Imagine thinking you know someone and finding out you really don’t. Having them be a part of your life for 18 years, and then finding out something about them that astounds you.
That’s what happened to me last week – I’m still sort of dumbfounded.
My husband, the man I trust with my life and my children’s, confessed to me that he thinks pumpkin only belongs in pie.
Not in a cheesecake.
Not in pancakes.
Not definitely not in ice cream.
He says pumpkin is for pie. And only pie.
WHAT?!? Are you kidding me? When were you saving that bombshell for? Our 20th anniversary? For the past few years I’ve prepared pumpkin in numerous ways. I love the smell of baking pumpkin with the lingering notes of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg wafting through the house. I love how it adds moisture to baked goods and how it provides a natural orange tinge to everything it gets used in.
And I do love stopping by the coffee shops in autumn to savour a delectable pumpkin spice latte. Then, to find out this is something we don’t have in common. What a shocker.
It’s a good thing I love that man, this will just have to be an imperfection that I will learn to overlook, while I’m sharing a piece of Crustless Pumpkin pie with him. And it’s a good thing that my kids love all things pumpkin as much as their Mom. It gives me a reason to keep on creating new recipes – like these gluten free Baked Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Doughnuts – for us to enjoy.
*Note – please know that my marriage is in no way in danger by this startling discovery. We’re all good. 😉
Gluten Free Baked Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Doughnuts
Please forgive me for having a recipe that makes 8 doughnuts. I know a standard doughnut pan makes 6, but sometimes when a recipe works, and is good, it's just best to break out that second pan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon brown rice flour
- 1/4 cup sorghum flour
- 2 Tablespoons potato starch (not flour)
- 2 Tablespoons dry milk powder
- 1 Tablespoon tapioca starch/flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease your doughnut pans.
In a large bowl, whisk to combine the rice flour, sorghum flour, potato starch, dry milk powder, tapioca starch, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, xanthan gum, salt, and mini chocolate chips.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Spoon the batter into a large resealable bag. Cut a hole in one of the corners of the bag, and pipe the batter into the prepared doughnut pans.
Bake in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the top of the doughnut bounces back when gently pressed on.
Let the doughnuts sit in the pan for 5 minutes before removing them.
Mix together 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. While the doughnut is still warm, gently toss them with the sugar/cinnamon mixture before placing them on a wire cooling rack. (The sugar mixture will only stick on the part of the doughnut that was in the pan.)
These can be served warm, or stored in an airtight container once cooled. The sugar/cinnamon mixture will dissolve once they are stored in a container.
Notes
Although this recipe is for doughnuts using a doughnut pan, you can always use a muffin or mini muffin pan instead. You may need to adjust the baking time according to the size of the pan.
Looking for MORE GLUTEN FREE PUMPKIN GOODNESS? CLICK HERE!
Looking for MORE REASONS TO PURCHASE A DOUGHNUT PAN? CLICK HERE!
Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
ROFL, Jeanine!!! How can these folks who either restrict pumpkin to pie only or don’t like pumpkin at all even exist? I just DON’T get them!! Hehe, but true. I think my husband might go along with your husband, too. Sigh. Like you, I don’t understand my man, but I still love him. 😉
Now as far as this recipe, it’s perfect timing! I was looking for a great new donut recipe for All Gluten-Free Desserts. Found it!!
Thanks, dear,
Shirley
Jeanine Friesen says
Ha, I don’t get them either, Shirley, but I guess they exist! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing at All Gluten-Free Desserts, I appreciate it!
Teri says
LOL if this his only secret you are in good shape. Too funny!
I’ve printed out the recipe and will be giving it a try. I also love pumpkin, but sadly I’m alone in my pumpkin love. No worries all the more for me 🙂
Jeanine Friesen says
I like your attitude, Teri! More for you, is right. And, they freeze well too (just not the sugary coating, you’d need to re-coat after defrosting). 😉
Robyn says
These look fabulous, Jeanine! Thank you! I’m so glad that was a happy bombshell, phew! Congratulations on winning the Great Cream Challenge!!!
Jeanine Friesen says
Thanks, Robyn!
Mrs.T says
These look wonderful, Jeanine! You have outdone yourself again! Mr. T and I are headed off on a little getaway this month and I may just bake these to take along.
So happy to hear that your marriage is okay in spite of this “incompatibility issue” and that your kids like pumpkin too. Thanks again for your baking expertise and all of the great recipes you share.
