Name: Halloween Baked Donuts with Sweet Glaze and White Chocolate Decorations Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted); 1 egg; 1/3 cup + 1 1/2 tablespoon milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup milk plus more if needed; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Halloween purple (or orange or green) food coloring; 6 oz white melting chocolate; Piping bag; Small round tip

If you’re like me and love a festive treat that’s both fun to make and absolutely delicious, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Halloween Baked Donuts with Sweet Glaze and White Chocolate Decorations Recipe. These baked donuts are wonderfully tender and moist, and topping them with a sweet glaze plus white chocolate decorations lets you get creative and spooky without the mess of frying. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through how to nail these donuts every single time—with tips I’ve picked up along the way.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortlessly Delicious: These baked donuts give you all the cozy sweetness of traditional donuts without the hassle of frying, making snack time easier and cleaner.
So Many Ways to Customize: The white chocolate decorations and simple glaze let you dress these donuts up as cute or spooky as you want for Halloween festivities.
Perfect Texture: I’ve found this batter yields wonderfully tender, moist donuts that stay soft for days if stored right.
Family Favorite: My kids (and frankly, all my friends) go crazy for these, making Halloween mornings extra special every year.

The image shows six doughnuts on a gold cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each doughnut has a smooth glaze layer in bright colors: two orange, two green, and two purple. On top of the glaze, there is a white icing decoration designed to look like spider webs, with lines and curves spreading from the center hole to the outer edge of each doughnut. In the background, on a white plate, there is another purple-glazed doughnut with the same white web icing, resting on an orange cloth napkin. Small black paper cutouts shaped like bats and a spider are placed on the white marbled surface around the rack. A glass of milk is partially visible on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun because these simple pantry staples come together to make magic. I always recommend fresh eggs and good-quality butter for best flavor, and don’t skimp on the powdered sugar for that perfectly smooth, sweet glaze.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure you need while keeping the donuts tender.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps get a lovely crumb in the baked donut.
Baking powder: The rising agent that ensures your donuts get that light, fluffy texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Unsalted butter: I melt it to add richness without making the batter dense.
Egg: Gives structure and moisture; you’ll love how it holds everything together.
Milk: Adds moisture—using a bit more or less can adjust the batter consistency, so keep an eye on it.
Vanilla extract: A must for that warm, homey flavor.
Powdered sugar: Essential for making the sweet glaze that’s smooth and glossy.
Food coloring (Halloween Purple, orange, or green): Pick your favorite festive colors to make these donuts pop.
White melting chocolate: Perfect for creating fun, spooky decorations with ease.
Piping bag and small round tip: Helps you get precise with your white chocolate designs.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own each Halloween. Sometimes I mix up the glaze color, other times I add some festive sprinkles on top before the glaze sets. Don’t hesitate to experiment—this recipe is super forgiving and playful!

Spiced Halloween Baked Donuts: I once added a pinch of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to the batter, and it took the donuts to a whole new fall flavor level that my family adored.
Gluten-Free Version: Swapping all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend works well here, just check that your blend includes xanthan gum for structure.
Dairy-Free Alternative: Use plant-based milk and vegan butter to make this recipe allergy-friendly while keeping it moist and delicious.
Color Swaps: Experiment with different food coloring shades to match your party theme or kids’ favorite Halloween colors.

How to Make Halloween Baked Donuts with Sweet Glaze and White Chocolate Decorations Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt in a large bowl. This step makes sure everything is evenly distributed, which helps the donuts bake uniformly. I like using a whisk here to break up any clumps in the flour—trust me, your batter will be smoother and your donuts fluffier.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter (make sure it’s not hot, or it can cook the egg), 1 large egg, 1/3 cup plus 1½ tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. The ratio of milk is key here; too much can make the batter runny, so start with the smaller amount and adjust slightly if needed to get a thick but pourable consistency.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into your dry ingredients mixture and gently fold them together with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix—it’s tempting, but it will make the donuts tough. A few lumps are okay! This is one of those times when less is definitely more.

Step 4: Fill Your Donut Pan

Grease your donut pan lightly or use a non-stick spray, then spoon the batter in evenly, filling each ring about ¾ full. I find using a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with the tip cut off makes this step cleaner and more precise. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 5: Prepare the Sweet Glaze

While the donuts cool, whisk together 3 cups powdered sugar with ¼ cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until you get a smooth glaze. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk; too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. For Halloween vibes, stir in your choice of purple, orange, or green food coloring.

