Pumpkin Donuts

Oh hello there little pumpkin pillows of fluffiness!

  

 No I'm not talking about you, tabby cat that creeps outside my window.

But yes I am definitely talking about you, delicious, scrumptious, I-want-to-eat-every-last-one-of-you donuts. (For the record, I did not eat every last one....alone)

Did I mention these fluffs were encased in a sugary maple glaze?? I know, I know...they just got so much better!

Did I also mention these were super easy??? (I suppose making your BF do all the work while I read instructions helps but hey some one has to do the hard job right?!)

Oh!Oh! (this is a good one!) Did I also mention they were semi-healthy, as in they are baked and not fried??(See you really can have your cake, er donuts, and eat them too!)

Pumpkin Donuts
Slightly Adapted from Cheeky Kitchen

3 1/2 c. of flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. sugar

6 tablespoons butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

3 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/3 c. maple syrup

splash of OJ (or milk)

To make the donuts, mix together the first 6 ingredients. In separate bowl,  combine the remaining ingredients. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until mixed. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 3/4" thick. Use a donut cutter or  follow my handy dandy method of using a biscuit cutter and then cut out the center with a bottle cap from a vodka bottle (alcohol has always inspired my creativity!). Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Do not over bake!!(or they might taste more like pumpkin hockey pucks!) While they are baking, whip up the glazing by mixing the powdered sugar with the maple syrup, vanilla and juice. As soon as the donuts come out of the oven, dip them in the glaze and let cool on a wire rack. 

*I chose to keep the centers as they make delicious little nuggets of pumpkin yum :) Just make sure you bake these separately for only about 5 minutes.