Irresistible Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts with Decadent Cardamom Crumble Topping: Your Ultimate Fall Treat
As the leaves begin to turn vibrant hues and a refreshing crispness fills the air, there’s a comforting ritual that calls us back to the kitchen: fall baking. This season is a delightful symphony of warm spices, earthy ingredients, and cozy flavors that truly awaken the senses. Among the most cherished autumnal treats, the humble doughnut takes on a glorious transformation when infused with the rich sweetness of pumpkin and crowned with an exquisite cardamom crumble. Forget the deep fryer; these **baked pumpkin doughnuts** are not only tender and moist but also utterly irresistible – perfect for a cozy morning breakfast or an afternoon indulgence with a cup of coffee.
Confession time: I harbor a profound, year-round love affair with cardamom. While this enchanting spice subtly weaves its magic into my spring and summer creations, it truly takes center stage during the cooler months of October, November, and December. The moment I can justify donning a chunky sweater, cardamom instantly becomes my go-to flavor enhancer. It’s become a running joke among my friends, as I’m constantly pondering, “What else can I elevate with a touch of cardamom?” From a vibrant lemon ricotta bundt cake I shared earlier this summer to these autumn-inspired delights, my enthusiasm for this aromatic spice knows no bounds. And honestly, who could blame me when it results in something as spectacular as this cardamom crumble? It’s a flavor profile that simply demands a permanent place in my pantry, and perhaps, in yours too.
This post is in partnership with Intel Tablets.
While my heart beats strongly for cardamom, I’m equally thrilled to welcome pumpkin back into my culinary adventures. It typically takes a few weeks into fall for me to fully embrace pumpkin in the kitchen, but when it serves as the perfect canvas for my favorite seasonal spices – cinnamon, allspice, and, of course, a generous hand of cardamom – I’m absolutely all in. These **baked pumpkin doughnuts** strike that perfect balance, offering a delightful twist on a classic treat. Baking them rather than frying ensures a lighter texture and a far simpler cleanup, making them an accessible and enjoyable project for any home baker. If you’re not yet a cardamom enthusiast, I sincerely hope you’ll be won over by the comforting essence of pumpkin. And let’s be real, who can truly say no to a doughnut, especially one this fluffy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make?
The Art of the Perfect Baked Doughnut
Creating the ideal baked doughnut is a deeply rewarding experience. Unlike their often-greasy fried counterparts, baked doughnuts are typically cake-like, offering a wonderfully tender crumb and a significantly less oily finish. Our recipe meticulously focuses on achieving that coveted moist and airy texture, largely thanks to the strategic addition of pure pumpkin puree. This essential ingredient not only imparts a lovely autumnal flavor but also contributes significantly to the doughnut’s delicate, pillowy structure. The inherent beauty of baking these treats also lies in its inherent simplicity – there’s no hot oil to manage, just a simple doughnut pan and a preheated oven. This makes them an excellent choice for a quick, comforting breakfast, a delightful addition to a weekend brunch, or a satisfying dessert without the usual fuss and mess associated with traditional frying.
Beyond the Recipe: Staying Organized in a Busy Kitchen
Beyond my unwavering passion for baking and creating delicious recipes, I’m constantly striving for better organization and deeper, more meaningful connection with all of you, my cherished readers. As a food blogger and content creator, my days are a dynamic and often happy chaotic blur of creative tasks and practical necessities. Picture this: I’m simultaneously recipe testing new ideas, meticulously capturing mouth-watering photographs, engaging with my community on social media, managing an overflowing inbox of emails, writing detailed and engaging blog posts, tackling the never-ending pile of dirty dishes (admittedly, my least favorite part!), and spending hours on intricate photo editing – all while trying to keep everything seamlessly organized and on schedule. For years, I clung religiously to my trusty paper and pen, convinced it was the most intuitive and reliable way to jot down new recipe ideas, ingredient lists, and testing notes. However, I can’t count the numerous times I’ve meticulously developed a recipe, only to misplace the specific notebook or stray sheet of paper, leading to frustrating delays and lost inspiration. Those lost recipes were truly unhappy days in my creative process.
