Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Oh heavenly days.

I have a donut pan. I bought it a few years ago - I just had to have it - and I think it's been used two times? Maybe?

Normally, I'm not a huge fan of single purpose kitchen gear but I made an exception for this pan. Because let's get real; how else can I make baked donuts at home? See! Completely necessary.

{and it costs less than $10 and is small and easy to store}

I had sorta forgotten about it until I came across this recipe and a lightbulb went off. Immediately, plans were in place to make these donuts happen.

It was a good plan.

These donuts are best served warm. If you can't eat the entire batch when they're fresh from the oven, just throw it in the microwave for a few seconds before chowing down. You'll thank me later.

{If you're watching your calories, you can sub the oil for applesauce like the original author did.}

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
For Donuts:
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup milk

For Coating:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat oven 350 F. Grease a donut pan and set aside.

In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt and spices together and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin, and milk until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the mixture and stir until just combined, taking care to avoid overmixing.

Carefully spoon the batter evenly around the circles of the donut rings. Fill each nearly to the top. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until donuts spring back when gently pressed. Turn donuts out onto a wire rack and allow to cool for a few minutes.

While the donuts are cooling, melt butter in one bowl and combine the sugar and cinnamon in another. When donuts are still hot, use a pastry brush to spread a thin layer of butter onto each donut before dipping each into the cinnamon sugar, turning and swirling to coat. Use your fingers to sprinkle the sugar more evenly if necessary. Serve immediately.

*Should make 12 donuts, but I only got 9 out of it...

Source: Can You Stay For Dinner?