Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Lois · As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links · 21 Comments

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With just a few simple ingredients, you can effortlessly whip up a batch of these Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.

Made with pantry ingredients, they start out with a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree.

Check out all the othereasypumpkin dessertideas for even more delicious recipes.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (1)

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If you're looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious donuts at home, using a spice cake mix and a donut pan is a fantastic option.

With just a few simple steps, you can have freshly baked, perfectly spiced donuts that are sure to be a hit.

These pumpkin spice cake mix donuts recipes are simpler to make compared to the Pumpkin Glazed Donuts with Crumb Topping, which are also available on the blog.

I know you're going to love the taste but maybe you'll love how easy they are to make even more.

Looking for more Pumpkin Recipes?Try myPumpkin Coffee Cake,Homemade Pumpkin Spice Cake, or my2 Ingredient Pumpkin Bread. Yum!

Table of Contents
  • 👩‍🍳How to Frost Donuts
  • Helpful Kitchen Tools
  • Main Ingredients Needed
  • Step-by-Step Directions
  • Baking Instructions
  • Before You Begin!
  • 🍶Storage Tips
  • ❄️Freezing Tips
  • 🔁 Thawing and Reheating Tips
  • Recipe FAQ
  • 🌟Try these recipes next...
  • 📇Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments

👩‍🍳How to Frost Donuts

For this recipe, I chose to dip the baked, cooled cake mix donuts into melted butter and then a cinnamon/sugar mixture. Here are a few other ways you can frost the donuts:

  • The easiest way to frost donuts is to dip the top of each cooled donut into the prepared frosting.
  • Make sure you allow the excess to drip off by placing the frosted donuts on a wire rack to set.
  • You can also glaze the donuts by dipping the donuts in the prepared glaze or drizzling the glaze on top of the cooled donuts.
  • Another way to frost donuts is to fill a piping bag with the prepared frosting and pipe it onto the donuts in swirls, lines, or any other decorative shape you like.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (2)Donut Pan For BakingMore InformationPumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (3)2-Pack Cooling Racks for BakingMore InformationPumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (4)Icing Piping Bags Disposable Pastry Bags – 200 Heavy DutyMore InformationPumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (5)Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie SpiceMore Information

Main Ingredients Needed

This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (6)

Step-by-Step Directions

  • Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Step 2: In a bowl, mix together cake mix, pumpkin puree and eggs.
  • Step 3: Add the batter to a pastry bag and carefully fill the donut pan that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. You don't need to use a pastry tip.
Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (7)

Baking Instructions

  • Bake the donuts for 10-15 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven until they spring back when pressed lightly with your finger.
  • Once they've cooled enough to be removed from the pan, dip each donut in melted butter. Then dip the donut in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Easy and delicious!
Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (8)

Before You Begin!

If you make this recipe, pleaseleave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.

🍶Storage Tips

  • Before storing the donuts, make sure they have cooled down completely. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the donuts soggy.
  • Then place the donuts in an airtight container.
  • You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

❄️Freezing Tips

  • You can also freeze the donuts by "flash-freezing" them on a baking tray in the freezer for 30-60 minutes.
  • Then remove the donuts from the baking tray to an airtight container.
  • Place parchment paper between the layers of donuts if necessary.
  • The donuts will remain fresh in the freezer for up to two months.

🔁 Thawing and Reheating Tips

  • When you're ready to enjoy the donuts, remove them from the freezer to defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
  • They can also be defrosted at room temperature.
  • You can warm them up in the microwave for 30 seconds right before enjoying with a cup of coffee!

Recipe FAQ

Is pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin puree the same thing?

Pumpkin puree is just as the can says, it’s cooked, pureed pumpkin. Nothing has been added to it. On the other hand pumpkin pie filling is flavored with spices such as cinnamon, clove, allspice and ginger. There’s also sugar added to pumpkin pie filling. It’s an easy way to make pumpkin recipes with all the spices and sugar added.

Can you freeze homemade baked donuts?

Place the donuts on a baking tray that's been lined with parchment paper and then place the tray in the freezer to flash freeze the donuts for about 30 minutes.Remove the frozen donuts and place in a freezer safe container or plastic bag.You can freeze the donuts for up to 2 monthsThaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm up to your liking in the microwave.

How do you store leftover pumpkin puree?

Since this recipe calls for only ¾ cup of pumpkin puree, you will have leftovers from the 15 ounce size can. You can add the leftover pumpkin puree to ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Then remove the frozen cubes and place in a freezer safe bag.

🌟Try these recipes next...

