If you’re craving a cozy, melt-in-your-mouth treat that sings of fall, then you’re in for a real delight with this Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe. I absolutely love how these donuts balance that warm pumpkin spice with a rich, boozy caramel glaze that feels fancy yet so comforting. Whether you’re making them for a special brunch or a weekend indulgence, you’ll find that these donuts quickly become a family favorite — trust me, mine gobble them up faster than I can glaze them!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Fall Flavors: The pumpkin, warm spices, and bourbon caramel all come together for that irresistible autumn vibe.
Moist & Tender Donuts: Thanks to browned butter and pumpkin puree, these donuts stay soft and flavorful every time.
Show-Stopping Glaze: The bourbon caramel glaze feels indulgent and just the right balance of sweet and boozy.
Fun & Versatile: You can easily skip the candied pepitas or swap bourbon for vanilla, making it your own.

The image shows several small round donuts with a shiny caramel glaze on the top layer, sitting on a black cooling rack. The caramel glaze is smooth and glossy, covering the top and sides of the donuts. On top of the caramel layer, there are scattered crunchy toppings made of light brown crumbles and green pumpkin seeds, adding texture and color contrast. The donuts have a golden brown base with a soft, slightly rough surface. The background has a white marbled texture that frames the cooling rack and donuts softly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze, fall pumpkin donuts, bourbon caramel glaze recipe, cozy autumn desserts, easy pumpkin donut recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to create donuts that are tender, richly spiced, and topped with a luscious bourbon caramel that you won’t forget. When shopping, aim for fresh pumpkin puree and good-quality bourbon — they really do make a difference.

Flat lay of a stick of butter softly melting in a simple white ceramic bowl, three whole brown eggs with smooth shells arranged side by side, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar crystals sparkling in natural light, a mound of fresh pumpkin puree with vibrant orange color on a white plate, a small white bowl holding warm amber-colored brown butter, two small white bowls with pale cream-colored heavy cream and golden amber bourbon side by side, a few dried orange-hued pumpkin pie spice leaves and sticks artistically scattered next to a small pile of light brown cinnamon sticks and yellowish ginger roots, a small white bowl containing fine white all-purpose flour, a simple white ceramic dish with roasted pepitas showcasing their glossy green shells, and a small white bowl of clear golden caramel glaze, all ingredients arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze, fall pumpkin donuts, bourbon caramel glaze recipe, cozy autumn desserts, easy pumpkin donut recipe

Sugar: Granulated sugar ensures the donuts and glaze have the right sweetness and texture.
Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt levels, plus browning it adds a gorgeous nutty flavor.
Heavy Cream: Essential for a creamy, silky caramel glaze.
Bourbon: Adds that unique warmth and depth to the caramel; you can substitute if needed.
Pumpkin Puree: Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for authentic flavor and ideal texture.
Eggs: They provide structure and moisture to the donuts.
Pumpkin Pie Spice & Cinnamon & Ginger: The trifecta of warming spices gives these donuts their classic fall character.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Baking Powder: Helps the donuts rise and stay light.
Flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly for the cake-like texture.
Pepitas (optional): Roasted pumpkin seeds for that addictive crunch and a little candied sweetness on top.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m a big fan of tweaking this recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m serving it to. It’s easy to make these pumpkins donuts your own and keep things fun!

Gluten-Free Option: I’ve swapped the flour for a gluten-free blend and the donuts still turn out soft and delicious.
Non-Alcoholic Glaze: If bourbon isn’t your thing, just use vanilla extract or skip it entirely—you’ll still get that luscious caramel flavor.
Spice Mix: Feel free to adjust the pumpkin pie spice or add nutmeg for extra warmth, especially if you like bolder flavors.
Nutty Crunch: Instead of pepitas, try chopped pecans or walnuts candied with sugar—they’re amazing on top!

How to Make Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Make That Dreamy Bourbon Caramel Glaze

Start by heating the sugar over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Here’s a trick: don’t stir with a spoon or whisk! Instead, just swirl the pan gently side-to-side so the sugar melts evenly and doesn’t burn. When the sugar turns into a rich amber color—think deep golden brown—take it off the heat and quickly add the cubed butter and heavy cream (be careful as it will bubble like a mini volcano). Whisk it smooth, then put it back on low heat, stir in the bourbon, and keep whisking gently for 2 minutes until luscious and glossy. Set it aside to cool while you get the donuts ready.

Step 2: Toast and Candy Those Pepitas (Optional but Oh-So-Good)

If you want that extra crunch, toss roasted pepitas in a hot skillet with 3 tablespoons of sugar. When the sugar starts melting (around 4 minutes), add the pepitas and give them a good toss to coat evenly. Let them toast and caramelize together, then stir in the last tablespoon of sugar before pouring them out on parchment to cool. I find this step really elevates the donuts — the combination of sweet, salty, and nutty is addictive!

