Tired of all those healthy pumpkin muffin recipes? Then try this great frosted pumpkin doughnut recipe! Whether for a casual Halloween party, or fancy autumn brunch, these pumpkin doughnuts will impress.
Makes 24 Pumpkin Doughnuts
Makes 24 Pumpkin Doughnuts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- canola oil for frying
- .
- Pumpkin frosting:
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
Preparation:
To make the doughnuts: whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until blended (mixture will be grainy). Beat in egg, then yolks and vanilla. Gradually beat in buttermilk; fold in pumpkin in 4 additions. Cover with plastic and chill 3 hours.
Sprinkle a baking sheet lightly with flour. Press out part of the dough on floured surface to 1/2 to 2/3 inch thickness. Using 2 1/2 inch diameter round cutter, cut out dough rounds until all dough is used. Using 1-inch-diameter round cutter, cut out center of each dough round to make doughnuts and doughnut holes. Toward the end of making the doughnuts, I simply formed them into rough patties by hand and poked out the hole with my thumb.
Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet (for draining the doughnuts). Pour oil into large deep skillet to depth of 1 1/2 inches (or fire up your deep fryer). Attach deep-fry thermometer and heat oil to 365 F to 370 F. fry doughnut holes in batches until golden brown, turning occasionally, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the cooling rack to drain. Fry doughnuts, 2 or 3 at a time, until golden brown, adjusting heat to maintain temperature, about 1 minute per side. Using slotted spoon, transfer doughnuts to cooling rack. Give the doughnuts and holes a pat with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Make the frosting: soften the cream cheese in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Blend in the pumpkin, butter, orange juice, zest and vanilla in a mixer or by hand. Add the sugar and beat until light and creamy. Spread on doughnuts or just dip the doughnuts and holes right into the frosting as you eat.
Sprinkle a baking sheet lightly with flour. Press out part of the dough on floured surface to 1/2 to 2/3 inch thickness. Using 2 1/2 inch diameter round cutter, cut out dough rounds until all dough is used. Using 1-inch-diameter round cutter, cut out center of each dough round to make doughnuts and doughnut holes. Toward the end of making the doughnuts, I simply formed them into rough patties by hand and poked out the hole with my thumb.
Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet (for draining the doughnuts). Pour oil into large deep skillet to depth of 1 1/2 inches (or fire up your deep fryer). Attach deep-fry thermometer and heat oil to 365 F to 370 F. fry doughnut holes in batches until golden brown, turning occasionally, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the cooling rack to drain. Fry doughnuts, 2 or 3 at a time, until golden brown, adjusting heat to maintain temperature, about 1 minute per side. Using slotted spoon, transfer doughnuts to cooling rack. Give the doughnuts and holes a pat with a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Make the frosting: soften the cream cheese in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Blend in the pumpkin, butter, orange juice, zest and vanilla in a mixer or by hand. Add the sugar and beat until light and creamy. Spread on doughnuts or just dip the doughnuts and holes right into the frosting as you eat.
