Wholesome Cook
Autumn

Pumpkin Spice Donuts With Cacao Icing

These Pumpkin Spice Donuts are vegan and gluten, nut and processed sugar-free. As a special treat, they are iced with a simple blend of raw cacao, coconut oil and rice malt syrup – one of the best sugar subs there is. UPDATE: This recipe has been featured in Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar Chocolate eBook alongside 70+ others! 

Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts with Cacao Glaze Icing

Inspired by our recent trip to the US and the amazing assortment of pumpkins and squashes available at local stores, markets, and basically on every street corner in the form of jack-o-lanterns and other Halloween creatures, I’ve decided to bake some pumpkin spice donuts.

Pumpkins for Halloween

The basic recipe for these particular baked donuts came from a vegan cinnamon sugar version I’ve made previously. This time, however, I wanted to make them processed sugar free and gluten free as well… 

Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts with Chocolate Glaze Icing (1)

It may have been a way of trying to detox after a week in the US although, with the exception of trying Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream ice cream, a visit to a San Diego dessert bar one night and trying a ‘King’ Sundae at Searsucker – Top Chef’s Brian Malarkey’s cool dining room , we have been pretty good on the sugar front. Oh, and yes, we did try “cowboy caviar“. 

Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts with Cacao Glaze Icing

I digress… This particular donut dough took a little trial and error – it can’t be overmixed or otherwise the donuts get “gummy”, so bearing that in mind be gentle as the final result is really worth it.

And the icing?

Cacao Glaze Icing for Donuts

Well, the cacao icing is what really makes these donuts stand out. It is smooth, chocolatey and lightly sweet from the Pure Harvest organic rice malt syrup, which itself is recommended as the best refined sugar substitute around. Amazing taste-wise, sugar-free-wise and of course allergy-wise. 

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Pumpkin Spice Donuts With Cacao Icing

The dough took a little trial and error - it can't be overmixed or otherwise the donuts get "gummy", so bear that in mind. The cacao icing is what really makes these donuts stand out. It is smooth, chocolatey and lightly sweet from the rice malt syrup, which itself is recommended as the best refined sugar substitute around. Amazing taste-wise, sugar-free-wise and of course allergy-wise. Makes about 16 medium donuts.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Servings: 4 -8

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Donuts - dry ingredients:

  • 2 cups plain gluten-free flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tsp five spice powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt

For the Pumpkin Donuts - wet ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin
  • 1 tbsp rice malt syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup rice milk

For the Cacao Icing:

  • 8 tbsp rice malt syrup
  • 6 tsp raw cacao powder
  • 4 tsp extra virgin coconut oil in solid form

Instructions

To prepare the Pumpkin Spice Donuts:

  • In a large bowl mix together all dry ingredients.
  • In another bowl mix wet ingredients until well combined.
  • Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold through, but just until the ingredients are incorporated, Do not overmix.
  • Pipe or spoon batter into donut pan and spread around to leave the middle (hole) exposed.
  • Bake in a pre-heated oven for about 7-8 minutes, then flip the donuts and bake for a further 5 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
  • Repeat the process with any remaining batter.

To prepare the Cacao Icing:

  • In a bowl mix together rice malt syrup and cacao until it is smooth and has no lumps.
  • Add unmelted coconut oil and mix again until the icing is smooth.

To glaze the Donuts:

  • Dip each cooled donut into the icing and place on a wire rack to drip dry.
Tried this recipe?Mention @wholesomecook or tag #wholesomecook

GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

Last but not least, since these little babies are baked, I am giving away one 12-hole donut pan to one lucky Wholesome Cook reader. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post to enter and register via Rafflecopter below. Bonus entries are available for sharing via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Open worldwide. Giveaway closes midnight November 7 EST (click here to convert this time). Winner will be announced on this post on November 8.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway! Congratulations to Sara! I will be in touch to get your mailing details. Stay tuned for another exciting giveaway later this month (hint: ice cream).

79 comments

Kerry Anne October 30, 2012 at 12:49 pm

Yuuuum! What a great idea – love the icing!

