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Warm and Cozy Pumpkin Donuts

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A delightful pumpkin donut recipe that fills your kitchen with the warm aromas of fall, perfect for creating cherished memories with family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup warm milk (between 95-105°F)
  • 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3¼ cups all-purpose flour (fluffed, spooned, and leveled)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice (store-bought or homemade)
  • ⅔ cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar coating)
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • ¼ cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream (cold)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and pumpkin spice.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, egg, and softened butter. Fold in the frothy yeast mixture.
  4. Form the dough: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, stirring until combined.
  5. Knead the dough: Turn it onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  6. First rise: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about an hour until doubled in size.
  7. Shape the donuts: Punch the dough down, roll it out to ¾ inch thick, and cut out donuts.
  8. Second rise: Place cutouts on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about 30 minutes.
  9. Fry time: Heat oil to 350°F and fry donuts in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  10. Drain the donuts: Transfer to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain.
  11. Cinnamon sugar coating: Roll warm donuts in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon.
  12. Make the glaze: Beat together cream cheese, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and cold heavy cream until pourable.
  13. Glaze the donuts: Dip each donut in the glaze or drizzle over the top. Let glaze set before serving.

Notes

For a vegan version, substitute egg with a flax egg and use plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin donuts, fall recipe, cozy dessert, homemade donuts, autumn baking

Find it online: https://butteredtable.com/pumpkin-donuts/