This ongoing challenge with organization and workflow is precisely why I was genuinely excited to partner with **Intel Tablets** for today’s recipe feature and get the invaluable opportunity to put the new **Microsoft Surface 3 tablet** to the test in my bustling kitchen environment. Initially, I’ll admit, I was quite skeptical. Could a digital device truly replace my beloved physical notepad and pen, which had been my constant companions for so long? My current “system” of scattered notes and misplaced ideas clearly wasn’t cutting it anymore, so I decided it was time to embrace a potential upgrade. What I discovered, much to my surprise and delight, was an absolute game-changer for my workflow, organization, and ultimately, my overall sanity.
Integrating the Microsoft Surface 3 into my kitchen routine has made a dramatic difference in how I manage my tasks. I now rely heavily on the **Evernote app** to meticulously type out all my recipes and testing notes in advance. This means I can effortlessly display them on the tablet’s screen while I’m actively testing in the kitchen, making real-time edits, adjustments, and keeping all my valuable culinary notes and iterations in one secure, easily accessible place. This digital approach has completely eliminated the frustrating risk of lost recipes and streamlined my development process immensely, allowing me to focus more on creativity and less on searching for misplaced papers.
One of my biggest frustrations with other tablets has always been their instability or awkward positioning on a busy kitchen counter. The Microsoft Surface 3 brilliantly solves this common issue with its incredibly sturdy built-in kickstand, allowing it to be propped up securely and at the perfect viewing angle. This feature is an absolute game-changer, especially when valuable counter space is at a premium during intense cooking and baking sessions. Furthermore, the seamless **Microsoft Windows 10 update** has significantly enhanced its multitasking capabilities. I can now easily switch between multiple virtual desktops or even split the display screen. This allows me to simultaneously view my precise recipe instructions while checking emails, responding to comments on social media, or researching ingredients, enabling me to respond to your comments and recipe questions in a much more timely and efficient manner. It truly makes a tangible difference in my productivity.
For a food blogger, a seamless and efficient creative workflow is absolutely paramount. The Surface 3 offers major bonus points by including a convenient memory card slot and robust support for essential software like **Adobe Lightroom**. This means I can directly import my camera’s memory card, edit all my high-resolution blog photographs right on the tablet, and then seamlessly integrate them into my posts without transferring files to another device. This end-to-end digital solution has significantly reduced my editing time and vastly improved my overall content creation process. From initial recipe ideation and development to final photo editing and publication, the Intel-powered Microsoft Surface 3 has quickly become an indispensable tool in my kitchen and my creative studio, truly making a difference in my daily operations.
Aaah, the simple joys: a convenient memory card slot and a freshly baked batch of tender pumpkin doughnuts. It truly is the little things that count and make life, and blogging, so much smoother and more enjoyable, isn’t it?
Dive Into Doughnut Bliss
These baked pumpkin doughnuts are more than just a sweet treat; they’re an experience designed to evoke warmth and comfort. Imagine sinking your teeth into a light, airy doughnut bursting with the warm, comforting notes of pumpkin and autumnal spices, all perfectly complemented by that rich, textured, and aromatic cardamom crumble. They’re a perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee, a delightful addition to a leisurely brunch spread, or a sweet and satisfying ending to any fall meal. And for those moments when you’re craving something a little different, yet equally enchanting and easy to make, don’t forget to try my ricotta beignets with lemon cardamom sugar! They offer a fried, yet surprisingly simple, doughnut experience with that same beloved cardamom twist. If you need me, I’ll probably be in the kitchen, adding cardamom to all.the.things. Oh, so festive and cozy!
Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts with Cardamom Crumble
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Ingredients
Cardamom Crumble:
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons (40 g) firmly packed dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup (30 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
- pinch kosher salt
Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts:
- ¾ cup (90 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- ⅓ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (122 g) pure pumpkin puree
- 3 tablespoons (45 mL) whole or low-fat milk
- powdered sugar (optional) for dusting
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) with a rack in the center position. Spray a 6-well doughnut pan with baking spray and set aside.