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Renee October 30, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Those look delicious and I would love to try baking them but alas I have no donut pan so I’m trying my luck at your giveaway. Thank you for this great recipe.

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Sasha October 30, 2012 at 1:04 pm

Beautiful photos. Must try this recipe asap. Thanks fro sharing.

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Rebecca October 30, 2012 at 1:07 pm

GF donuts, I can’t wait to try them, it’s been 5 long years since I had a donut. Love the glaze as well! Thank you so much. I’ve also entered your comp – fingers crossed!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 5, 2012 at 8:39 pm

Good luck Rebecca, Hope you enjoy them – they can be quite addictive so you may find yourself having them often to make up for lost time… :-)

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Maria October 30, 2012 at 1:11 pm

These look delicious! Will definitely be trying these! xoxo

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Jessica Hay (@makeupurmind11) October 30, 2012 at 1:28 pm

Mmmm these look yum! :)

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jaderose1 October 30, 2012 at 1:38 pm

They look divine, yum! Donuts are my ultimate weakness so I’ve always wanted try making some at home. Thanks for the awesome recipe. :)
(I’ve just voted for you in the recipe writing comp too – good luck and hope you win! xx)

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 5, 2012 at 8:45 pm

Thank you jaderose1, that’s very sweet of you. I came a close second :-)

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Anne S October 30, 2012 at 2:05 pm

Wow, they sound delicious and not that hard to make. And healthy too. Mmmmm

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Jaan L October 30, 2012 at 2:06 pm

We all love donuts so much, but rarely eat them since they aren’t healthy. BUT now with your recipe, YEAH!, we can start enjoying donuts once again. Thanks a million

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Jodie October 30, 2012 at 2:08 pm

Yum, i could really go for one of these right now :)

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Tessa October 30, 2012 at 2:35 pm

Beautiful doughnuts! I really like that they are baked and not fried. Lovely photography as usual!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 5, 2012 at 9:32 pm

*blush* thank you Tessa.

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Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen October 30, 2012 at 2:42 pm

I’ve voted!! Good luck, you deserve it!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 5, 2012 at 9:34 pm

Thank you Barb, much appreciated :-)

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Effie Bakkalis October 30, 2012 at 3:05 pm

The donuts look so yummo! Thanks for the giveaway too :)

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Winston October 30, 2012 at 4:02 pm

I voted for you. You’re #2 with a bullet. Good luck!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook October 30, 2012 at 4:20 pm

Thank you Winston, love your duck too!

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ROBYN LITTLE October 30, 2012 at 8:06 pm

You just can’t go wrong with pumpkin – it is so delicious and so versatile. The doughnuts look delicious.

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Maureen | Orgasmic Chef October 31, 2012 at 12:11 am

I voted! Looks like a great weekend ahead – can you bring some of these doughnuts?

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 5, 2012 at 9:37 pm

Hi Maureen, it was great to see you on the weekend – sorry I couldn’t bring any of these over. Maybe next time EDB is in Sydney I will. Thank you for the vote too.

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Nicole-Lynn October 31, 2012 at 2:29 am

Wow, those donuts look awesome! I love making sweets and treats for my hubby, friends and family! Thanks for the opportunity.

[email protected]

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Miri October 31, 2012 at 4:09 am

Wow, these look so yummie, got to try them soon! I hope I can find a way around the donut pan, since I haven´t got one and they´re not available in this part of Germany…

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 5, 2012 at 9:56 pm

Good luck Miri, I didn’t realise this.

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Andrea October 31, 2012 at 7:01 am

Those doughnuts look awesome!

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heather October 31, 2012 at 7:03 am

I’m always lured in by the doughnut recipes, then saddened when I remember the pretty little rings require a special pan. These are so tempting!

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Deb October 31, 2012 at 7:06 am

My son LoVeS donuts but I hate the processed ones you buy in stores. I would bake him some homemade donuts I am sure he would love! Great giveaway

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katherine October 31, 2012 at 7:38 am

So craving these right now.

