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Vegan Pumpkin Donuts with Pumpkin Spice Sugar Coating or Maple Icing Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 122 reviews
  • Author: Lana
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the donuts comes out clean.
  6. Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool completely in the pan before carefully inverting them onto a cooling rack or tray.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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

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Find it online: https://mealsbylana.com/vegan-pumpkin-donuts-with-pumpkin-spice-sugar-coating-or-maple-icing-recipe/