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Prepare Cardamom Crumble: Cut the cold butter into small cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the remainder of the ingredients and work them into the butter with your fingertips until the mixture comes together in large clumps and crumbs. If the butter gets too soft or warm, place in the freezer for several minutes before continuing to mix. Once you have finished making hte crumble, place in the freezer until ready to use.
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Bake Doughnuts: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground allspice. Set aside.
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Place the softened butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and add the egg, mix until fully incorporated. Scrape the bowl to ensure that all of the ingredients are incorporated evenly.
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Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla, and mix over low speed until just blended (the mixture will look slightly broken). Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with two additions of milk. Beat at low speed until just combined–avoid over-mixing. Scrape the bottom of the mixing bowl to ensure that all of the ingredients are incorporated.
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Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a large round piping tip (alternatively, you can use a spoon to fill the doughnut pan, but it will be more difficult) and distribute the batter evenly in the greased pan. Remove the crumble from the freezer and distribute it onto the batter, pressing it slightly into the batter. The crumb topping will be generous, but you shouldn’t have any leftovers.
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Bake the doughnuts for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the doughnuts spring back when lightly pressed. Allow the doughnuts to cool in the pan on a rack for 5 to 10 minutes, before removing (use a knife to release the edges from the donuts from the side of the pan). Remove and allow them to cool completely on a rack.
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Dust with powdered sugar before serving (optional). Doughnuts best served the day of baking, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
Tips for Success:
- Ground cardamom can be found at Whole Foods and most grocery stores in the spice aisle. You can also order it on Amazon (my favorite resource for spices is Penzey’s Spices, they ship nationally).
Essential Tips for Baking Success
To ensure your delicious baked pumpkin doughnuts turn out perfectly every single time, remember these key baking tips and tricks. Firstly, it’s crucial to ensure that all your wet ingredients, especially the egg and softened butter, are at room temperature. This seemingly small detail helps them emulsify better with the sugar, leading to a smoother, more uniform batter and ultimately a more tender and consistent texture in your finished doughnuts. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until they are barely combined. Overmixing can quickly develop the gluten in the flour too much, which will result in tough, chewy doughnuts instead of the desired light and tender crumb. Secondly, do not skimp on thoroughly greasing your doughnut pan; a good quality baking spray will ensure easy release and prevent sticking. Lastly, for that perfect, irresistible cardamom crumble topping, always keep your butter cold. This ensures that the butter remains in small, distinct pieces, which then melt slowly during baking, creating those delightful, crumbly bits that make the topping so decadent.
The Magic of Cardamom: Where to Find It
If you’re new to the wonderful world of cardamom or simply need to replenish your spice rack, you’ll be pleased to know that high-quality ground cardamom is widely available. Most well-stocked grocery stores, particularly those with a good organic or gourmet section like Whole Foods, will carry it in their spice aisle. For those who appreciate the convenience of online shopping and a wider selection, Amazon is always a reliable source. Personally, I highly recommend exploring Penzey’s Spices for their exceptional quality and freshness; they offer national shipping, ensuring you receive the most aromatic and flavorful cardamom for all your baking and cooking endeavors. A pinch of this distinctive and versatile spice can truly transform a dish, adding a unique warmth, a subtle citrusy-floral note, and an exotic complexity that is simply unparalleled by other spices. It’s truly a secret weapon in my spice cabinet!
Enjoy Your Cozy Fall Creation!
From my kitchen to yours, I sincerely hope these **baked pumpkin doughnuts with cardamom crumble** bring a generous touch of festive warmth, unparalleled flavor, and pure joy to your autumn days. Whether you’re making them for a special holiday occasion, a leisurely weekend breakfast, or simply to treat yourself to a comforting homemade goodie, the exquisite combination of tender pumpkin, fragrant autumnal spices, and that glorious, crunchy cardamom crumble is absolutely sure to delight your taste buds and uplift your spirits. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in the kitchen, probably adding a little extra cardamom to just about everything! These delightful treats are truly so festive and cozy, embodying the very essence of fall.
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