Halloween Monster Chocolate Donuts (baked recipe)

5 from 3 votes

Looking for a fun Halloween treat? These Halloween Monster Chocolate Donuts are perfect for any spooky celebration. They're baked in a donut pan, packed with chocolatey goodness, and decorated with candy eyeballs for a playful touch. Whether for a Halloween party or a fun treat, these donuts will be a hit.

Prep Time20

Cook Time13

Servings: 15 donuts

Equipment

1 donut pan
1 cooling rack
1 microwave-safe bowl
1 Electric mixer
2 mixing bowls
1 sheet parchment paper

Ingredients

Chocolate Donuts

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour measured using the spoon and level method
6 tablespoons dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup full-fat milk room temperature
1 teaspon instant espresso powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs room temperature
1/4 cup full-fat yogurt room temperature

Decorations

3 cups candy melts desired colors
2 cups sprinkles desired colors
3/4 cup small and large eyeball candy

Instructions

Chocolate Donuts

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray the donut pan with baking spray and set it aside.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then set it aside. In a small bowl, mix the milk and espresso powder, and set that aside as well.
1 1/4 cups (156.3 g) all-purpose flour, 6 tablespoons dutch-process cocoa powder, 3/4 teaspoon (0.8 teaspoon) baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon (0.3 teaspoon) baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon (0.3 teaspoon) salt, 1/2 cup (118.3 ml) full-fat milk, 1 teaspon instant espresso powder
In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the yogurt until combined.
1/2 cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, 3/4 cups (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup (59.1 ml) full-fat yogurt
Alternate adding the milk mixture and dry ingredients to the batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, and beat until well incorporated.
Fill the prepared donut tins about 2/3 full. Bake for 13-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let the donuts cool for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Decorating

When the donuts are at room temperature, melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Dunk the chocolate donuts in the melted candy, and immediately cover them with sprinkles (if using) or "glue" on the eyes.
To attach the eyes on top of the sprinkle-covered donuts, use a bit more melted candy melts as the adhesive.
3 cups (678 g) candy melts, 2 cups (320 g) sprinkles, 3/4 cup (156 g) small and large eyeball candy
Place them on top of a piece of parchment paper or wire rack to let the candy melts set completely.

Orange One-Eyed Monster:

Dunk the donut in melted orange candy melts.
Place one large candy eyeball on top.
Stick white Jimmies sprinkles around the donut hole to create teeth.

Furry Monsters:

Dunk the donut in melted white candy melts (or use melted chocolate).
Immediately cover the donut with purple, pink, yellow, or orange sprinkles.
Stick small and large candy eyeballs using melted candy melts as glue.

White Monster with Black Teeth:

Dunk the donut in melted white candy melts or melted white chocolate.
Place two small candy eyeballs on top.
Sprinkle white Jimmies over the donut.
Stick black Jimmies around the donut hole to create teeth.
Glue red confetti sprinkles on top of the candy eyes using melted candy melts.

Mummy:

Dunk the donut in melted white candy melts or melted white chocolate.
Stick two small candy eyeballs on top.
Place the melted white candy melts in a piping bag with a small hole cut in the tip. Drizzle the candy melts in all directions over the donut, avoiding the eyes.

Green Three-Eyed Monster:

Dunk the donut in melted green candy melts.
Glue three small candy eyeballs on top while the candy melts are still soft.

Notes

Add-ons and Substitutions for these cute Halloween Donuts

Crushed cookies: Sprinkle crushed chocolate sandwich cookies on top of the donuts after applying the candy melts for added crunch and extra chocolate flavor.
Mini Marshmallows: Add some mini marshmallows to the donut batter or on top as decoration to give a gooey texture and a ghostly look.
Chocolate Chips: Mix chocolate chips into the batter for melty pockets of chocolate inside the donuts.
Colored Icing: Use colored icing to draw spooky faces or patterns on the donuts, adding to the Halloween theme.
Edible Glitter: Sprinkle some edible glitter on top of the candy melts for a shimmery, festive touch.
Buttermilk: Substitute regular milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor.
Sour Cream: Substitute the yogurt for sour cream, with similar results.

Expert Tips for these easy Halloween treats

Here are some expert tips to ensure your Halloween monster donuts turn out perfectly:

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature before you start. This ensures that your batter mixes smoothly, giving you a light and fluffy donut.
Avoid Overbaking: Keep a close eye on your donuts while they’re in the oven. Overbaking can dry them out, so check them at the 13-minute mark and remove them as soon as a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool Before Decorating: Always let your donuts cool completely before decorating. Decorating warm donuts can cause the candy melts to slide off and the decorations to melt or shift.
Work Quickly with Candy Melts: Candy melts set quickly, so don’t wait too long before adding sprinkles or gluing on the candy eyes. Have your decorations ready to go before you start dipping the donuts.

Following these tips will help you create beautiful and delicious Halloween monster donuts!

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store leftover donuts?

Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you want to keep them fresh for a longer period, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving in any of your Halloween parties.

Can I freeze the donuts?

Yes, you can freeze the donuts! To do so, place the cooled, undecorated donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the donuts at room temperature and add decorations after thawing.

What should I do if my candy melts start to set before I finish decorating?

If your candy melts start to set, you can gently reheat them in the microwave in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, stirring between each interval until they become fluid again. If the melts cool too quickly, they might not adhere well to the donuts.

How can I achieve a smooth coating with candy melts?

Make sure your candy melts are fully melted and have a smooth consistency before dipping your donuts. If the candy melts are too thick, you can thin them out by adding a small amount of vegetable oil or coconut oil. This will help achieve a smooth, even coating for the perfect treat.