Irresistible Homemade Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze: Your Ultimate Fall Indulgence
Step into autumn with these utterly delicious Pumpkin Spice Donuts, perfectly complemented by a rich, sweet Maple Glaze and a sprinkle of toasted pecans. Each bite promises a delightful journey: a moist, tender interior yielding to a delicately crispy exterior, all enveloped in that irresistible maple sweetness. Prepare for a new favorite fall treat – a true celebration of seasonal flavors that will undoubtedly spark a delightful donut addiction!
For many, donuts are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a delicious weakness, a comfort food that evokes joy and nostalgia. I confess, donuts are my ultimate kryptonite. It’s a battle I consistently lose, especially when it comes to a batch of freshly made, warm, and fragrant donuts. My resolve crumbles with the first bite, leading to a blissful surrender where one donut quickly turns into an entire baker’s dozen disappearing before my very eyes. There’s something truly magical about them, a captivating blend of sweetness and texture that makes moderation a near-impossible feat.
When it comes to donuts, the debate between fried and baked often arises. While I’ve experimented with various baked recipes, like these delightful Healthy Mocha Donuts, which offer a guilt-free indulgence, nothing quite compares to the unparalleled texture and richness of a properly fried donut. The crispy, golden-brown crust that gives way to a soft, fluffy interior is a sensation that baked versions, while good in their own right, simply can’t replicate. If you’re striving for a healthier lifestyle and still crave a donut fix, baked options are a fantastic choice for everyday enjoyment. However, for those special occasions, for the pure, unadulterated joy of a classic donut experience, frying is the way to go.
As the holiday season swiftly approaches, bringing with it a sense of warmth, family gatherings, and well-deserved indulgence, we all deserve to live a little and treat ourselves. This is the perfect time to splurge on a batch of truly extraordinary homemade donuts. This particular recipe yields about six to seven generous Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze, making it manageable enough for a small gathering but tempting enough that you might want to double the batch! Sharing is, after all, a wonderful way to enjoy these treats without feeling like you’re devouring them all yourself. Invite a few family members or close friends over to help you make short work of these delicious autumnal delights. It’s a wonderful excuse to gather, share stories, and savor the flavors of the season together.
I can personally attest to the irresistible nature of these donuts. Take my dad, for instance. He managed to polish off an entire batch himself, leaving only the one I had reserved for quality control purposes! His love for donuts knows no bounds, and I frequently receive playful (and sometimes slightly demanding) text messages inquiring about the next batch: “Hey, you promised me more donuts. I don’t see more donuts. When am I getting my donuts?” His persistence is both endearing and a testament to how good these treats truly are. Eventually, his texts escalated to in-person badgering during a visit, leaving me with no choice but to don my apron and make him another batch just to ensure a moment of peace. And he’s quiet now… for the moment!
After that first glorious bite, I immediately knew these weren’t just for me. The idea of gifting them to others, or at least sharing them, became paramount. That’s how incredibly good they are. I completely understood my dad’s solo mission to devour the entire batch. Had I kept them solely for myself, I have no doubt I would have succumbed to the same delightful fate. These aren’t just good; they’re *that* good – the kind of good that makes you forget all about self-control and simply revel in the moment.
Despite their incredibly luxurious taste and impressive appearance, these big, fluffy, and perfectly crunchy-on-the-outside donuts are surprisingly simple to make at home. The dough comes together effortlessly in a single bowl, requiring just a few turns with a wooden spoon. There’s no complicated kneading or special equipment needed. After a mere 30 minutes of chilling time in the refrigerator – a crucial step that helps the dough firm up and become easier to handle – it’s ready for the magical transformation that occurs in hot oil. The process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding, transforming basic ingredients into a bakery-quality treat right in your own kitchen.
Of course, no homemade donut experience is truly complete without a luscious, sticky glaze generously drizzled over the top. For these pumpkin spice beauties, I’ve crafted a delightful maple glaze, which not only adds an extra layer of sweetness but also perfectly complements the warm, autumnal spices of the donut. But why stop there? To elevate these treats to absolute perfection, I’ve sprinkled them with finely chopped Diamond of California Pecans, toasted to a nutty, aromatic perfection. The toasted pecans add a wonderful textural contrast and an earthy undertone that balances the sweetness of the glaze, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. This combination is truly divine, promising an unparalleled homemade donut experience that will have everyone reaching for another. Get ready for a major donut addiction – you’ve been warned!
Creating these pumpkin spice donuts from scratch is an incredibly rewarding experience. The aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger filling your kitchen as they fry, followed by the sweet scent of maple as you glaze them, is pure autumnal bliss. It’s an activity that can be enjoyed solo for a moment of peace and culinary creativity, or turned into a fun family project, with little hands helping to mix the dough or sprinkle the pecans. The satisfaction of biting into a warm, homemade donut, knowing you crafted it with your own hands, is truly unmatched. This recipe isn’t just about making donuts; it’s about creating memories and savoring the simple pleasures of the season. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to embark on a delicious journey that culminates in the most exquisite pumpkin spice donuts you’ve ever tasted.
Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze
These homemade pumpkin spice donuts are wonderfully moist and tender on the inside, with a perfectly crispy exterior, all coated in a sweet maple glaze and sprinkled with crunchy, toasted pecans. An ideal treat for fall!
Yield: 6-7 donuts
Total Time: 44 minutes
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Ingredients:
Donuts
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup Diamond of California Pecans, finely chopped
Glaze
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Directions:
Donuts
- Begin by preparing your frying station: heat oil in a large cast iron skillet or a sturdy, heavy-bottomed pot to a precise 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Maintaining this temperature is key for perfectly fried donuts.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients for the donuts: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, pumpkin pie spice, and granulated sugar. Whisk them thoroughly to ensure even distribution. Create a well in the center of the dry mixture. Pour in the melted and cooled unsalted butter, buttermilk, large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Whisk gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Finally, fold in the pumpkin puree until it’s fully incorporated. The dough should have a slightly sticky consistency, but not be overly wet. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes. This chilling period is essential for making the dough easier to handle and preventing it from becoming too sticky during the cutting process.
- Once chilled, lightly flour your clean work surface. Turn the dough out and, using your hands or a rolling pin, gently press or roll the dough until it is about 1/2-inch thick. Using a donut cutter, cut out your donut shapes. You can re-roll the scraps once to get a few extra donuts, but avoid overworking the dough.
- Carefully drop the cut donut dough into the preheated hot oil, frying approximately 3 donuts at a time to avoid overcrowding the pan and dropping the oil temperature too much. Fry each side for about 1 minute, or until golden brown and puffed. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried donuts from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. Once slightly cooled but still warm, transfer them to a wire rack. While still warm, dip each donut into the prepared maple glaze. For an extra touch of flavor and texture, top immediately with finely chopped pecans. These donuts are best enjoyed the same day they are made, or gently warmed in the microwave if serving later.
Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Adjust the consistency by adding a tiny bit more milk if it’s too thick, or a touch more powdered sugar if it’s too thin.
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
Disclosure: This recipe was lovingly developed for the wonderful folks at Diamond of California. Rest assured, all opinions expressed are entirely my own. I truly appreciate your support for my recipes and this site as I continue to collaborate with brands I genuinely admire and enjoy working with.