Copycat Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donut Recipe

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Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donut is one of those seasonal delights that instantly transports you to all things magical about autumn. But what if I told you that you don’t have to wait for Dunkin’s fall menu to indulge in this treat? Yes, you can make it right in your own kitchen!

How to make a Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donut

The Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donut is a seasonal cake-style donut made with real pumpkin puree and warm autumn spices, then finished with a light glaze.

Ingredients

For the Donut Batter:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¾ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar added)
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Donut Batter

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). You can choose to bake these donuts for a healthier version or fry them for the classic taste.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until evenly blended.
3. Combine the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, sugars, buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
4. Bring it all together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—it can make the donuts dense.

Step 2: Shape & Cook the Donuts

For baked donuts:

1. Lightly grease a donut pan. Spoon the batter into the pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
2. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

For fried donuts:

1. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or Ziploc bag with the tip cut off—pipe circles onto lightly floured parchment paper to shape the donuts.
2. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop the donuts into the oil, frying each side for about 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Prepare the Glaze

1. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a pinch of cinnamon for added flavor, if desired.
2. Dip each donut into the glaze, coating the top evenly. Place the donuts back on the wire rack and allow the glaze to set for 10–15 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donuts

• Choose the Right Pumpkin: Use pure canned pumpkin puree—not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
• Don’t Skip the Spices: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves is what gives these donuts their signature fall flavor.
• Use Buttermilk for Moisture: The tangy richness of buttermilk helps keep the donuts tender and moist. If you don’t have buttermilk, combine regular milk with a teaspoon of vinegar as a substitute.
• Control the Frying Temperature: If you’re frying the donuts, use a thermometer to ensure your oil stays at 350°F to avoid overcooking or uneven browning.
• Customize the Glaze: For an extra fall twist, experiment with adding pumpkin spice or maple syrup to the glaze for more depth.

What to serve with

Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donuts are a delightful fall treat, bursting with warm, spiced pumpkin flavors that pair perfectly with other cozy seasonal goodies.

Classic Coffee Options:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte: A classic pairing to double down on the pumpkin love. Brew your favorite coffee and add steamed milk, pumpkin spice syrup, and a dollop of whipped cream.
• Maple Pecan Coffee: Sweet, nutty flavors of maple and pecans add richness that complements the donut’s pumpkin spices.
• Regular Black Coffee: If you’re a purist, a strong, unsweetened black coffee provides a perfect contrast to the sugary glaze and warm spices of the Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donut.

Other Drinks to Try:

• Chai Tea Latte: The bold, spiced flavors of chai tea mirror the cinnamon and nutmeg from the Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donut.
• Hot Apple Cider: Tangy, spiced apple cider is a quintessential fall beverage that pairs wonderfully with pumpkin desserts.
• Milk or Hot Chocolate: A kid-friendly option, warm milk (or hot chocolate) makes this treat even more comforting.

Ingredients Substitutes

Homemade Dunkin’ Pumpkin Donuts are all about cozy fall flavors, but you don’t always have the exact ingredients in your pantry—or you might need healthier or allergy-friendly alternatives.

1. Pumpkin Purée

Original Ingredient: ¾ cup canned pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

Substitutes:

• Homemade Pumpkin Purée: Roast or steam fresh pumpkin, then blend until smooth. Drain any excess liquid to avoid overly wet batter.
• Sweet Potato Purée: Cook and mash sweet potatoes to create a similar texture and sweetness. The flavor will be slightly different but still very fall-appropriate.
• Mashed Butternut Squash: Butternut squash has a mild sweetness and creamy texture like pumpkin, making it a great replacement.
• Mashed Banana or Applesauce: Use these if you’re out of pumpkin ingredients altogether. They’ll add moisture and sweetness, though the pumpkin-spice vibe will be less pronounced.

