• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop

The Worktop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Christmas Breakfast Ideas
  • All Breakfast Recipes
  • Easy Ideas
  • Brunch Ideas
  • Meet Tina
  • By Category
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home / Breakfast and Brunch Recipes / Breads and Muffins / Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze

    Oct 18, 2015 · Last Updated: Aug 4, 2018

    Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

    Sharing is caring!

    These melt-in-your-mouth Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze make the fall season one of the most spectacular time of the year. These donuts are a real crowd pleaser, though I just about finished the entire batch myself. 

    Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze - so comforting for fall! | The Worktop

    It's pumpkin time! Pumpkin is such a good ingredient to use for a breakfast recipes. Pumpkin breakfast recipes are delicious, and you get the extra nutrients from the pumpkin.

    You can find several pumpkin breakfast recipes on The Worktop, and my previous post for Farinata with Red Kuri Squash and Kale was little tease. The red kuri squash looked almost exactly like a pumpkin!

    These baked pumpkin donuts are super soft and tender, and packed full of favorite fall flavors

    But today, I want to talk about these Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts.

    Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze - so comforting for fall! | The Worktop

    These baked pumpkin donuts are super soft and tender and packed full of flavor. The pumpkin puree makes these donuts incredibly moist. Unlike yeast donuts, these baked pumpkin donuts aren't chewy or stretchy inside. Instead, once you bite into it, it will melt in your mouth.

    The brown butter glaze is a perfect finishing touch to this baked pumpkin donut recipe

    And oh, the glaze. The brown butter glaze adds a layer of sweet nuttiness that will make you lick your fingers and lips after each bite. You might actually even lick everything that the brown butter glaze touched - the spatula, the bowl used for dipping the donuts, the cooling rack or parchment paper it dripped on...

    Might as well just make a second batch of the brown butter glaze and drizzle it on everything you eat.

    Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze - so comforting for fall! | The Worktop

    This recipe calls for pumpkin spice mix. Don't fret if you don't have it! It's one of those spice mixes that I find hard to buy outside of the US. I used to bring jars of pumpkin spice mix from the US to London, but now I just always use a homemade pumpkin spice mix recipe.

    Are you looking for a pumpkin breakfast idea? These baked pumpkin donuts will hit the spot!

    Pumpkin spice mix is so easy to make on your own (and you don't even need pumpkin for it). If you have a stocked spice cupboard, then you'll likely have all of these spices at home already. You'll need: ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, and ground cloves.

    The full recipe for the homemade pumpkin spice mix is below, but essentially you just mix all the spices together. I tend to make a big jar and save it, but I've given you the recipe for the smallest portion that is easy to make (ie. the smallest quantity that you'll need to measure is ¼ teaspoon).

    The recipe for the pumpkin spice mix will still make double the amount of pumpkin spice mix that this Pumpkin Donut recipe requires, but you can easily use any leftover pumpkin spice mix up - in your yogurt, oatmeal, or even smoothie.

    Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze - so comforting for fall! | The Worktop

    Pumpkin is a great ingredient to use for breakfast recipes. Pumpkin is naturally mildly sweet, so this Baked Pumpkin Donut recipe has a bit less sugar that it otherwise would have needed. Pumpkin is also full of vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and carotenoids. And, it is also a good source of fiber.

    Pumpkin is full of vitamins and minerals, so it is a healthy ingredient to use in a breakfast recipe

    So all this goodness of the pumpkin is hidden in this Baked Pumpkin Donut recipe. Makes you feel a bit good about eating donuts.

    Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze - so comforting for fall! | The Worktop

    It's things like these melt-in-your-mouth Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze that makes the fall season one of the most spectacular time of the year. Though come winter, spring and summer, I think I'll still be making these Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts.

    Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze - so comforting for fall! | The Worktop

    Baked Mini Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze

    4.55 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Serves: 24 mini donuts
    Prep: 20 minutes mins
    Cook: 15 minutes mins
    Total: 35 minutes mins
    These melt-in-your-mouth Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze make the fall season one of the most spectacular time of the year. It's made with pumpkin puree, so you get the health benefits of pumpkin in this breakfast recipe. 

