Vegan Pumpkin Donuts with Pumpkin Spice Sugar Coating or Maple Icing Recipe
Introduction
These vegan pumpkin donuts are a deliciously moist and flavorful treat, perfect for fall or any time you crave a spiced sweet. Easy to bake and topped with either a pumpkin spice sugar coating or a smooth maple icing, they’re sure to satisfy your donut cravings without any animal products.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose plain flour (spooned and leveled)
- 3/4 cup (145g) packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar or granulated sugar)
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 cup (200g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 3/4 cup (190g) dairy-free milk
- 1/3 cup (85g) neutral flavored oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for refined sugar free option) for sugar coating
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or ground cinnamon for cinnamon sugar coating)
- 2 cups (200g) powdered sugar / icing sugar (for maple icing)
- 2 tablespoons (45g) vegan butter or margarine (or solid coconut oil)
- 1 tablespoon (20g) maple syrup
- 1-2 tablespoons (30g) dairy-free milk (or as needed)
- Pinch of salt (for icing)
- Chopped pecans (to decorate, optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Generously grease and lightly flour your donut pan. If using a silicone pan, place it on a sturdy baking tray.
- Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients—flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt—and mix until no large lumps remain.
- Step 3: Add the pumpkin puree, dairy-free milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 4: Using a spoon or a piping bag with a large nozzle, divide the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan.
- Step 5: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the donuts cool completely in the pan, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack or tray.
- Step 7: For pumpkin spice sugar coating: Combine granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon) in a shallow bowl. Dip cooled donuts in the sugar mixture and enjoy immediately.
- Step 8: For maple icing: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt vegan butter with powdered sugar, maple syrup, dairy-free milk, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and the consistency of runny nut butter. Adjust thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Step 9: Dip the smooth sides of each cooled donut into the maple icing, allowing excess to drip off. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top right away. Let the icing set at room temperature before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use homemade pumpkin pie spice or store-bought for the best flavor balance.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep your donuts tender and light.
- To keep the sugar coating sticking well, gently press the donuts after dipping to help the sugar adhere better.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
- Experiment with adding chopped nuts or dairy-free chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
Storage
Store undecorated donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. Decorate with sugar coating or icing just before serving to prevent sogginess. When reheating, warm gently in the microwave or oven to keep them soft.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
No, canned pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sugars that can affect the taste and texture of the donuts. Use pure pumpkin puree for best results.
What can I substitute for the vegan butter in the maple icing?
You can use solid coconut oil or any plant-based margarine as a substitute. Melt them gently and use the same quantity to achieve a smooth icing consistency.
Print
Vegan Pumpkin Donuts with Pumpkin Spice Sugar Coating or Maple Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These vegan pumpkin donuts are a moist, spiced treat perfect for fall or any time you crave a delicious, plant-based baked good. Made with pumpkin puree, warming pumpkin pie spice, and dairy-free ingredients, they offer a delightful texture and flavor. You can enjoy them plain or decorate them with a spiced sugar coating or a rich maple icing topped with chopped pecans.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients for Donuts
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose plain flour (spooned and leveled)
- 3/4 cup (145g) packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar/granulated sugar)
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (see note 3 for homemade pumpkin spice)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Wet Ingredients for Donuts
- 1 cup (200g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling; see note 4 for homemade pumpkin puree)
- 3/4 cup (190g) dairy-free milk
- 1/3 cup (85g) neutral flavored oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Coating
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for refined sugar free option)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or ground cinnamon only for cinnamon sugar coating)
Maple Icing
- 2 cups (200g) powdered sugar / icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons (45g) vegan butter or margarine (or solid coconut oil)
- 1 tablespoon (20g) maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons (30g) dairy-free milk (or as needed)
- Pinch of salt
Optional Decoration
- Chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Generously grease and lightly flour a donut pan. If using a silicone pan, place it on a sturdy baking tray for stability.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients for the donuts – flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt. Mix well until no large lumps remain.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add pumpkin puree, dairy-free milk, neutral oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fill Donut Pan: Use a spoon or a piping bag with a large nozzle to evenly divide the batter into the prepared donut pan wells.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the donuts comes out clean.
- Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool completely in the pan before carefully inverting them onto a cooling rack or tray.
- Prepare Pumpkin Spice Sugar Coating (Option 1): Combine granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon) in a shallow bowl. Dip cooled donuts into the sugar mixture to coat. Serve immediately.
- Prepare Maple Icing (Option 2): In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt vegan butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, dairy-free milk, and a pinch of salt together. Stir constantly until the icing reaches the texture of runny nut butter. Adjust thickness by adding more milk to thin or powdered sugar to thicken.
- Ice Donuts: Dip the smooth side of each cooled donut into the maple icing, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately sprinkle chopped pecans over the icing. Let set at room temperature until dry to the touch.
- Serving and Storage: For best flavor, enjoy donuts the same day. Store undecorated donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day, refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month. Decorate before serving when stored.
Notes
- Use spooned and leveled flour to ensure accurate measurement and ideal texture.
- You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or granulated sugar depending on sweetness preference.
- Homemade pumpkin pie spice blends usually include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves for authentic flavor.
- Use pure pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling as the latter contains added sugars and spices.
- If sugar coating doesn’t stick well, you can lightly brush donuts with a bit of dairy-free milk or melted vegan butter before dipping.
- Maple icing will thicken substantially once it cools and sets; thin it appropriately before dipping.
- Donuts are baked, not fried, which makes them lighter and less greasy.
- Using a silicone donut pan requires placing it on a firm tray to prevent spills and maintain shape during baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: vegan pumpkin donuts, pumpkin spice donuts, baked donuts, dairy-free donuts, fall dessert, vegan dessert, pumpkin baking