Step 6: Glaze and Decorate with White Chocolate

Dip the top of each cooled donut into the colored glaze and place them on a wire rack to set. While the glaze is still wet, add fun white chocolate decorations. Melt 6 ounces of white melting chocolate gently in a microwave or double boiler, then transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. I like to freehand little spider webs, ghosts, or faces—it’s easier than it sounds and always impresses guests!

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Baked Donuts with Sweet Glaze and White Chocolate Decorations Recipe

Donut Texture Magic: Resist the urge to overmix your batter; stopping when ingredients just combine keeps your donuts tender and light.
Cooling is Crucial: Make sure donuts cool completely before glazing so the glaze sets nicely rather than melting too fast.
White Chocolate Decorating: Use a small round piping tip for detailed designs, and practice a few strokes on parchment before decorating your donuts.
Glaze Consistency: Keep your glaze thick enough to coat without dripping off, adding liquid or sugar slowly to find that sweet spot.

How to Serve Halloween Baked Donuts with Sweet Glaze and White Chocolate Decorations Recipe

Six colorful donuts sit on a gold wire cooling rack placed on a white marbled surface. The donuts come in three colors: bright green, pastel purple, and bright orange, each topped with white icing shaped like spider webs. The donuts are arranged in two neat rows of three, alternating colors. Around the rack are small bowls of orange and black sprinkles, a glass of milk, and Halloween decorations feature small black spiders and black bat shapes scattered on the white marbled surface. A woman’s hand holds a black plastic snake near the top left donut. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like adding a little extra sparkle—some edible glitter or tiny Halloween-themed sprinkles make these donuts look festive and fun. Sometimes, I’ll even add a few colorful sugar crystals right before the glaze sets so they stick just right.

Side Dishes

This treat pairs perfectly with a hot cup of spiced cider or a cozy mug of pumpkin spice latte. If you’re serving at a party, having some fresh fruit or a lightly spiced nuts bowl balances the sweetness delightfully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a Halloween party, I like arranging these donuts on a tiered cake stand decked out with faux spider webs and mini pumpkins. Another fun idea: place them on a chalkboard tray with spooky messages written around them. Trust me, the presentation will impress even your pickiest guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay soft and delicious for about 2 days. I usually separate layers with parchment paper to avoid smudging the glaze and decorations.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, I recommend skipping the glaze and chocolate decorations. Freeze the plain donuts in a sealed container or bag, then thaw at room temperature before glazing and decorating freshly—that way, they look and taste their best.

Reheating

Warm leftover donuts in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked softness. Just be careful not to overheat, or the glaze might melt. If you’ve frozen them, let them fully thaw first for best results.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

While a donut pan gives you that classic shape and helps them bake evenly, you can use a muffin tin and create holes by placing a small parchment paper circle in the middle, or shape the batter by hand and bake small rounds on a sheet pan. Just keep an eye on bake time since shapes will vary.
Is it okay to use regular chocolate instead of melting chocolate for decorations?

Melting chocolate is formulated to melt smoothly and harden with shine, which makes decorating easier. If you only have regular chocolate, you can still use it but temper it gently and expect the finish to be less glossy and possibly more prone to breaking.
How do I avoid the glaze dripping off my donuts?

Let your donuts cool completely before glazing, and make sure your glaze isn’t too thin—aim for a thick, pourable consistency. If it’s too runny, add a little more powdered sugar to thicken it up.
Can I prepare the glaze and decorations ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the glaze and melt the white chocolate ahead, storing them at room temperature or slightly warm place. Just give the chocolate a gentle reheat if it starts to harden before decorating.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Halloween Baked Donuts with Sweet Glaze and White Chocolate Decorations Recipe brings a festive spirit right into the kitchen. It’s a wonderful way to get everyone excited about baking and celebrating together, and you’ll enjoy how easy it is to customize depending on your mood and occasion. When I first made these, they became an instant family tradition, and I can’t wait for you to try them and see how they brighten your Halloween celebrations too. Trust me, these donuts will quickly become one of those recipes you turn to year after year!