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    Meals » Recipes » Breakfast

    Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Oct 5, 2021 by Dee

    2 ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts are made with spice cake mix and pumpkin puree and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting. This easy baked donuts recipe is perfect for fall!  via @meamel

    2 ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts are made with spice cake mix and pumpkin puree and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting. This easy baked donuts recipe is perfect for the fall season!

    Jump to Recipe -
    baked pumpkin cake mix donuts with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles on platter
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Pumpkin Donuts with Spice Cake Mix
    • Cooking Time
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    If you're looking for spice cake mix recipes with pumpkin for an easy fall breakfast or brunch, you can't go wrong with these easy baked pumpkin donuts with spice cake mix!

    All you need is a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree. Enjoy them plain or top them with my favorite cream cheese frosting!

    2 ingredient recipes are the BEST, especially when you're short on time! I've made 2 ingredient bagels, cakes, cookies and muffins, and my daughter and I made these 2 ingredient donuts over the weekend.

    These pumpkin donuts are light and airy, unlike most baked donuts. They're not super sweet, either.

    Actually, the basic 2 ingredient donut recipe is Weight Watchers friendly. The cream cheese frosting? Not so much. But that's up to you.

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients to make baked pumpkin donuts with cream cheese frosting:

    • Spice cake mix
    • Pumpkin puree -- not pumpkin pie filling
    • Cream cheese 
    • Butter 
    • Vanilla extract
    • Powdered sugar
    • Cinnamon
    • Nutmeg
    • Pumpkin pie spice
    • Heavy cream

    You also need a donut pan. And, I highly recommend a piping bag for piping the donut batter into the pan, they should be easy to find at any grocery store.

    How to Make Pumpkin Donuts with Spice Cake Mix

    This delicious recipe is super easy--all you need to start is boxed cake mix, pumpkin puree, and a large bowl!

    Just mix the cake mix with the pumpkin puree in a medium bowl. Make sure you use a can of pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.

    mix spice cake mix with pumpkin puree for donuts

    Sometimes, we add some spices for extra flavor. It's just a personal preference since spice cake mix has plenty of flavor!

    It's not necessary, so if you want to keep this easy recipe to truly 2 ingredients, you can just leave them out.

    pipe cake mix into donut pan with piping bag

    Make sure to prepare the donut pan with nonstick baking spray or non stick cooking spray.

    Then, fill a piping bag with the cake batter, and pipe it into the donut pan. If you don't have piping bags, you can also use a plastic zip-top bag and snip off the corner.

    Or, spoon the batter into the prepared pan. The piping bag just makes it easier!

    mix ingredients for cream cheese frosting with hand mixer in mixing bowl

    Cooking Time

    Preheat the oven to 425F. Place the donut pan in the center of oven, and let the donuts cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are bouncy to the touch.

    After the donuts are done baking, you can get started on the frosting. Mix the cream cheese, butter and cream with some spices in a large mixing bowl.

    You can use an electric mixer or a stand mixer, just start off on low speed, and then gradually increase to medium speed or high speed, to avoid having the mix fly everywhere!

    Let the pumpkin donuts cool off on a wire rack, and when they are completely cool, go ahead and frost them. And add your favorite fall sprinkles to the top!

    Variations

    For less of a spice flavor, use yellow cake mix or chocolate cake mix. Most cake mixes will work just fine, but pumpkin spice mix is the best way to bring out the flavors of fall, of course!

    If you want to skip the cream cheese icing, you can dust cinnamon and sugar or brown sugar over the donuts, for a lighter topping.

    Use a mini donut pan to make mini pumpkin spice donuts, mix chocolate chips into the batter, or opt for Halloween themed sprinkles or fall sprinkles for a more festive feel.

    Have as much fun as you want with this sweet treat! It's perfect for the holiday season and one of our favorite recipes to make for Thanksgiving breakfast!

    2 ingredient pumpkin donuts with cream cheese frosting on a white plate with cloth pumpkins in the background

    How to Store

    I like to store the pumpkin donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator, to keep them nice and moist for next time.

    If you want to save them longer or make ahead of time, you can freeze the unfrosted donuts in a freezer safe container.

    They'll also be fine at room temperature--just keep them covered up!

