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 other easy pumpkin dessert ideas for even more delicious recipes.
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 recipe 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 my Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Homemade Pumpkin Spice Cake, or my 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Bread. Yum!
Table of Contents
- How to Frost Donuts
- Is pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin puree the same thing?
- How do you store leftover pumpkin puree?
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 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.
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 sweetened and flavored with spices such as cinnamon, clove, allspice, and ginger. It’s an easy way to make pumpkin recipes with all the spices and sugar added.
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.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Donut Pan For BakingMore Information2-Pack Cooling Racks for BakingMore InformationIcing Piping Bags Disposable Pastry Bags – 200 Heavy DutyMore InformationTrader Joe's Pumpkin Pie SpiceMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
You can make your own Spice Cake Mix by adding 2 teaspoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice to a yellow cake mix.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, and eggs.
Step 2: 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.
Baking Instructions
Step 3: Bake the donuts for 10-15 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven until they spring back when pressed lightly with your finger.
Step 4: 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!
Before You Begin!
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Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: 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.
Freezer: Freeze the donuts by "flash freezing" them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. Then remove the donuts from the baking tray to an airtight container. Place a piece of parchment paper between the layers if necessary. The donuts will remain fresh in the freezer for up to two months.
Thaw and Reheat: 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. Warm them up in the microwave for 30 seconds right before enjoying with a cup of coffee!
More Recipes You'll Love!
- Check out my other recipe for Baked Chocolate Donuts from a Cake Mix.
- Or you might enjoy this recipe for S'mores Donuts or Applesauce Donuts.
📖 Recipe Card
Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs and melted butter.
- Mix until combined.
- Add the mixture to a plastic pastry bag.
- Twist the end of the bag and snip one corner with the kitchen scissors.
- Gently squeeze the batter into the wells of the donut pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray.
- Use a butter knife to spread the donut batter out smoothly.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one of the donuts comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool slightly before removing them from the pan.
- Stir the sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow bowl.
- Working one at a time, brush the donuts with the melted butter, then dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
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.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!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!
Me says
Oven temp would be good! I guess everyone else guesses the right temp! WTH?
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!
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 🙂
Bette Crocker says
Can I use butter pecan cake mix for these pumpkin donuts?
Lois says
Yes, any cake mix recipe will work. You'll have a different flavor, but still a delicious donut recipe!
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
Estelle Forrest says
This is such a creative use of a mix. Thanks for sharing SSPS, hope to see you again next week.
Barb says
Can you use pumpkin pie filling?
Lois says
I think you could. The taste will be different since pumpkin pie filling has extra spices included. Thank you for visiting!
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! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lois says
I'm glad you were able to make the recipe your own! Thanks for the great comment and for rating the recipe!
ColleenB.`Tx. says
I didn't see anywhere in the ingredients that water was added.
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!
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.
Amy says
How long to bake for the mini donuts?
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.
Joanne says
These sound so delicious and so easy!! Pinned.
Lois says
Thank you Joanne!
Fuji Sushi says
Thank you for sharing great recipe!
Dana@HAUS says
I made this cake for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful. Everyone loved it.
Joanne DiPalo says
I love pumpkin desserts. These look so delicious, I must give them a try.