Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for both kids and adults. The combination of spooky decorations, thrilling costumes, and mouthwatering treats makes it an occasion everyone looks forward to. If you’re looking for a fun, easy, and super tasty treat to serve at your Halloween gathering, look no further than these Halloween Dessert Donut Holes! Whether you’re hosting a party, participating in a trick-or-treat event, or just want to create some festive fun in the kitchen, these donut holes are sure to be a hit. Soft, sweet, and easy to decorate, they can easily be transformed into adorable monsters, pumpkins, eyeballs, or mummies.
What Are Halloween Dessert Donut Holes?
Halloween Dessert Donut Holes are a playful twist on the classic donut holes we all know and love. They are little bite-sized fried or baked donuts that can be decorated in a variety of spooky ways. What makes them perfect for Halloween is not just their sweet flavor and soft texture, but also the endless possibilities for creative decoration. Whether you prefer to make them from scratch or use store-bought donut holes, these treats are customizable and perfect for any Halloween celebration. Best of all, they’re easy to make and even more fun to decorate!
The Origin of Halloween Dessert Donut Holes
Donut holes have been a popular snack in the United States for decades, originating as a clever byproduct of the classic ring-shaped donut. As the story goes, in the 19th century, a New England ship captain named Hanson Gregory is credited with inventing the donut hole when he pierced the center of his donuts to ensure they cooked more evenly.
Although donut holes are not specifically tied to Halloween, they’ve become a beloved treat for all sorts of celebrations, including spooky season. Over the years, they have been transformed into creative Halloween treats, with people decorating them as pumpkins, ghosts, eyeballs, and other Halloween-themed shapes. Their small size and soft, fluffy texture make them a perfect canvas for any spooky design.
Ingredients for Halloween Dessert Donut Holes
Here’s what you’ll need to make these spooky treats:
For the donut holes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter (or oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
(You can also use store-bought plain donut holes if you prefer a shortcut!)
For frying (if not baking or air frying):
- Neutral oil (vegetable or canola), for frying
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk (adjust for thickness)
- Food coloring (orange, purple, green, black, red, etc.)
- Candy eyeballs, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or melted chocolate for decorating
Step-by-Step Directions for Making Halloween Dessert Donut Holes
Step 1: Make the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if you’re using it).
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
Step 2: Cook the Donut Holes
Now, it’s time to cook these little donuts. You have a few different options for cooking:
A — Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a mini muffin tin or donut hole pan.
- Spoon the batter into the tin, filling each cup about ¾ full.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until they’re golden and spring back when touched.
B — Air Fry:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Drop small spoonfuls of batter into the greased air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd!).
- Air fry for 5–6 minutes, or until the donut holes are golden and cooked through.
C — Fry:
- Heat oil in a pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Use a spoon to drop small balls of dough (about a teaspoon each) into the hot oil.
- Fry for 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy.
- Drain the donut holes on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk to achieve your desired glaze thickness.
- Divide the glaze into separate bowls, depending on how many different colors you want to use.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl, stirring until you get vibrant, spooky shades.
Step 4: Decorate — Halloween Style!
This is the fun part! Get creative and transform your donut holes into spooky Halloween characters.
- Eyeballs: Dip in white glaze, then place a candy eyeball on top. Add red gel for “veins.”
- Pumpkins: Use orange glaze, and pipe green icing to create a little pumpkin stem.
- Ghosts: Dip in white glaze, then add mini chocolate chips as eyes.
- Monsters: Use green glaze and add candy eyes, then pipe a black mouth.
- Spider Webs: Use black glaze for the donut hole, then pipe white icing in a spider web pattern.
Step 5: Set & Serve
Once you’ve decorated your Halloween donut holes, allow the glaze to set for 15–20 minutes. Arrange the donut holes on a platter or skewer them on sticks for a fun donut pop presentation.
Variations of Halloween Dessert Donut Holes
- Baked Version: If you prefer to avoid frying, these donut holes can be baked for a healthier option.
- Flavored Glazes: Experiment with different flavors for the glazes, like chocolate, strawberry, or even caramel.
- Vegan or Gluten-Free: Substitute the flour for a gluten-free blend and swap the egg for a flax egg for a vegan version of these spooky donuts.
- Mini Donut Cakes: Instead of making small donut holes, you could use a mini donut pan to make little donut cakes.
FAQs
Can I make these Halloween donut holes ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the donut holes and glaze ahead of time. Store the donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The glaze can be stored in the fridge. Just reheat the glaze if it becomes too thick.
Can I use store-bought donut holes?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time or don’t feel like baking, store-bought donut holes work perfectly. Just focus on the fun part — decorating!
What if I don’t have food coloring?
If you don’t have food coloring, you can use other natural ingredients to color your glaze, such as beet juice for pink or purple or matcha powder for green.
Conclusion
These Halloween Dessert Donut Holes are the perfect treat for any spooky occasion! They’re simple to make, customizable, and most importantly, delicious. Whether you bake, air fry, or fry them, you’re sure to end up with a crowd-pleasing snack that will bring out the Halloween spirit in everyone. Plus, the decorating possibilities are endless, making it a fantastic activity for kids and adults alike. So, next time you’re looking for a fun Halloween dessert, don’t forget these little donut holes — they’re sure to be a hit!
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