Spider Donuts

Halloween baking just got more fun with these spooky Spider Donuts! These tasty treats are super easy to make and really yummy. Each soft chocolate donut is covered in a bright green glaze with a cute chocolate spider on top.

These homemade donuts are seriously good – moist, rich, and totally chocolatey. Decorating them is a blast too! With some Halloween sprinkles and chocolate truffles, you can create a spooky snack that's perfect for Halloween parties or just a fun fall treat.

I started making these Spider Donuts a few years ago for my grandkids, and now they're a Halloween tradition in our house. What I love most is how they turn a regular chocolate donut into something special for the season. The green glaze really makes them pop!

Don’t be surprised by how quickly they disappear. I once made a batch for a neighborhood block party, thinking they'd last all evening. They were gone within the first hour! Now I always make extra.

Don't worry if you're not an expert baker. These Halloween donuts are pretty forgiving. Even if your spiders end up looking a bit wonky, they'll still taste great. And let's be honest, slightly misshapen spiders might even look spookier!

These Halloween Spider donuts are great to serve alongside this Chocolate Spider Web Halloween Bark or these delicious Candy Corn Cookies.

Ingredient Notes

See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• All-purpose flour - Regular all-purpose flour works great here. No need for fancy cake flour.
• Cocoa powder - Use unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed or natural cocoa both work well.
• Butter - Unsalted butter is best so you can control the salt. Make sure it's at room temperature for easier mixing.
• Milk - Whole milk gives the best flavor, but 2% works too if that's what you have on hand.
• Green food coloring - Gel food coloring gives the brightest color without thinning the glaze. A little goes a long way!
• Dark chocolate Lindor truffles - These make perfect spider bodies. If you can't find them, any round chocolate candy will do.
• Halloween sprinkles - Pick any fun mix you like. Orange and black sprinkles look especially festive.

How To Make Spider Donuts

Let's get started on our spooky Spider Donuts! First, preheat your oven to 350°F. While it's heating up, grab your donut pan and give it a good spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Now for the dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder. This helps make sure everything's well mixed and there are no lumpy bits.

In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs until they're well combined.

Add your dry ingredients and 1 cup of milk to the wet ingredients. Beat until the batter is smooth and creamy.

Next, get that batter into the pan. An easy trick is to spoon it into a large ziplock bag, snip off a corner, and squeeze it into the donut pan. It's like using a piping bag and makes less mess!

Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 17-18 minutes. You'll know they're done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

While the donuts cool, let's make our green glaze. Mix 2 cups of powdered sugar with 4 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add green food coloring a little at a time until you get a nice, spooky shade of green.

Once the donuts are cool, it's time to get messy! Dip the top of each donut into the green glaze, then place it back on the rack. Sprinkle on some Halloween sprinkles before the glaze sets.

Now for the spiders. Mix the remaining powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and milk to make a chocolate glaze. Put this in a small piping bag or another ziplock with the corner snipped off.

Pipe spider legs onto each donut, then top with a chocolate truffle for the body. Don't worry if they're not perfect – wonky spiders are just as spooky!

Let everything set for a bit, and there you have it – Spooky Spider Donuts ready for the party!

Decoration Variations

• Spider eyes: Use small candy eyes to give your spiders some personality. Attach them to the chocolate truffle body with a tiny dab of icing or melted chocolate.
• Colorful spiders: Try purple or orange glaze on some of your donuts. A mix of colors looks great on a Halloween dessert tray.

Storing and Freezing

Store: Keep your donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If it's warm, store them in the fridge to prevent the glaze from melting.

Freeze: Place the donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They'll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Don't overmix the batter. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined to keep your donuts tender.
• For easy glazing, put a sheet of parchment paper under your cooling rack to catch drips.
• If your glaze gets too thick, add a tiny bit more milk. If it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
• Work quickly when adding the sprinkles. The glaze sets fast!
• For neater spider legs, practice piping on a piece of parchment paper first.

The glaze is too runny. How can I fix it?

If your glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the right consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

My spider legs look messy. Any tips?

Practice piping the legs on a piece of parchment paper first. If you're still struggling, you can use thin licorice strings for the legs instead.

Spooky Spider Donuts are a fun and tasty Halloween treat. With their rich chocolate flavor, bright glaze, and cute spider decorations, these donuts add a festive touch to any Halloween party. They're simple to make and even more fun to eat!