The Best Fried Pumpkin Cake Donuts: An Easy Fall Recipe for a Cozy Breakfast

There’s an undeniable magic to a freshly fried cake donut, a warm, pillowy bite of pure comfort. And as the crisp air of autumn arrives, bringing with it the delightful aroma of pumpkin spice, these **Pumpkin Donuts** emerge as the quintessential fall treat. Imagine waking up on a leisurely weekend morning, the kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin, knowing that in just a short while, you’ll be enjoying these incredibly easy-to-make delights. They are truly the perfect embodiment of autumn indulgence.

Forget the drive-thru or store-bought imitations; nothing compares to the satisfaction of biting into a homemade donut, still warm from the fryer. These pumpkin cake donuts are not only bursting with authentic fall flavor but also surprisingly simple to prepare. So, pour yourself a generous mug of your favorite coffee, settle in, and get ready to create the most delicious pumpkin donuts you’ve ever tasted, right in your own kitchen.

Pumpkin Donuts stacked up with a donut hole on the side, in front of a cup of coffee in a pumpkin mug.

The beauty of homemade treats lies in the control you have over every ingredient, ensuring a superior flavor profile and a truly fresh experience. These donuts are a testament to that principle, offering a rich pumpkin taste perfectly balanced with warm spices. If you share my deep love for fall flavors, consider complementing these donuts with a batch of my Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer. It’s an effortless way to transform your morning coffee into a café-worthy pumpkin spice latte, creating a complete autumnal breakfast experience.

This post was originally published on October 5, 2019, and was updated on September 26, 2023, to provide enhanced details and improved readability.

Gather Your Simple Ingredients

One of the most appealing aspects of this Pumpkin Donut recipe is its remarkably straightforward ingredient list. You don’t need obscure items or a specialty grocery trip; just a few pantry staples come together to create something truly extraordinary. It’s always a delight when simplicity yields such amazing results, and these donuts are a perfect example.

While all ingredients are common, I highly recommend using my homemade pumpkin spice blend. Crafting your own spice mix ensures the freshest, most vibrant flavors, allowing you to customize the “spiciness” to your exact preference. This small step makes a significant difference, guaranteeing your donuts are perfectly aromatic and irresistibly seasoned.

Ingredients needed to make Pumpkin Donuts.

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delectable donuts:

**Eggs:** Provide structure and richness to the donut dough. Ensure they are at room temperature for better emulsification with other ingredients.
**Granulated Sugar:** Sweetens the donuts and contributes to their golden-brown crust.
**Unsalted Butter:** Adds incredible flavor and tender crumb. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content in the recipe. Make sure it’s very soft, almost melted, but not hot.
**Pumpkin Puree:** The star ingredient! This is 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar. It provides the signature flavor and moisture.
**Whole Milk:** Adds moisture and helps create a tender, rich dough. Room temperature milk mixes more easily.
**All-Purpose Flour:** The primary dry ingredient, giving structure to the cake donuts.
**Baking Powder:** The leavening agent that makes these cake donuts light and fluffy.
**Kosher Salt (Morton’s):** Enhances all the flavors in the donut and balances the sweetness.
**Pumpkin Spice:** The essential blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that defines fall baking. Use homemade for the best flavor!
**Peanut Oil:** My preferred oil for deep frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, ensuring your donuts taste like pumpkin, not oil.

For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or simply scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the full recipe card. This card includes all quantities and step-by-step guidance for perfect results every time.

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.

Crafting Your Delicious Pumpkin Donuts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making these pumpkin donuts is a joyful process, and while it involves a few steps, each one is straightforward and rewarding. Let’s walk through the method to achieve perfectly golden, spiced, and tender cake donuts.

Preparing the Dough

Begin by whisking together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and eggs. This initial step is crucial for creating a light and airy base for your donut dough. Ensure your butter is incredibly soft, almost at a melting point, but not hot. If it’s too warm, it could inadvertently cook the eggs, affecting the texture of your dough. Continue whisking until the mixture is beautifully creamy and well combined.

Next, gradually incorporate the pumpkin puree and whole milk into your mixture, beating until everything is thoroughly blended. Then, add the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and pumpkin spice – mixing just until a stiff batter begins to form. At this stage, the dough might appear somewhat loose or wet, falling somewhere between a loose batter and a firm dough. Don’t be alarmed or worry about how you’ll ever roll it out. This consistency is perfectly normal for now.

The magic happens during the chilling process. As the dough rests in the refrigerator, the butter will firm up, and the flour will continue to hydrate and absorb moisture. This will transform the dough into a much stiffer, more manageable consistency that’s ideal for rolling and cutting. Give it the full recommended chilling time, and you’ll be amazed at how well it comes together.

Starting the donut dough by whisking together the butter, sugar, and eggs.

Donut dough fully mixed ready to chill for 1 hour.

Rolling and Cutting the Donuts

Once your dough has had sufficient time to chill and firm up in the refrigerator (typically about an hour), it will be ready to roll. Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn out your dough. Roll it evenly to about ⅓ to ½ inch thick. For shaping, you’ll need two biscuit cutters: a larger one (around 3 inches) for the outer ring of the donut and a smaller one (about 1 inch) for the center hole. Dip your cutters in flour between each cut to prevent sticking.

Working efficiently is key during this stage. As soon as you cut out your donuts, gently transfer them into your preheated hot oil. This quick transfer prevents the dough from warming up too much, which can cause your perfectly round donuts to sag and become oval-shaped. Speed helps maintain their beautiful form and ensures an even fry.