Baked Pumpkin Donuts

I am considering signing up for an official half marathon.  I am super nervous about this, but it's something that I really want to do at some point.  

A few years ago, my best friend Caryn got me hooked on running.  Since then, I have made it part of my lifestyle and it has been great.  I love running outdoors and enjoying the sights and weather around me.  I also love how when I run, I can feel way less guilty about trying all the treats I love to bake.  And, since it is getting cold old, I have been running less and baking more...

So, as the holidays approach, I am considering signing up for a half marathon as a way to fulfill my goal and motivating myself to get back into a solid running schedule in the spring.  

Speaking of baking all the time...my most recent baking adventure was more donuts! I LOVE my mini donut pan.  When I purchased it, I was a tiny bit skeptical about how much I would use it.  However, after making donuts, successfully, three times, I am in love and feel no regrets.  This pan is fantastic!  Baked donuts are a great treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert.  These donuts were made because my friend Lauren love pumpkin and they were for her!  I found a great recipe for baked pumpkin donuts coated in cinnamon sugar and I got to work! 

Mini Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar (adapted from Blue Eyed Bakers)

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp (heaping) cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp cloves

1/3 cup canola oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup milk

For the Coating:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2/3 cup sugar

2 tbsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a mini donut pan. This recipe makes about 36 mini donuts.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and cloves. 

3.  In another bowl, beat the brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk.  Beat in the dry ingredients until just combined.  Fill the donut pan up to the top and bake for about 10 minutes.  Let cool.

4.  To coat the donuts, mix the sugar with the cinnamon in a bowl.  Then, dip the donuts in the melted butter and toss in the cinnamon sugar.  Continue with all the donuts.  

Enjoy :)