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This donut hole recipe is baked instead of fried! Pumpkin donut holes are the perfect Fall treat!
Please, nobody throw things at me.
I know it’s still August, but I can not hold out another minute in the pumpkin department. I’ve been working on pumpkin recipes for a month now to be prepared for you guys this Fall, and I’m sorry. These are so good, I could not keep them from you another second. It would have been wrong.
I’m a total sucker for pumpkin donuts and pumpkin muffins, but I wanted to do something a little different this time around. I made baked donut holes instead!
These are a cross between a donut and a muffin and they are so divine.
Please, don’t expect something light and fluffy from these guys. I packed in as much pumpkin as I possibly could so that these would be dense and rich and fudgy. I like my pumpkin goods to remind me of pumpkin pie in both taste and texture!
Speaking of baked goods that are packed with pumpkin, please tell me that you’ve tried my pumpkin coffee cake. It has two full cans of pumpkin, a swirl of cinnamon sugar, and it’s topped with a crunchy streusel topping. It’s by far my most favorite pumpkin treat and the recipe I’m most proud of creating.
Anyway, back to these little pumpkin donuts. They’re baked instead of fried, because I know how much y’all hate frying things. I just bake these in a mini muffin tin to keep them small like donut holes. You can definitely use a regular muffin tin and call these muffins, but adjust your bake time as needed.
Don’t be freaked out by the fact that the entire donut hole gets bathed in a bowl of melted butter. It is divine. Be sure to use salted butter for that step, because the saltiness paired with the cinnamon sugar coating is outrageous.
The rich butter paired with the slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping gives these the taste of a fried donut. You’re going to love this recipe! You can also try my applesauce donut muffins, if you’re not quite ready to jump on the pumpkin train.
Pumpkin Donut Holes
Ingredients
- 1 cup softened butter divided
- 1 cup white sugar divided
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and pumpkin until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Fill the muffin wells 2/3 full. Bake for 17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out mostly clean. Do not overbake these as you're looking for a fudgy center.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before removing the muffins from the tin.
- Melt the remaining 1/2 cup of butter in a small bowl.
- Stir together the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and teaspoon of cinnamon and place in a second small bowl.
- Dunk each muffin in the butter and then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
If I could eat just donut hole for the rest of my life, it would be these! No doubt about it. I’m stoked for fall and all things pumpkin!!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
I’m at the stage where I’m beginning to get excited about all things pumpkin. These donut holes!! I think I’ll be going to bed tonight with dreams of their salted butter + cinnamon/sugar coating!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
Seriously OBSESSED! Bring on all the pumpkin, its my absolute favorite! These little bites look insanely delicious!
Jodi says
I have been dying to start making all things pumpkin. I could eat pumpkin anything year-round. I cannot wait to make these Karly! I’m afraid I will eat the entire batch. Thanks for another yummy recipe!
Natasha says
Uh oh… you’ve started the pumpkin wave. All your fault! ๐ These do look delicious though, so I’d say you’re forgiven.
Karly says
I’ll happily take the blame. I love pumpkin season!
Tori//Gringalicious says
Oh my, oh my, oh MY!!!!! These look like they’re everything I want in life and more. Yes please!!!
Joanne says
These are a perfect pumpkin treat! I can eat pumpkin all year long!
Karen says
Never too early for pumpkin recipes! ย I’ve been making pumpkin treats already since the beginning of July this summer. ย These look yummo!!
Katie Harris says
Oh, I can’t wait to make these! My son will be over the moon when I do–hopefully before the week is done. And I’m so glad these are baked; this is totally my speed.
Thank you so much!!
Julie Evink says
Bah haha… I saw this and went ohhhh she went THERE already! LOVE IT! These look so tasty!
Karly says
I couldn’t help myself! ๐
Erica Julson says
I feel you on the uncontrollable impulse to make fall recipes! I may or may not be roasting a chicken right now…ย
[PS these look d.i.v.i.n.e.]
averie @ averie cooks says
My first pumpkin recipe is Friday, glad you went first ๐ These look awesome and love that you used a whole can of pumpkin so there’s no partial can leftover to contend with!
Carlee says
Is there a way to get put on the wait list for becoming your neighbor? I’d be a happy taste tester for your creations! These look wonderful!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Give me all the pumpkin goodness! ย I’m ready for it!!! These little bite sized muffins would not last long around me!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Bring on the pumpkin! I know it’s still summer, but I’ve been working on a lot of pumpkin recipes, too. These donut holes look SO good! Wish I had them for breakfast today!
E. Villarreal says
When do you put in the nutmeg? It’s listed as an ingredients but not in the instructions.
Karly says
Sorry about that! It goes in with the flour.