    Ingredients

    Pumpkin Donuts

    • ⅓ cup sunflower oil
    • 2 large eggs
    • ⅔ cups granulated sugar
    • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
    • 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice mix
    • 1 teaspoon quality vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

    Pumpkin Spice Mix (see note 1)

    • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon all spice
    • ¼ teaspoon cloves

    For the browned butter glaze

    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • ¼ cup whole milk
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Lightly grease mini donut pans with a bit of oil.
    • In a large bowl using a hand mixer on low speed, beat everything together except for the flour until well combined, about 30 seconds. Add in the flour and beat until just combined, about 30 seconds.
    • Carefully spoon the batter into the donut pans, filling each donut cavity about half full. If you prefer, you can use a piping bag, or a plastic ziplock bag with one corner cut off to pipe the batter into the donut pan. (see note 2).
    • Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the donuts are lightly golden. Let the donuts cool in the donut pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks to cool.

    Make the glaze

    • In a small saucepan over medium to medium-hight heat, melt the butter and cook, stirring often, until the butter becomes a light brown color, 5-8 minutes. Stir the butter often so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan and burn. Pour into a medium bowl and allow to slightly cool.
    • Mix in powdered sugar to make a paste. Slowly whisk in milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, occasionally whisking, to allow the glaze to slightly set.

    To serve

    • Place a cooling rack on top of paper towels or parchment paper for easy clean up.
    • Dip one side of the donut into the glaze. Flip the donut over using a fork. Carefully transfer the glazed donut to the prepared cooking rack. The glaze will slowly drip off the donuts as it sets. Repeat with remaining donuts. Lightly sprinkle on additional pumpkin pie spice.
    • If glaze thickens too much while you are dipping donuts, simply pop the glaze the microwave for about 5-10 seconds to melt it a bit. The thicker the glaze is when dipping, the thicker the glaze will be on the donut (you'll get a sweeter donut).

    Notes

    1. Pumpkin Spice Mix: You can use this recipe for pumpkin spice mix if you don't have any store bought pumpkin pie spice. This will make roughly double the amount that you need for this recipe.  You can scale down, or as I prefer, save the rest for another recipe. It is a bit tricky to scale down because you will need a ⅛ teaspoon measuring spoon. 
    2. Since it can be a bit tricky to neatly spoon the batter into a mini donut pan, my secret is to use a piping bag. You can either use a proper piping bag with a small round tip, or simply fill up a ziplock bag and cut off a small corner. Its much quicker than trying to spoon the batter into the donut pan, even including the time it would take you to wash the piping bag and tip (if you're not using a disposable bag).
    Baked Pumpkin Donuts adapted from King Arthur Flour.
     
    Course: Breads and Muffins, Breakfast, Donuts
    Author: The Worktop
    Cal : 147kcal
    Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
    Love this?I would appreciate a star review! Snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram using #theworktop and tagging me @theworktop.

    Looking for more pumpkin breakfast recipes?

    Pumpkin Greek Yogurt with Banana and Toasted Pecans | The Worktop

    Pumpkin Greek Yogurt with Banana and Toasted Pecans (GF)

    Roasted Pumpkin on Toast for a fall breakfast | The Worktop

    Roasted Pumpkin on Toast

    Hot Pumpkin Spice Drink - warming, comforting and so delicious! | The Worktop

    Hot Pumpkin Spice Drink

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles

    Baked Pumpkin Donut | Healthy Pumpkin Recipe | The Worktop

    « Farinata with Red Kuri Squash and Kale (Vegan, GF)
    Hot Pumpkin Spice Drink for Ultimate Coziness (GF, Vegan option) »

    By Tina Jui
    Filed Under: Breads and Muffins, Breakfast and Brunch Recipes, Collections, Cooking Style, Fall Breakfast Recipes, Kid Friendly, Lifestyle, Oven, Quick and Easy Brunches, Seasonal, Thanksgiving Breakfast Recipes, VegetarianTags: cinnamon, donuts, minis, pumpkin

    About Tina Jui

    A breakfast lover and food blogger. Tina develops everyday breakfast recipes on The Worktop, and writes about all things related to breakfast and brunch. Read more about Tina Jui or drop an email to say hi.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Diana says

      September 06, 2016 at 11:36 pm

      5 stars
      These donuts are absolutely beautiful! I'm so excited about the pumpkin season but have never baked any donuts because I don't own the donut baking pan. I need to just order one for myself! It's on my to do list!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        September 07, 2016 at 10:02 am

        Pumpkin season is just about here.. I cannot wait! A donut pan is one of my favorite pans. It's very versatile, and actually works with most muffin batter too.