Jeanine Friesen says
My pleasure, Mrs. T! Enjoy your getaway, a break from the everyday is always nice.
Betty says
I love pumpkin donuts!..I enjoyed the story you shared..the things we learn!! 😉 I am with you, I love pumpkin in almost anything!
Jeanine Friesen says
“Almost” being the key word, right, Betty?
Megan says
Have them in the oven right now! Can’t wait! Did you ever do a cider donut? My daughter has been asking me to try and make them.
Jeanine Friesen says
I haven’t played around with cider doughnuts YET, Megan, but maybe I should… 😉
Rebecca Bailey says
Oddly enough, I feel the same way about pumpkin. I used to like it in pancakes, etc, but in the last two years or so it just makes me sick. My husband loves it though, so I’m going to make him these. I’m such a sacrificial wife:) Thanks for your fantabulous recipes, I’m sure he’ll love this one!
Jeanine Friesen says
Well, the first number of years we were married, my husband was the only one that liked pumpkin pie, and I made it for him then too. Now, the whole family is on board. The things we do for our spouse, huh? 🙂
Lisa says
I read your post, laughed and had to comment. I, too, (after 27 years of wedded bliss!) just discovered that my hubby doesn’t like ribs. After years of perfecting a savory spice rub and slow-cooker-meets-the-smoker technique I prepared our usual Sunday family dinner with no less than 5 racks of pumpkin spice rubbed smoky yumminess that the rest of the family devoured…hubby picked at his then declared “Eh, I guess I don’t care for ribs.” WHAT?!?! LOL! I guess marriage is a journey of discovery our whole lives…and those little surprises will keep us guessing until the end! Happy baking… I’m off to make some doughnuts! 🙂
Jeanine Friesen says
Oh, Lisa, that is just soo funny! Keeps things from getting boring I guess, huh? 🙂 Enjoy your ribs! 😀
Kerry says
Oh Jeanine my husband is the same way……he did not grow up eating pumpkin in different ways…I dont think he even ate pumpkin pie as a kid(traditional italian family). I love pumpkin in many forms….soups, desserts etc. It is also really good for animals with a sick tummy. Recently I found pumpkin seed nacho chips at our Costco store…..talk about yummy! He looked at me like I was nuts when I held them out for him to try! He eventually did try them and ate several handfuls so I think they passed his taster…lol. This donut recipe looks tasty and I cant wait to give it a try!
Thanks!
Jeanine Friesen says
What?!? Pumpkin Seed Nacho Chips?? Wonder if our Costco has those…
So funny, hope you’re able to convert him to pumpkin! 😉
Beth says
After (finally) buying a doughnut pan I made these doughnuts yesterday. My pan came in the mail at around 4 pm and by 7:30 we were eating doughnuts (had to make supper first)!! YUM! My 10 year old, a self proclaimed doughnut hater and gluten eater, said they were the best doughnut he had ever eaten. They were soft, moist, and spicy. I made a double batch and had enough for us to enjoy them for breakfast. This morning, I rerolled them in the sugar and cinnamon mix since they had melted the sugar on the outside. They were perfect paired with my Pumpkin Spice coffee this morning! Thanks for another great recipe!!
Jeanine Friesen says
yeah!! The doughnut hater gives his thumbs up. That’s awesome, Beth! 😀 Now, aren’t you glad that you bought a doughnut pan?? 😀
Beth says
Made these again yesterday for a brunch group I had over. I am the only GF eater of the group but they all LOVED them and couldn’t believe that they were GF.
Jeanine Friesen says
That is awesome! I love when people don’t have a clue that something is gluten-free! BONUS! 😀
Mrs.T says
Oh my, I tried these last week and they are amazing! Jeanine, I honestly don’t know how you come up with these fabulous recipes that work so well. I have tried recipes from other gluten free sites and I have been disappointed (or maybe underwhelmed is a better word) with the results. I honestly thought that gluten free muffins would always be squishy, and gluten free bread always hard and crumbly, until I found your site. I am so thankful.
My doughnut pans were given to me by a friend and they are more like mini angel cake pans, but they did work. Some of the cups were filled too full and so the doughnuts came out more like little cakes, but I shared one with my hubby and we both agree — fantastic. Now he will not feel guilty buying the occasional doughnut because he knows there are some in the freezer for me to enjoy.