2. All-Purpose Flour

Original Ingredient: 2 cups all-purpose flour

Substitutes:

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend: For those avoiding gluten, use a store-bought 1:1 baking flour blend. Look for one with xanthan gum already included to mimic the structure regular flour provides.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Swap up to 50% of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour to make the donuts slightly denser and nuttier.
• Almond or Oat Flour (for Low-Carb or Gluten-Free): These work well but may require additional binding agents (e.g., 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum or an extra egg).

3. Baking Powder and Baking Soda

Original Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of baking soda

If you’re out of either leavening agent, here’s what you can do:

• Double the Baking Powder: If you don’t have baking soda, use an additional ½ teaspoon of baking powder.
• White Vinegar or Lemon Juice: If you don’t have baking powder, activate the baking soda by replacing an equal amount of buttermilk in the recipe with white vinegar or lemon juice. Use 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice for every 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

4. Buttermilk

Original Ingredient: ⅓ cup buttermilk

Substitutes:

• Milk + Acid: Make your buttermilk by adding 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to ⅓ cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it curdles.
• Plain Yogurt: Thin out the yogurt with a little milk or water to create a buttermilk-like consistency.
• Non-Dairy Milk + Acid: Use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.

5. Granulated Sugar

Original Ingredient: ½ cup granulated sugar

Substitutes:

• Brown Sugar: This will add a deeper molasses flavor to the donuts.
• Coconut Sugar: A natural sweetener with a caramel-like taste that works well in baked goods.
• Maple Syrup or Honey: Use ⅓ cup of syrup or honey for every ½ cup of sugar, but reduce other liquid ingredients slightly to balance the wetness.

6. Brown Sugar

Original Ingredient: ½ cup brown sugar

Substitutes:

• Granulated Sugar + Molasses: Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses to create a homemade brown sugar substitute.
• Coconut Sugar: Adds a similar depth of flavor, though it’s less moist than brown sugar.
• Maple Sugar: A pricier option but adds a rich, natural sweetness.

7. Eggs

Original Ingredient: 2 large eggs

Substitutes (for egg-free or vegan-friendly doughnuts):

• Flax Eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2½ tablespoons of water per egg. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens.
• Applesauce: Use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg.
• Mashed Banana: Use ¼ cup of mashed banana per egg for added moisture and sweetness.
• Unsweetened Yogurt or Non-Dairy Yogurt: Use ¼ cup per egg.

8. Unsalted Butter

Original Ingredient: ¼ cup melted unsalted butter

Substitutes:

• Vegetable or Canola Oil: Replace it 1:1 for butter. Oil makes the donuts even more moist.
• Coconut Oil: Melt and use 1:1 for butter. It adds a slight coconut flavor.
• Applesauce: Use 3 tablespoons of applesauce to replace ¼ cup of butter for a fat-free alternative.

9. Spices

Original Ingredients: A combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves

Substitutes:

• Pumpkin Spice Mix: If you have pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice, use 1 tablespoon of it in place of the individual spices.
• Cinnamon Only: If you’re low on other spices, cinnamon alone will still give the donuts a warm, spiced flavor.
• Allspice: Use it to replace cloves or nutmeg in a pinch.

10. Powdered Sugar (for the Glaze)

Original Ingredient: 1 cup powdered sugar

Substitutes:

• Homemade Powdered Sugar: Blend granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until finely powdered.
• Coconut Sugar Powder: Pulverize coconut sugar for an unrefined powdered sugar option.
• Skip the Glaze: Dust the donuts with cinnamon sugar or sprinkle with a mix of powdered sugar and cocoa powder instead.

Final Thoughts

With these ingredient swaps, you can adapt the recipe to suit your needs while still enjoying the irresistible warm flavors of Dunkin’s Pumpkin Donuts.

More Donuts Recipes:

• Dulce De Leche Cinnabon Delights Recipe
• Copycat Krispy Kreme Superhero Donuts Recipe
• Copycat Dunkin’ Star Spangled Donut Recipe