Pumpkin Doughnuts

I'll tell you a secret about musicians....we are suckers for free food. I think it hearkens back to our college days when we played gigs in exchange for food. It was how we got people for our own performances. "Can you play in this recital for me? I can't pay you, but I'll make you cookies/cupcakes/dinner!"


This is why I was happy when Hubs agreed to play a 5-week concert series for school kids - two morning performances with a short break in between. Perfect time for a mid-morning snack! I've been baking goodies for the musicians. By far, these pumpkin doughnuts have been the most popular.


This is one of the fastest recipes I've posted since making the food. I have seen these doughnuts on not one, not two, but three of my favorite blogs. I decided to go straight to the original source for the recipe. The dough was extremely sticky, so I had to use more flour than usual. Next time, I may knead a little bit of flour into the dough before cutting them.


I saved some of the doughnut holes for myself and family. They were so addictive, I ate six of them before I realized it.



Pumpkin Doughnuts
adapted from Bon Appetit magazine
October 2004


Doughnuts:
3 ½ cups all purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ easpoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ c buttermilk
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
Canola oil (for deep-frying)


Spiced Sugar:
1 c sugar
4 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp nutmeg


Whisk first 8 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until blended (mixture will be grainy). Beat in egg, then yolks and vanilla. Gradually beat in buttermilk; beat in pumpkin in 4 additions. Using rubber spatula, fold in dry ingredients in 4 additions, blending gently after each addition. Cover with plastic; chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight.

Combine the ingredients for the spiced sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Sprinkle 2 rimmed baking sheets lightly with flour. Press out ½ of dough on a well floured surface to 1/2- to 2/3-inch thickness. Using a round cutter, cut out dough rounds. Arrange on sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Gather dough scraps. Press out dough and cut out more dough rounds until all dough is used.

Using a small round cutter, cut out center of each dough round to make doughnuts and doughnut holes.

Line a few wire racks with paper towels. Pour oil into large deep skillet to depth of 1 1/2 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer and heat oil to 370°F to 380°F. Fry doughnut holes in batches until golden brown, turning once about 1-2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Fry doughnuts in batches, keeping enough space for the doughnuts to move around, until golden brown, adjusting heat to maintain temperature, about 1 minute per side. Using slotted spoon, transfer doughnuts to paper towels to drain. While the doughnuts are still slightly warm, toss them in the spiced sugar. Let cool before serving.