10 Pumpkin Donuts That Keep Wisconsin Bakeries Busy
Fall in Wisconsin means one thing for bakery fans – pumpkin donut season! From Milwaukee to Madison, local bakers are rolling out their special autumn creations.
I’ve sampled dozens across the state to bring you the absolute best pumpkin-flavored rings of happiness that have customers lining up before dawn.
1. Spiced Cheese Pumpkin Ring
Madison’s Dairy Dream Bakery created something truly Wisconsin – pumpkin donuts with cheese! Aged cheddar gets mixed right into the pumpkin batter, creating an unexpectedly delicious savory-sweet combination.
The warm spice blend includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and a secret ingredient the owner’s grandmother brought from Poland. When fresh from the fryer, these sell out within two hours every morning.
2. Pumpkin Brew Cake Donut
Milwaukee’s Lakefront Bakery partnered with a local craft brewery to create this grown-up treat. The pumpkin batter contains a reduction of seasonal pumpkin ale that adds depth and a slight malty flavor.
Each donut gets dipped in a caramel glaze and sprinkled with pretzel salt. The combination might sound unusual, but locals swear it’s the perfect companion to morning coffee or evening beer flights.
3. Maple Bacon Pumpkin Twist
Northwoods Bakery in Eau Claire starts making these at 3 AM during peak fall season. Ribbons of pumpkin dough get twisted with maple-flavored dough, then fried to golden perfection.
The finishing touch? Crumbled bacon from a family farm just outside town. These donuts bridge the breakfast-dessert divide perfectly. Many customers buy them by the dozen to share with coworkers and neighbors.
4. Harvest Moon Filled Donut
Green Bay’s Sunrise Bakery creates these round pillows of joy each September. The fluffy pumpkin yeast donuts get injected with homemade cream cheese filling that’s lightly sweetened with local honey.
Rolling them in cinnamon sugar adds the perfect crunch to each bite. The family-owned bakery has used the same recipe for three generations, and customers drive from three states away during the six weeks they’re available.
5. Pumpkin Patch Fritter
Farm Fresh Bakery in Appleton transforms their famous apple fritters into autumn masterpieces. Chunks of roasted pumpkin get folded into cinnamon-spiced dough with toasted pecans and dried cranberries.
After frying, each massive fritter gets drenched in vanilla glaze. These irregular-shaped treats are nearly the size of a small plate! The bakery donates a portion of each sale to local community gardens.
6. Cranberry Bog Pumpkin Delight
You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted this masterpiece from Door County Bakehouse. Their signature donut combines real pumpkin puree with Wisconsin cranberries folded into the batter.
Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tart that keeps locals returning throughout the season. The secret glaze contains a hint of maple syrup harvested from northern Wisconsin forests.
7. Chocolate Pumpkin Old-Fashioned
Grandma’s Kitchen in Kenosha puts a creative spin on the classic Wisconsin old-fashioned donut. Their pumpkin batter gets a rich chocolate upgrade with Dutch-process cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips.
The signature cracked exterior creates more surface area for the brown butter glaze to cling to. Saturday mornings often see lines around the block as fans wait for these cake-like beauties to emerge from the fryer.
8. State Fair Pumpkin Long John
Inspired by Wisconsin’s beloved cream puffs, Waukesha Bakery’s long johns combine two state favorites. The elongated pumpkin-spiced yeast donuts get split and filled with freshly whipped cream that’s been infused with maple.
A light dusting of powdered sugar and nutmeg completes these elegant treats. The baker learned his craft in France but returned to Wisconsin to celebrate local flavors. Each one is almost too pretty to eat – almost!
9. Wild Rice Pumpkin Cruller
Only in Wisconsin would you find wild rice in a donut! Northern Lights Bakery in Rhinelander incorporates locally harvested wild rice that’s been ground into flour and mixed with pumpkin batter.
The star-shaped crullers get a honey glaze that enhances the nutty flavor of the rice. Native American culinary traditions inspire these unique treats. During peak fall color season, they often sell 500+ daily to tourists and locals alike.
10. Butterscotch Pumpkin Bismarck
Family Traditions Bakery in La Crosse creates these square-shaped pumpkin donuts filled with homemade butterscotch pudding. The contrast between spiced dough and creamy filling makes each bite pure heaven.
A sprinkle of candied pepitas adds unexpected crunch. The recipe comes from the owner’s Norwegian grandmother, with a few modern twists. During October, the bakery makes extra batches for weekend farmers markets along the Mississippi River.