For future reference, how full do you suggest filling the indentations/cups in the doughnut pan?
Jeanine Friesen says
Ah, Mrs. T, you’re very welcome! I’m so glad that you’re having great success with so many recipes too, and love that you enjoyed the doughnuts. 🙂 Thank you so much!
I think I fill the pans about 2/3 – 3/4 full, I’ve had some overfilled too, then they make nice little edible ice cream bowls. 😉
Sarah says
I have been to 3 grocery stores to get all the ingredients and went to 3 places trying to find donut pans before I had to order them on Amazon, but dang it, I am making these donuts this weekend! Sooo excited to have found this blog. I had to go gluten free in January and have been bummed about missing out on all the pumpkin yummyness this fall. But no more! If I do well on the donuts, the pumpkin cheesecake is next!
Jeanine Friesen says
That’s a lot of effort, but so worth it, Sarah! LOVE your determination! 🙂 I’m sure you’ve learned a lot since January, the first while is the steep learning curve, but pretty soon this will all become send nature. I did the pumpkin cheesecake this past weekend, used a pecan crust (from the cinnamon bun cheesecake), and baked them in muffin liners. Those would work perfect for freezing individual desserts! Just thought I’d share. 😉 Enjoy your doughnuts once you get the pan! 😀
Sandy says
Is there a way to substitute Milk Powder for something else? My little guy has celiac and a milk allergy. But I know he would love these
Jeanine Friesen says
Sandy, I think you can omit it without a problem, or sub in 1 Tablespoon almond flour, maybe. I haven’t tried it. I included it to up the protein content of the batter a bit. I think it would be OK without though too. 🙂
Jeannette says
I loved your post! Great sense of humor!
I cannot get sorghum flour in my area. Would Arrowhead multi purpose flour be okay as a substitute for all the flours? Or…I have brown rice flour, white rice flour, potato starch and tapioca starch.
Thanks! I’d like to make these.
Jeanine Friesen says
Thanks, Jeannette, keeping life interesting. 🙂
I think you could just sub in the brown rice for the sorghum. I haven’t tried it that way, but that would be my guess. Enjoy!
Ashley says
Hi there,
I would really like to try out this recipe but I also cannot eat dairy. Do you have any suggestions for me to replace the milk powder?
Thanks 🙂
Jeanine Friesen says
You can substitute with 2 Tbsp dry vanilla pudding mix (Jell-o brand is dairy free, I believe), or 2 Tbsp of almond flour. Or, you can omit it, I think it’d work find without as well.
Jamie D says
I just read your recipe for chocolate donuts and it sounds amazing!! That recipe calls for the chocolate pudding recipe OR dry milk, could you use a vanilla pudding mix for this one too? Also does this have to have the chocolate chips or can I omit them?
Jeanine Friesen says
Hi Jamie, you can most certainly use vanilla pudding mix instead of the milk powder. And, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the chocolate chips are optional (just not for me). 😉
Tessa@TessaDomesticDiva says
I made these egg and dairy free, and refined suagr free too, and we all loved them Jeanine! Here is what I did:
I used coconut milk powder to replace the milk powder, used coconut oil to replace the canola, use 1 teaspoon of chia meal and 6 tablespoons coconut yogurt plus 2 tablespoons hot water to replace the eggs. I also used palm sugar and part stevia to replace the brown sugar.
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
You had me at pumpkin! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share this week! Its LIVE!
Cindy
connie mag says
Can I use an egg replacement instead of the 2 eggs?
Jeanine says
I’ve never tried it, Connie, if you do, please let us know how it works!
Cheri says
Just made these donuts and they turned out so good. I didn’t have dry milk, so I omitted it. I also did not have potatoe starch so I used arrowroot. They still turned out very good. My 7 year old son loves them.
Jeanine says
So glad to hear that, Cheri! Those sound like great substitutions. Glad to hear that they got your son’s approval. 😀
Cara says
My son was diagnosed in March with Celiac. His dad was diagnosed almost three yrs ago. At age nine, now ten, he was devastated and could not comprehend never getting to ever eat gluten again. It’s those sweet treats that he misses the most. I’ve now made almost all of your donut recipes, all with rave reviews. What I love about your recipes is how very simple they are. So this is big thank you for your incredibly delicious donuts. My son thanks you too!! 🙂
Jeanine says
You’re so welcome, Cara! It’s comments like that that keep me going back to the kitchen to create more recipes. 🙂