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kaylie October 31, 2012 at 7:47 am

This would be so much fun!

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Sara October 31, 2012 at 8:57 am

Those doughnuts look totally delicious – yum! :)

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Shannon C October 31, 2012 at 9:37 am

Those look wonderful!

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Adriana Bon Ramos October 31, 2012 at 9:48 am

Oh my! we were just talking about pumpkin donuts today in my lab! delicious

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Christine (@cookingcrusade) October 31, 2012 at 10:41 am

These look gorgeous, especially that cacoa topping! I also had no idea Stephen Colbert had an ice cream flavour, that is soooo cool hehe

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 5, 2012 at 9:57 pm

Both Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon had an ice cream at some point and Stephen’s has won the public over. It’s really yum (full of sugar, etc) but yum.

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Joshua Ramish October 31, 2012 at 11:29 am

your donuts look great, thanks for the great giveaway ive always wanted a donut pan just never really had the founds.

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Dianne Childs October 31, 2012 at 11:44 am

These look delicious! Fingers crossed :)

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Catharine @BakingChemist November 1, 2012 at 4:02 am

Wow! Yummy! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

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justaudrey November 1, 2012 at 4:03 am

Those look yummy!

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Adrianna November 1, 2012 at 6:41 am

Looks amazing!

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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella November 1, 2012 at 8:01 am

I don’t think I’ve eaten baked donuts much, but they sound much healthier than fried! Good luck to everyone in the competition :)

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zosia November 1, 2012 at 10:30 am

Everytime I go into a cookware store, I find a donut pan, but never buy it :( (unemployed!)
I’d love to win and make some gluten-free donuts :) (PUMPKIN ones!)

By the way – are you Polish? ;)

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 1, 2012 at 2:53 pm

Yes I should probably clarify that in my bio. Powodzenia w konkursie! :-)

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Laura Bärthel November 1, 2012 at 8:01 pm

WOW, I just made these for breakfast and they are amazing! The spices are perfect and the doughnuts have the perfect soft on the inside, yet crunchy on top consistency. YUM!
I needed to use about 1/2 c more liquid to get the dough to form, but I guess that really depends on the moisture of your pumpkin and the flours you use (I used part coconut flour).
Thanks so much for sharing this winner with us, Martyna!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 2, 2012 at 11:09 am

Thanks for trying the recipe and the tips Laura, glad you liked them!

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Simon Food Favourites November 1, 2012 at 11:59 pm

those donuts sounds so good. i knew i shouldn’t have looked at them before going to bed. now i just want one.

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Michelle V November 2, 2012 at 5:27 am

Thankyou for the opportunity; this would be very welcome in my household!

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Nami | Just One Cookbook November 2, 2012 at 5:40 am

You always have amazing food photography to entertain us whenever we visit your blog and it’s been so much fun. I love donuts and pumpkin spice + cacao icing seem like a perfect donut flavor that I’d enjoy with my coffee! Really nice!!!

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Jasmine November 3, 2012 at 4:27 pm

Yummo! Thanks so much :)

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jasmine1485 November 3, 2012 at 4:44 pm

Argh! This would make gluten free doughnuts so much easier to make! I have tried making them before and cutting with a glass, but it was very tricky and the dough got stuck everywhere. :S Those pictures of your pumpkin spice doughnuts look edible themselves!

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Nicole Zois November 3, 2012 at 10:31 pm

Wow these sound amazing. with a toddler who is allergic to just about everything these will be amazing. will try them tomorrow!!!

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Melissa Jones November 3, 2012 at 11:41 pm

It looks so yummy. My little is gonna love it!

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Nashy November 5, 2012 at 4:21 am

That looks delicious! definitely going to try that out((:

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Cadry's Kitchen November 5, 2012 at 4:29 am

Oh, my gosh. Those donuts look AMAZING! It’s probably for the best that vegan donuts are not widely available where I live, but I still wouldn’t mind an occasional indulgence! :) Thanks for the cool giveaway!!