  • Canned Biscuit Donuts
  • Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts
  • Chocolate Donuts from a Cake Mix with Sprinkles
  • Applesauce Donuts

Cake Mix Recipes Digital CookbookClick HERE to SAVE!

📇Recipe Card

Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (9)

Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts

Yield: 14 - 16 donuts

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Made with pantry ingredients, these pumpkin spice cake mix donuts start out with a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree.

Ingredients

For the Donuts

  • 1 box spice cake mix; 15.25 ounce size
  • ¾ cup canned pumpkin puree; NOT pumpkin pie filling
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter

For the Cinnamon/Sugar Topping

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs and melted butter.
  3. Mix until combined.
  4. Add the mixture to a plastic pastry bag.
  5. Twist the end of the bag and snip one corner with the kitchen scissors.
  6. Gently squeeze the batter into the wells of the donut pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray.
  7. Use a butter knife to spread the donut batter out smoothly.
  8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one of the donuts comes out clean.
  9. Let the donuts cool slightly before removing them from the pan.
  10. Stir the sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl.
  11. Working one at a time, brush the donuts with the melted butter, then dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
  12. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

FREEZING TIPS:

  • Place the donuts on a baking tray that's been lined with parchment paper and then place the tray in the freezer to flash freeze the donuts for about 30 minutes.
  • Remove the frozen donuts and place in a freezer safe container or plastic bag.
  • You can freeze the donuts for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm up to your liking in the microwave.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 228Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 301mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 24gProtein: 2g

The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.

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This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with updated information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Me says

    Oven temp would be good! I guess everyone else guesses the right temp! WTH?

    Reply

    • Lois says

      I updated the recipe card to show the oven temperature. Thank you for pointing out a mistake I made in such a kind way. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

      Reply

  2. Barbara Chapman says

    Lois, this recipe is sooo easy and amazing! I cannot wait to bake these on a weekend. I'll have to get some donut pans. I DO have bundt cake pans and could try those... YUM! Anyway, happy to share your post at this evening's Share Your Style #405 for you. <3 So love this recipe!!!

    Many fall hugs,
    Barb 🙂

    Reply

  3. Bette Crocker says

    Can I use butter pecan cake mix for these pumpkin donuts?

    Reply

    • Lois says

      Yes, any cake mix recipe will work. You'll have a different flavor, but still a delicious donut recipe!

      Reply

  4. Donna @ Modern on Monticello says

    I just know these are good by looking at them. Now you have convinced me to go buy a donut pan. Thanks for sharing the best recipes. This post will be a feature this week. #HomeMattersParty

    Reply

  5. Estelle Forrest says

    This is such a creative use of a mix. Thanks for sharing SSPS, hope to see you again next week.

    Reply

  6. Barb says

    Can you use pumpkin pie filling?

    Reply

    • Lois says

      I think you could. The taste will be different since pumpkin pie filling has extra spices included. Thank you for visiting!

      Reply

  7. Bonnie Jones says

    This recipe is quick and easy to follow. I did add an egg white to the two eggs, in the recipe. I also substituted Buttermilk for the water. This resulted in a lighter cake doughnut. Twas delicious. Thanks for the recipe. I already have plans to make these again soon! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Reply

    • Lois says

      I'm glad you were able to make the recipe your own! Thanks for the great comment and for rating the recipe!

      Reply

    • ColleenB.`Tx. says

      I didn't see anywhere in the ingredients that water was added.

      Reply

      • Lois says

        There is no water in the recipe. Do not follow Bonnie's ingredients. Follow the ingredients and instructions listed in the recipe card. Thank you!

        Reply

        • ColleenB.`Tx. says

          Thank You for clarifying the water situation 4 me.
          I wasn't going to make these until I knew for sure about all the ingredients. I have 4 donut pans so will be busy this upcoming week. I just may make some mini muffins as well; dipping the donuts & mini muffins in brown butter maple glaze / icing.
          Many thank for sharing all these wonderful recipes.

          Reply

  8. Amy says

    How long to bake for the mini donuts?

    Reply

    • Lois says

      I'm not really sure. I don't own a mini donut pan. The regular size donut pan takes 12 minutes, so you'd have to experiment and see.

      Reply

  9. Joanne says

    These sound so delicious and so easy!! Pinned.

    Reply

    • Lois says

      Thank you Joanne!

      Reply

  10. Fuji Sushi says

    Thank you for sharing great recipe!

    Reply

  11. Dana@HAUS says

    I made this cake for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful. Everyone loved it.

