½cupvegetable oilor canola oil or melted coconut oil
¾cupbrown sugarpacked
2largeeggsroom temperature
1cuppumpkin pureefresh or canned
⅓cupmilk
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
Brown Sugar Icing
¾cupbrown sugarpacked
¼cupmilk
1tablespoonunsalted butter
½teaspoonpure vanilla extract
1 ½cupsconfectioners' sugarsifted
pinch of salt
Instructions
Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then fold everything together gently just until combined and no flour pockets remain.
Spoon the batter into the donut cavities or for ease, I highly recommend using a large zipped-top bag. Cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling about halfway.
Preheat air fryer at 400˚F/200˚C for 2-3 minutes. Place donut mold in air fryer and bake at 330˚F/165˚C for 6 minutes, or until internal temperature of donuts reads above 160˚F/71˚C. Remove from air fryer and let cool for 2 minutes in mold, then carefully remove donuts from the mold.
Brown Sugar Icing
Combine the brown sugar, milk, and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter has melted and mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 1 minute then remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and sifted confectioners’ sugar until smooth and combined. Taste, then add a pinch of salt if desired– I always add a tiny pinch.
Let the icing cool for 5 minutes to slightly thicken. Dip the tops of the pumpkin donuts into the warm icing. If icing is getting too thick as you’re dipping, add a little more milk or warm back up in the microwave or on the stove to thin out.
Place dipped donuts on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet so any excess icing can drip off. Top with chopped nuts or other toppings if desired. If applied lightly, the icing will eventually set in about 1 hour so you can stack or transport the donuts.