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Megan November 5, 2012 at 4:37 am

I would love me a pan (: !!! Lovely + simple icing recipe!

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Adrienne November 5, 2012 at 4:44 am

I will definitely make these if I have a donut pan. Donut pan added to wishlist.

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Denise Malia November 5, 2012 at 5:49 am

Thank you for this recipe! Can’t wit to try it! ღ (◠‿◠) ♥

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Alicia @ Treble Tart November 5, 2012 at 6:41 am

These look so amazingly delicious!!! I’m always in need of pumpkin. ;)

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Kristen N. November 5, 2012 at 8:09 am

Thank you so much for this recipe and giveaway!

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Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack! November 5, 2012 at 9:25 am

I was just talking to my friend about how we needed donut pans! I love baked donuts much more than fried, anyway. ;) Thanks for putting on this giveaway!

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Alanna November 5, 2012 at 11:22 am

Pumpkin, chocolate, AND vegan?? I think I’m in love!

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isayveegun November 5, 2012 at 12:27 pm

I’m definitely going to give this recipe a try!

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Erin@TheFoodMentalist November 5, 2012 at 4:55 pm

I’m just excited to know these pans exist. Love what you did with it!

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rsmacaalay November 5, 2012 at 6:47 pm

As always your recipes are so tempting, the picture says it all

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Michelle Wong November 5, 2012 at 7:12 pm

Yes! Finally, a good opportunity and an easier way to make more yummy stuff!

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Lizzy (Good Things) November 5, 2012 at 10:10 pm

Yummy Martyna… now if it wasn’t for all the indulgence at #EDB2012, I could eat one of these right now. Great to meet you, BTW!

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karlene November 6, 2012 at 10:35 pm

Brilliant give away – thanks

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Michelle Gray November 7, 2012 at 11:38 am

Suits our lifestyle perfectly, brilliant!!!!!

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Angie Boylan November 7, 2012 at 11:47 am

Probably the only way my kids would eat pumpkin!

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jody jamieson November 7, 2012 at 1:35 pm

oh these look so good and pumkins a hit in our home my kids just love pumkin soup and pie so ill be trying these :)

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Lee November 7, 2012 at 4:00 pm

Wow..a healthier donut option, they look fantastic, I bet the kids wouldn’t even know pumpkin was in them!

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cquek November 7, 2012 at 6:19 pm

that looks absolutely fantastic! great photos as always

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Rosa Mayland November 10, 2012 at 12:41 am

Those doughnuts look very tempting! I love those flavors. So autumnal.

Cheers,

Rosa

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Gary November 26, 2012 at 5:16 pm

The doughnuts look awesome! What sort of gluten-free flour did you use? Does it matter if I use rice flour or buckwheat flour?

Many thanks,

Gary

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 26, 2012 at 6:09 pm

Hi Gary, I used a pre-mixed gluten free flour (White Wings brand here in Australia). Most pre-mixed plain gluten free flour blends can be used. You could mix your own by using 2 parts rice flour + 1/3 parts tapioca flour + 2/3 potato starch. :-) Happy baking!

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Jacki February 28, 2013 at 8:12 am

Hi Martyna, I am going to make these – they look absolutely delicious!

What can I substitute for the apple sauce? I am on a low FODMAP diet and can’t tolerate apples :(

Thanks!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook February 28, 2013 at 8:32 pm

Hi Jacki, I would probably go with either the same amount of blended banana (which may not work for you on FODMAP), or potentially just the same amount of water or [non-dairy] milk… Bear in mind that sweetness will decrease so you may need to add about 1/4 tsp Stevia drops into the batter.

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Quark Donuts in 10 Minutes | Wholesome Cook March 9, 2013 at 2:10 pm

[…] cream eclairs that I can admit to being a sucker for (for a no-sugar version use Stevia drops and this icing), it must be the donuts. For the obvious reasons I keep away from store-bought varieties and since […]

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Nandita May 9, 2014 at 2:04 am

Do you have a gluten free, egg free, nut free, soy free recipe for a regular donut?

Reply

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