    Reply

  12. Joanne DiPalo says

    I love pumpkin desserts. These look so delicious, I must give them a try.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between fried donuts and cake donuts? ›

The Obvious Difference

Yeast doughnuts, as the name clearly spells out, are made from dough leavened with yeast (think brioche), whereas cake doughnuts are traditionally made from a kind of cake batter that uses a chemical leavener (i.e. baking powder or baking soda).

What is the difference between old fashioned and cake donuts? ›

While many early cookbooks included recipes for "old-fashioned donuts" that were made with yeast, the distinctive cake doughnuts sold in doughnut shops are made with chemical leavener and may have crisper texture compared to other styles of cake doughnuts.

Is it better to bake or fry doughnuts? ›

Baked doughnuts are smaller, baking powder driven and more compact. A typical fried glazed donut will be around 269 calories, while a baked donut will have much fewer. The difference is the fact that you won't be dealing with any extra fat from the oil from frying when you bake.

Are cake donuts better than regular donuts? ›

“A cake doughnut is much more tender,” says Talbot, “whereas a yeast doughnut has more chew.” In terms of seniority, the yeast doughnut came first. We know it's been around longer than the cake doughnut because yeast has been around many centuries longer than chemical leaveners.

Are Krispy Kreme donuts cake or yeast? ›

If you're eating a jelly- or a cream-filled doughnut, you are eating a yeast doughnut. Of course, the pinnacle of the yeast doughnut variety is the Original Glazed made by Krispy Kreme (more below). Cake doughnuts, on the other hand, are denser—dare we say, cakier—and better for dunking in your coffee.

Do baked donuts taste the same as fried? ›

No, baked donuts do not taste the same as fried donuts. The cooking method affects the texture, flavor, and appearance of the donuts.

Why do cake donuts taste different? ›

In terms of taste, it's easier to integrate additional flavorings into cake donut dough, while yeast donuts tend to rely more on glazes for extra flavor. It's also been suggested that because they're denser, cake donuts can hold a thicker glaze and toppings.

What is the new pumpkin spice cheesecake swirl donut? ›

A combination of two dessert favorites, the Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Swirl Doughnut features a Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed doughnut swirled with pumpkin buttercream icing and cream cheese icing. The doughnut is then topped with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar.

Why did Krispy Kreme stop making cream-filled donuts? ›

While it might seem strange that Krispy Kreme would discontinue one of its very first, classic doughnut makeups, this is exactly what happened. The Original Glazed Vanilla Kreme-filled was pushed to the side to make way for a newer, altered version of the same in 2019.

What is the filling in Krispy Kreme donuts? ›

The perfect combonation of a fluffy doughnut, light and smooth KREME™ filling then dipped in our classic chocolate icing.

What is the secret ingredient in Krispy Kreme donuts? ›

What is the secret to Krispy Kreme Donuts? The secret to Krispy Kreme doughnuts is of course the sweet glaze, and this is achieved by bathing the doughnuts in a glaze of icing sugar, vanilla extract and milk, for a thicker glaze increase the quantity of icing sugar by a few spoons.

What makes Krispy Kreme donuts so fluffy? ›

A batch of original glazed starts with Krispy Kreme doughnut mix, water and yeast, the same single-cell fungi used to make bread rise. The yeast is what makes the original glazed so light -- it puffs the dough up with air, so it's not dense like a cake doughnut (more on this later).

Does Krispy Kreme bake or fry their donuts? ›

Like most doughnuts, Krispy Kremes are fried (cooked in oil). Frying cooks the dough rapidly from the outside in to give the doughnuts their distinctive crispy texture. The conveyer belt carries the doughnuts through a vegetable oil bath heated to between 355 and 360 degrees Fahrenheit (about 180 C).

Are cake donuts healthier than fried donuts? ›

Yes, they definitely are. A typical fried glazed donut will be around 269 calories, while a baked donut will have much fewer. The difference is the fact that you won't be dealing with any extra fat from the oil from frying when you bake.

How are cake donuts different? ›

The use of baking powder (which includes baking soda) results in much smaller air pockets within the donut, so cake donuts are denser and can absorb more moisture (which is why some people claim they're better for dunking in coffee). They're softer and less chewy, too, sometimes with a very lightly crunchy exterior.

Is a cake donut fried or baked? ›

But while we often associate yeasted donuts with the deep fryer and cake donuts with the oven, cake donuts can actually be either baked or fried. And whether you fry your donuts in hot oil or bake them in the oven will have an impact on the mouthfeel and flavor of the donut.

Are Krispy Kreme cake donuts fried? ›

Like most doughnuts, Krispy Kremes are fried (cooked in oil). Frying cooks the dough rapidly from the outside in to give the doughnuts their distinctive crispy texture. The flipper turns the doughnuts over midway through the oil.

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