If you’re looking for that perfect fall treat that’s both cozy and downright irresistible, I’ve got you covered with this Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe. I absolutely love how the warm spices in the donuts play so beautifully with that luscious, boozy caramel glaze—trust me, it’s a combo your taste buds won’t forget. Whether you’re hosting friends or just need a sweet pick-me-up, you’ll find this recipe becomes a total favorite in your kitchen. Ready to hear more? Let’s dive in!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Fall Flavors: The blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin pie spice captures everything cozy about autumn in every bite.
Decadent Bourbon Caramel Glaze: That glaze adds a smooth, rich sweetness with a wonderful bourbon kick that elevates these donuts to a whole new level.
Simple Yet Impressive: Even if you don’t bake much, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward and yields bakery-quality results.
Customizable Touches: From candied pepitas to glazing techniques, you can make these donuts uniquely yours.

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 donut recipe, boozy caramel glazed donuts, easy pumpkin donuts, cozy fall dessert recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe relies on classic pantry staples enhanced with pumpkin puree and aromatic spices, plus a few special touches like bourbon for the glaze. Having your ingredients fresh and ready will definitely help everything come together smoothly.

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 donut recipe, boozy caramel glazed donuts, easy pumpkin donuts, cozy fall dessert recipes

Sugar: Use granulated for both the donuts and the caramel; it melts beautifully for that perfect glaze texture.
Butter: Unsalted is best so you can control the saltiness, and trust me, browning it adds amazing nutty depth.
Eggs: They give structure and moisture, so room temperature eggs mix better for fluffy donuts.
Pumpkin Puree: Use canned or homemade—just make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: The secret seasoning blend that brings the donut’s warm spice profile to life.
Cinnamon and Ginger: These balance the sweetness with their warm and slightly spicy notes.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors so don’t skip it!
Baking Powder: Provides the light rise for tender cake-like donuts.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the batter for that soft texture.
Heavy Cream: Needed for the caramel glaze, making it rich and silky.
Bourbon: Adds a beautiful complexity and warmth to the glaze.
Pepitas (Optional): Roasted pumpkin seeds you can candy for a crunchy contrast.

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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 love experimenting with this Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe, especially during the holidays. You can easily tweak it to suit your mood or dietary preferences.

Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend once and the donuts still came out tender and delicious—just be gentle when mixing.
Spice Adjustments: Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves if you like your donuts extra festive, like I do around Christmas.
Non-Alcoholic Glaze: If bourbon isn’t your thing, substitute it with a splash of vanilla extract or apple cider for a family-friendly glaze.
Nut Toppings: Candied pecans make a great alternative to pepitas, adding crunch and buttery notes.

How to Make Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Make That Dreamy Bourbon Caramel Glaze

Start by heating your sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. This step demands your attention because sugar can quickly go from perfectly melted to burnt. I found swirling the pan gently from side to side instead of stirring works best to keep it even. When the sugar turns a rich amber color—think deep golden brown—you’re ready to remove from heat and whisk in the cubed butter and heavy cream. It will bubble up fiercely, but don’t panic; just whisk vigorously until smooth. Then, lower the heat, add your bourbon, and keep whisking for 2 more minutes to meld those flavors. Set this glaze aside to cool while you bake the donuts.

Step 2: Candied Pepitas for an Optional Crunch

If you want that little extra wow factor, I highly recommend making these candied pepitas. Heat 3 tablespoons of sugar in a nonstick skillet until it just starts melting (about 4 minutes), then toss in your roasted pepitas. Stir to coat them evenly, cooking until toasted and glossy. Finish by adding the remaining sugar to create a nice sugary crunch. Pour them out on parchment and let cool. Sprinkle these on top of your glazed donuts for texture and a nutty punch.

Step 3: Brown Your Butter to Maximize Flavor

This is my favorite part because browned butter makes everything better. Melt your butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat—watch closely as it bubbles and crackles, releasing those amazing nutty aromas. Stir gently with a wooden spoon and once it turns amber, pour it immediately into a heat-proof bowl to stop cooking. I learned the hard way that leaving it in the pan too long burns it, which you definitely want to avoid. Let your butter cool a bit before mixing into the batter.

