
• Milk

How to Make Pumpkin Streusel Donuts

Preparing the Donut Batter

Start by preheating your oven and greasing a donut mold to ensure the donuts don’t stick. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and spices. This mixture forms the base of your donut batter, with the cornstarch helping to create a light and tender texture.

In a separate, larger bowl, combine the wet ingredients: melted butter, pumpkin puree, eggs, and brown sugar. Mix these until they are fully incorporated and smooth. The pumpkin puree not only gives the donuts their signature flavor but also adds moisture, ensuring the donuts stay soft and fluffy.

Next, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding them in until just combined. The dough will be thick, which is exactly what you want for these baked donuts.

Once the dough is ready, transfer it to a piping bag with a large opening, which makes it easier to fill the donut molds evenly. Pipe the dough into the greased donut molds, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. This allows room for the donuts to rise as they bake.

Making the Streusel Topping

The streusel topping is what sets these donuts apart, adding a sweet, crunchy contrast to the soft cake beneath. In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, and melted butter. Stir these ingredients together until they form a crumbly mixture. This streusel should have a texture that allows you to press it together with your fingers, creating clumps that will adhere to the donut during baking.

Generously sprinkle the streusel over the top of the piped donut batter, lightly pressing it down to ensure it sticks. The more streusel, the better, as it will create a deliciously crispy topping that pairs perfectly with the soft, spiced donut.

Baking and Glazing the Donuts

Place the donuts in the preheated oven and bake until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, but they usually take about 10 to 12 minutes.

Once baked, remove the donuts from the oven and allow them to cool in the mold for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

While the donuts are cooling, you can prepare the simple glaze. In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with a bit of milk until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.

Once the donuts are fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top of each donut, letting it drip down the sides for a beautiful finish. If you prefer a more rustic look, you can glaze the donuts while they’re still warm, allowing the glaze to melt slightly into the streusel for an extra touch of sweetness.

Variations to Try

Add a Nutty Crunch

For a variation that adds both flavor and texture, consider incorporating nuts into the streusel topping. Chopped pecans or walnuts work wonderfully with the warm spices and pumpkin flavor. Simply mix the nuts into the streusel before sprinkling it over the donuts. This addition gives the donuts a delightful crunch and a slightly nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin and spice.

Spice It Up

If you’re a fan of bolder flavors, you can easily adjust the spice level in these donuts. Increase the amount of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in the batter for a spicier kick, or even add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for an extra layer of warmth. You can also experiment with adding a bit of cardamom or pumpkin pie spice to the glaze for a subtle twist on the classic flavor profile.

Maple Glaze

For a more autumnal flavor, swap out the milk in the glaze for pure maple syrup. This simple change gives the glaze a rich, maple flavor that complements the pumpkin and spices beautifully. The combination of maple and pumpkin is quintessentially fall, making these donuts even more seasonal and festive.

Chocolate Lovers

If you’re a chocolate fan, consider adding a chocolate twist to these donuts. You can mix some mini chocolate chips into the batter before piping it into the molds, or drizzle the finished donuts with a chocolate glaze instead of the traditional sugar glaze. To make a chocolate glaze, simply melt some chocolate with a bit of butter and drizzle it over the donuts for a decadent finish.

Storing and Making Ahead

Storing the Donuts

Pumpkin Streusel Donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The streusel topping may lose some of its crispness over time, so if you want to keep it crunchy, it’s best to store the donuts uncovered for the first few hours. If you need to keep them longer, consider freezing the donuts (without the glaze) for up to a month. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature and add the glaze before serving.

Making Ahead

These donuts can easily be made ahead of time, making them a great option for busy mornings or when you’re entertaining. You can prepare the donut batter and streusel topping the night before and store them separately in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply assemble and bake the donuts fresh, glazing them just before serving. This way, you’ll have warm, freshly baked donuts with minimal effort.

If you prefer to make the donuts completely ahead of time, bake and cool them as directed, but hold off on the glaze. Store the baked donuts in an airtight container, and when you’re ready to serve, warm them slightly in the oven and then add the glaze. This method ensures that the donuts taste fresh and the glaze doesn’t become too runny.

Common Questions About Pumpkin Donuts

Can I use canned pumpkin puree for these donuts?
Yes, canned pumpkin puree works perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure you’re using pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices that could alter the flavor and texture of the donuts.

Can I make these donuts without a donut mold?
If you don’t have a donut mold, you can still make this recipe by using a muffin tin instead. Simply pipe the batter into a greased muffin tin, filling each cavity about halfway. The donuts will have a slightly different shape, but they’ll still taste delicious. You can also try using a mini muffin tin for bite-sized pumpkin streusel donuts.

What if I don’t have all the spices listed?
If you’re missing one of the spices, you can still make these donuts. Cinnamon is the most essential spice in this recipe, so as long as you have that, your donuts will still have a warm, autumnal flavor. If you don’t have ginger or nutmeg, you can substitute with more cinnamon or use pumpkin pie spice if you have it on hand.

Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can make these donuts gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend that’s designed for baking, and make sure it includes a binding agent like xanthan gum to help the donuts hold together. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious and full of flavor.

Can I use a different topping instead of streusel?
If you’re not a fan of streusel or just want to try something different, there are plenty of other topping options. You can top the donuts with a simple cinnamon sugar mixture by brushing the warm donuts with melted butter and dipping them in a mix of cinnamon and sugar. Another option is to skip the streusel and just use the glaze, or add some sprinkles or chopped nuts on top of the glaze for added texture and flavor.

These Pumpkin Streusel Donuts are a must-try for any pumpkin lover. With their warm spices, sweet pumpkin flavor, and crunchy streusel topping, they’re the perfect treat to enjoy during the fall season. Whether you’re making them for breakfast, dessert, or a special occasion, they’re sure to become a new seasonal favorite in your home.

More Pumpkin recipes to try:

• Pumpkin Bundt Cake
• Pumpkin Icebox Cake
• Pumpkin S’more Cupcakes
• Pumpkin Mousse in Edible Cups

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