    Recipe

    pumpkin spice cake mix donuts with cream cheese frosting and fall sprinkles on a white plate with cloth pumpkins

    Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts

    Published by Dee
    2 ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Donuts are made with cake mix and pumpkin puree and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for fall!
    5 from 9 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 401 kcal

    Equipment

    • donut pan
    • piping bag

    Ingredients
      

    For the Donuts

    • 1 box spice cake mix
    • 1 can pumpkin puree
    • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice optional
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg optional
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional

    For the Frosting

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • ½ cup butter softened
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • dash cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice
    • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 425 degrees
    • Spray donut pans with non stick baking spray
    • Mix cake mix and pumpkin puree and spices (if using) in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
    • Spoon batter into a piping bag or a gallon freezer storage bag, and cut the tip off of one corner
    • Pipe batter into each cavity about two-thirds full
    • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until donuts bounce back lightly when pressed
    • Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing to a baking rack to cool completely

    For the frosting

    • Cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth
    • Add in the vanilla and stir until fully combined
    • Gradually mix in the powdered sugar
    • Stir in the whipping cream
    • Add the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and nutmeg, and stir well
    • Spread frosting over the donuts and top with fall sprinkles

    Notes

    Add milk instead of whipping cream for a thinner frosting.
    For thick frosting, omit cream or milk.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 414mgPotassium: 246mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 6039IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Isn't it amazing what you can do with just cake pans, a box of cake mix and some pumpkin?!

    For more easy pumpkin recipes, pumpkin cake recipes and delicious recipes perfect for this time of year, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter!

    Recipe first posted in 2019 and updated last in 2021 for clarity.

    pumpkin spice cake mix donuts with cream cheese frosting and fall sprinkles on a white plate with cloth pumpkins
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Edna says

      November 09, 2021 at 11:00 am

      Making some grandma recipes super easy to make. These were a hit all the way around.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Annabelle says

      November 03, 2019 at 9:04 am

      These were a huge hit at a fall baking competition we had a work! Thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 03, 2019 at 11:27 am

        That's awesome! So happy you liked the recipe!

    3. Ann says

      October 15, 2019 at 11:32 am

      Love pumpkin season and everything pumpkin-y. I think these donuts would be great for chilly fall days. I got hungry just looking at them. And a cream cheese frosting is such a great accompaniment! Something makes me think that even those who may not love that pumpkin taste will love these. Wanna try to make them gluten free (hope this weekend). How would you recommend to wrap leftover donuts? And thank you for sharing this recipe Dee!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 15, 2019 at 6:36 pm

        We usually keep them on a plate and cover with plastic wrap in the fridge. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

    4. Jessica says

      September 12, 2019 at 7:02 pm

      These are totally my jam!5 stars

      Reply
    5. James says

      September 11, 2019 at 6:39 am

      Made these this past weekend. Super easy and yummy! Giant hit with the kids and anything is great with frosting on it!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 11, 2019 at 3:15 pm

        Awesome, James! Thanks so much!

    6. Michelle Goth says

      September 09, 2019 at 9:58 am

      These are so easy and just delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 10, 2019 at 7:20 am

        Thanks, Michelle! So glad you liked them!

    7. Jacque Hastert says

      September 06, 2019 at 7:32 am

      Breakfast has never been so easy! My daughter is going through the "I love everything pumpkin" phase. While I can't blame her... I can only make so much pumpkin. These were perfect for her and her friends today and helped keep my sanity with the simplicity of the use of cake mix. Thank you!

      Reply
    8. Beth Pierce says

      September 05, 2019 at 1:02 pm

      This will be the perfect way to start my day tomorrow; these looks delicious! Excited to give this a try!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 05, 2019 at 3:15 pm

        Thanks so much, Beth! Hope you enjoy them!

    9. Catalina says

      September 05, 2019 at 4:49 am

      I love how easy and delicious these donuts are!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 05, 2019 at 7:22 am

        They are super easy to make. Thanks so much!

    10. Dorothy Reinhold says

      September 04, 2019 at 5:56 pm

      Two ingredients?? This recipe is almost too good to be true! I can't wait to make a batch.

      Reply
    11. Amanda says

      September 04, 2019 at 4:45 pm

      Everyone I've ever made this for has absolutely loved them !5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 05, 2019 at 7:21 am

        Thanks! They really are so good!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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