Step 3: Brown Butter Perfection for Moist Donuts

Heat butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. It will melt, foam, then crackle—that’s the milk solids browning and it’s exactly what you want! Stir gently with a wooden spoon and watch for that beautiful amber color. As soon as it hits that point, pour it into a heat-proof bowl to stop it from burning. This browned butter is magic—it adds a deep, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.

Step 4: Mix & Bake Your Pumpkin Donuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F and butter two donut pans to keep your donuts from sticking. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking powder, and that heavenly browned butter together until smooth. Then gently fold in the flour, but don’t overmix — you want a tender crumb, not tough donuts.

Fill each donut mold about 3/4 full (a scant 1/4 cup batter each) and smooth the tops. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. After baking, let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before gently loosening and transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Glaze and Garnish

Once your donuts are cool to the touch, dip each one into the bourbon caramel glaze, letting the excess drip off before placing it back on the cooling rack over a parchment-lined tray (trust me, this setup makes cleanup a breeze). If you made candied pepitas, sprinkle them over the top while the glaze is still wet. The crunch and color contrast are so pretty, and they add that extra wow factor.

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe

Watch the Sugar Closely: I learned the hard way that sugar can go from perfect amber to burnt in seconds, so keep your eyes glued during the caramel step.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mixing just until combined keeps your donuts tender instead of dense.
Use a Light-Colored Pan for Browning Butter: It’s easier to see when the butter turns that perfect amber shade without burning.
Cool Donuts Before Glazing: Glazing warm donuts makes the caramel run right off, so be patient and let them reach room temp first.

How to Serve Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe

The image shows one brown donut with a shiny glaze, topped with some pumpkin seeds and crumb bits, placed on the right side of a white plate; to its left is a scoop of white ice cream melting slightly with amber syrup drizzled over it, and a spoon in front holds a bite of the donut covered in a mix of ice cream and syrup; in the background there is a white round cake stand holding more donuts with the same toppings, all set on a white marbled surface with scattered syrup drops and crumbs, a silver spoon, and a white mug visible; photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze, fall pumpkin donuts, bourbon caramel glaze recipe, cozy autumn desserts, easy pumpkin donut recipe

Garnishes

I stick with the candied pepitas because they add that perfect crunch and vibrant color contrast, but I’ve also sprinkled chopped toasted pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar—both are great options depending on your mood. If you want a little extra flair, a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the glaze adds a beautiful balance.

Side Dishes

These donuts pair amazingly with a hot cup of coffee or a spiced chai latte. For a brunch spread, I love serving them alongside whipped cream cheese or mascarpone and fresh fruit like sliced pears or apples. It turns the whole experience into a fall celebration on your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holiday gatherings, I arrange the donuts stacked on a pretty cake stand, drizzle extra caramel in a zigzag pattern on top, and scatter edible gold leaf for a touch of glam. Another fun idea is to fill mini donut boxes as favors for guests — they’re always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze stays nice and soft this way, and the donuts remain moist. If my house is warm, sometimes I refrigerate them but bring them back to room temp before serving to soften the caramel.

Freezing

Freeze them unglazed if possible — I wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge then warm gently before dipping in the caramel glaze freshly made or thawed. This keeps them tasting just as fresh!

Reheating

I like to warm leftover donuts in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Just be sure not to overheat, or you’ll lose that tender crumb. If glazed, a quick re-dip or drizzle of a little extra caramel glaze brings them right back to life.

FAQs

Can I make these pumpkin donuts without a donut pan?

Absolutely! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake this batter in a muffin tin for pumpkin muffin cupcakes or use a silicone donut mold. Just adjust the baking time slightly and watch for the toothpick test to ensure they’re cooked through.
What can I substitute for bourbon in the caramel glaze?

If you’d rather skip alcohol, vanilla extract is a great substitute that still enhances the caramel’s flavor. Simply add one to two teaspoons instead of bourbon, or leave it out completely for a classic caramel glaze.
How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan?

I always generously butter the donut pans before filling them with batter, and if you have it, lightly flour the pan afterward as an added non-stick layer. Letting donuts cool a few minutes before removing them also helps them release easily.
Can I prepare the batter in advance?

You can mix the batter up to a day ahead and keep it tightly covered in the fridge. Give it a gentle stir before scooping into the pans. Just note that baked donuts are best enjoyed fresh or the next day for that perfect texture.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe has become my go-to when I want to impress friends or simply treat myself to something special. The balance of moist pumpkin spice with that boozy, buttery caramel glaze is simply unforgettable. I encourage you to try it out, play with the toppings, and enjoy every bite — it’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect any time you need a little cozy indulgence. Happy baking, friend!