Step 4: Mix the Donut Batter Gently

Next, combine your eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, spices, baking powder, salt, and cooled browned butter in a large bowl. Beat until everything is nicely blended and smooth. Then gently fold in your flour, just until the batter comes together — be careful not to overmix or your donuts could get tough. You want a soft, thick batter that’s easy to scoop but still holds its shape.

Step 5: Bake and Cool Your Donuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease two donut pans lightly with butter. Use a scant 1/4 cup of batter for each mold, filling about 3/4 full. Smooth the tops gently. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, checking with a cake tester for doneness—the tester should come out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before loosening them with a spoon and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Dip Into Bourbon Caramel Glory

Once your donuts are fully cooled, pour the caramel glaze into a shallow bowl. Dip each donut in the glaze, letting any excess drip off before setting them back on the cooling rack. If you made the candied pepitas, sprinkle them generously on top while the glaze is still wet. Stand back and get ready to enjoy some seriously special donuts!

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe

Watch the Sugar Like a Hawk: When making caramel, never take your eyes off it—sugar colors quickly and can burn in seconds.
Brown Butter Watch: Using a light pan helps you see the butter browning stage clearly; get it just right for that nutty flavor.
Don’t Overmix Donut Batter: Stir gently after adding flour to keep your donuts tender and fluffy, not dense.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and cream at room temp incorporate better, giving you a smoother batter and glaze.

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 donut recipe, boozy caramel glazed donuts, easy pumpkin donuts, cozy fall dessert recipes

Garnishes

I always top mine with those glossy candied pepitas—they add a satisfying crunch and a pop of color. If I’m in a pinch, I’ll sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the glaze to highlight the bourbon caramel’s depth. Sometimes a dusting of cinnamon sugar works wonders if you want a simple alternative.

Side Dishes

These donuts pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea, in my experience. For a cozy brunch vibe, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a creamy yogurt parfait with fresh fruit. My family enjoys this combo on lazy weekend mornings!

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive gathering, I’ve arranged these donuts on a tiered cake stand with little signs showing off the bourbon glaze and candied seed toppings. Another fun way is to pop them into cute paper bags tied with twine as party favors. If you want to impress guests further, drizzle extra glaze over the donuts on the plate and scatter some extra pepitas and a sprig of fresh rosemary for that autumn vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and you just might), store your donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I learned that refrigeration can dry them out quickly, so I avoid the fridge unless it’s very warm in the kitchen.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these donuts successfully by wrapping each individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, thaw them at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave for 20 seconds. The glaze holds up nicely, and they taste almost as fresh as the first day.

Reheating

To bring your donuts back to life, I pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes or warm one at a time in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. This keeps the texture soft and gives the glaze a freshly indulgent shine.

FAQs

Can I make these Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe without a donut pan?

Absolutely! While the donut pan gives you that classic shape and cooks evenly, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin to make pumpkin muffin cups instead. Just reduce baking time slightly and keep an eye on them so they stay moist.
Is it necessary to brown the butter for the donuts?

While it’s not mandatory, browning the butter adds a gorgeous nutty flavor that really makes the donuts special. If you’re short on time, melted butter works too, but try browning it at least once to taste the difference.
Can I substitute bourbon with another alcohol or omit it?

You can swap bourbon for whiskey, rum, or even a spiced liqueur to change the flavor profile. If you prefer an alcohol-free version, substitute bourbon with vanilla extract or apple cider—your glaze will still be deliciously rich.
How do I store these donuts so they stay fresh?

Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Avoid refrigeration since it tends to dry them out. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Donuts with Bourbon Caramel Glaze Recipe is one of those treats I happily make over and over because it never disappoints. The combination of cozy spices, that silky caramel glaze with bourbon’s warmth, and the option of candied pepitas creates a deliciously unforgettable donut experience. I’m confident that once you try it, you’ll be as hooked as my family and me. So, grab your donut pans, warm up that kitchen, and get ready to impress everyone with these fall flavors that taste like a hug!