        Reply
    2. Janette@CulinaryGinger.com says

      September 06, 2016 at 11:09 pm

      5 stars
      These donuts look so good and I'm drawn by the brown butter glaze. I need to make these asap.

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        September 07, 2016 at 10:00 am

        Thank you, Janette! The brown butter glaze is great on these donuts, and also anything else you can find in a snack cupboard ;)

        Reply
    3. Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival says

      September 06, 2016 at 11:03 pm

      Oh. I love this idea!! I'm putting a donut pan on my wishlist so I can make these! Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        September 06, 2016 at 11:15 pm

        Hi Beth - Ah, a donut pan is a must have for a kitchen ;) I'm always looking for an excuse to pull mine out to use!

        Reply
    4. Catherine says

      September 06, 2016 at 10:35 pm

      Dear Tina, what a wonderful way to welcome the Fall season! These look marvelous and I can only imagine how delicious they must smell baking. xo, Catherine

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        September 06, 2016 at 10:43 pm

        Thank you, Catherine. Yes the smell of pumpkin, brown butter, cinnamon... mmm! I can never get enough of it!

        Reply
    5. Platter Talk says

      September 06, 2016 at 10:25 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect for this time of year. Weekend project for the kids!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        September 06, 2016 at 10:42 pm

        Lucky kids! I hope they love them.

        Reply
    6. nazima, Franglais Kitchen says

      October 26, 2015 at 9:27 pm

      5 stars
      these look so pretty and I love pumpkin spice. Less easy to get in UK as you know so good to have a recipe to mix my own blend!
      Now here is the thing. I love donuts, never made them at home. If I made them I'd go for baked but how do baked compare with the fluffy, sweet, yeasty pillows of fried donuts. Has anyone tried baking yeasty donut dough - would it work???!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        October 30, 2015 at 7:12 am

        I love baking cake donuts - also known as old fashioned donuts. They always turn out fluffy and light. I've never tried baking yeast donuts, but apparently they turn out a bit like sweet dinner rolls. You can read more about it here. Cake donuts are really easy to make at home though, so give them a try! You'll love them!

        Reply
    7. Sara @ Life's Little Sweets says

      October 25, 2015 at 3:56 am

      5 stars
      Wow, these donuts look amazing, pinning to my pumpkin everything board!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        October 26, 2015 at 8:40 am

        Thanks for the pin, Sara! I'll be sure to check out your board for more pumpkin ideas!

        Reply
    8. GiGi Eats says

      October 20, 2015 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      I have HEART EYES right now! SWOONING so hard right now!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        October 21, 2015 at 10:50 am

        <3 <3 <3

        Reply
    9. Jonathan says

      October 20, 2015 at 2:43 am

      5 stars
      Treat or treat! You should find a way to package these and give these out instead of snickers bars. Do they even do Halloween in London?! Oh man, imagine snickers bars with some pumpkin cinnamon filling special!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        October 21, 2015 at 10:52 am

        You just gave me my new project :) I don't know about halloween in London, but I've been thinking about how to dress up the puppy!

        Reply
    10. Angela - Patisserie Makes Perfect says

      October 19, 2015 at 9:03 am

      These look amazing. Also, the pumpkin spice mix recipe looks so useful and as though it would work with lots of things!

      Looking forward to the next recipe you have up your sleeve!

      Reply
      • Tina Jui says

        October 19, 2015 at 5:54 pm

        Thanks, Angela! Yes, the pumpkin spice mix is so handy to have. I made myself a jar of it and have been sprinkling it on everything :)

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Hi, I'm Tina and a lover of breakfast! The Worktop is where I share my everyday breakfast recipes. You can find lots of breakfasts and brunch ideas on my site. Many of the recipes are easy to make and healthy, but of course, you'll also find big brunch indulgences.

    More about The Worktop →

    Popular Breakfast Recipes

    • Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole - Easy Recipe | The Worktop
      Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
    • Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk | The Worktop #breakfast #GF #vegan
      Overnight Chia Seed Pudding with Almond Milk (Vegan, GF)
    • Instant Pot Congee Chicken Rice Recipe | The Worktop
      Instant Pot Congee - Chicken and Rice
    • Glazed Donuts Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat
      Original Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Statement

    As Featured On

    The Worktop Featured On Banner - Taste of Home, Buzzfeed, Decor, The Bump, FeedFeed

    Stay Connected

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2013-2021 Rainbow Rice Ltd trading as The Worktop. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.