These Mini Pumpkin Donuts are a delightful and easy-to-make fall treat. Made with a simple cake mix batter, they’re soft, fluffy, and bursting with pumpkin spice flavor. Perfect for a quick breakfast, a festive snack, or a fun addition to your holiday dessert table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy and Convenient: Using a cake mix makes these donuts incredibly easy to prepare, with minimal effort and ingredients.
Flavorful and Festive: The combination of pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon creates a warm and comforting flavor that’s perfect for fall.
Perfect for Sharing: Their mini size makes them ideal for sharing with friends and family, or for enjoying as a personal treat.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Mini Pumpkin Donuts:

Yellow cake mix: Use a standard 15.25-ounce box of yellow cake mix.
Pumpkin puree: Adds moisture and a delicious pumpkin flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds a touch of warmth and sweetness.
Pumpkin pie spice: Enhances the pumpkin flavor with a blend of warm spices.
Cinnamon: Adds another layer of warmth and spice.
Melted butter: Optional, for brushing the donuts and adding richness.
Cinnamon and sugar mixture: Optional, for coating the donuts.
Powdered sugar: Optional, for dusting the donuts.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Mini Pumpkin Donuts

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Mix with a stand mixer or a hand mixer until well combined and smooth.

Step 3: Fill the Muffin Tin

Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Fill each mini muffin cup about halfway with the batter. You can also use a spoon to fill the cups, but a piping bag makes it easier to control the amount of batter.

Step 4: Bake

Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Frost (Optional)

If desired, you can frost the donuts with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or a simple glaze. To frost with cinnamon sugar, brush the warm donuts with melted butter, then immediately dip them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. For a powdered sugar frosting, simply dust the tops of the donuts with powdered sugar.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Use room temperature ingredients: Room temperature eggs will blend more easily into the batter.
Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to tough donuts. Mix until just combined.
Don’t overbake: Overbaking will result in dry donuts. Bake just until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

How to Serve Mini Pumpkin Donuts

Breakfast or Brunch: These Mini Pumpkin Donuts are a delightful addition to any breakfast or brunch spread.
Snack: Enjoy them as a sweet and satisfying snack with a cup of coffee or tea.
Dessert: Serve them warm as a simple yet delicious dessert after a meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezing:

You can freeze the baked donuts for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer bag or an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature or reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

While yellow cake mix is a good base for this recipe, you can experiment with other flavors, such as spice cake mix or even chocolate cake mix.

Can I add other ingredients to the batter?

Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins to the batter.

Can I make these donuts without frosting?

Yes, the donuts are delicious on their own, but the frosting adds an extra layer of sweetness and flavor.

How can I make these donuts vegan?

You can try using vegan butter, egg substitutes, and plant-based milk, but the texture and results may vary.

There you have it! A simple, delicious, and easy-to-make recipe for Mini Pumpkin Donuts that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!