These fun Monster Donut Eyeballs are sure to make your treats scream with delight! They’re made from colorful donuts topped with googly eyes that make them look silly and spooky.
Making these is a blast, and kids love to help! I like to set up a decorating station with sprinkles and frosting. Everyone gets to create their own funny monster—how cool is that?
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Donuts: You can use plain or glazed small round donuts for this recipe. If you can’t find those, donut holes work great too! If you’d like a healthier twist, consider baked donuts instead of fried.
Candy melts: White candy melts are perfect for eyeball bases. You might also try almond bark or white chocolate chips if you don’t have candy melts. For the colors, use food coloring mixed into white chocolate if candy melts aren’t available.
Edible eyeballs: There are many fun options for the eyeballs! If you can’t find edible eyeballs, use large round sugar pearls for the iris and a bit of black fondant or an edible ink pen for pupils. This way, you can customize the look!
Red food coloring: Gel food coloring gives more vibrant colors without altering the texture. If you don’t have it, regular liquid food coloring works too—just use less to avoid thinning your mixture!
How Do I Get Perfectly Coated Donuts?
Coating donuts is a key step for making those spooky eyeballs pop. Here’s how to do it right:
- Start by melting your candy melts in short 30-second bursts in a microwave. Stir in between to avoid burning. The melts should be smooth and pourable.
- Dip each donut quickly, making sure it’s fully covered. Let excess coating drip off before placing it on the parchment paper.
- Try to work quickly when dipping so the coating stays smooth and shiny. If you’re adding sprinkles, do it immediately after you dip so they stick!
Let the donuts cool completely in the fridge before adding any eyeball decorations. This helps everything set and makes it easier to handle.
Monster Donut Eyeballs
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 12 plain or glazed small round donuts (donut holes can also be used)
- 2 cups white candy melts or white chocolate
- 1 cup colored candy melts (orange, brown, black, or any spooky colors)
- 1 tsp red food coloring gel or edible paint
- Edible eyeball decorations, or large round sugar pearls (for iris) and black fondant or edible ink pen (for pupils)
- Red edible food marker or fine brush and red gel color (for bloodshot veins)
- Edible glitter or colored sugar sprinkles (optional, for texture and decoration)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take about 30 minutes to prepare, plus an additional 15-20 minutes to chill the donuts. So, in just under an hour, you can have a creepy but fun treat ready to impress at any Halloween gathering!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Workspace:
Begin by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is where you will place your dipped donuts to set, so make sure you have enough space and a heat-resistant surface.
2. Melt the Candy Coatings:
Grab a microwave-safe bowl and melt the white candy melts or white chocolate. Do this by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring well in between each burst until it’s completely smooth and ready for dipping.
3. Coat the Donuts:
Take half of the donuts and dip them directly into the melted white coating, ensuring that they are completely covered. Lift the donuts out and let any excess coating drip off. Carefully place them on the parchment paper to dry.
4. Add Some Color:
Next, melt the colored candy melts in separate bowls. Dip the remaining donuts into these spooky colors such as orange, chocolate brown, or black. As soon as they are dipped, sprinkle with edible glitter or colored sugar sprinkles for a fun, textured look!
5. Let Them Set:
Once all the donuts are coated, you’ll want to chill them in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the layers set properly and make it easier to decorate.
6. Create the Eyeball Effect:
While the coating is still slightly tacky, place one edible eyeball decoration right on top of each donut. If you’re using sugar pearls for the iris, attach them with a little dab of melted candy to help them stick. For pupils, use black fondant or an edible ink pen to create that adorable, yet spooky look!
7. Add Bloodshot Details:
With a fine brush or an edible food marker dipped in red gel coloring, carefully paint bloodshot veins radiating from the iris on the white donuts. Be creative—every monster is unique!
8. Final Touches:
For colored donuts, you can lightly add red streaks or veining to enhance that eerie effect. Take a moment to make sure everything looks just right.
9. Let Everything Dry:
Once you’ve finished decorating, allow the donuts to dry completely before serving them to ensure your fun creations hold together.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Arrange your monster donut eyeballs on a spooky platter and present them proudly at your Halloween party. Watch everyone’s eyes light up as they enjoy your delightfully creepy treats!
Can I Use Any Type of Donuts?
Absolutely! You can use plain, glazed, or even donut holes for this recipe. Just ensure they’re small and round to create the best eyeball effect!
How Can I Store Leftover Monster Donut Eyeballs?
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you prefer, you can refrigerate them, but be aware that the coating may become less shiny.
What If I Don’t Have Candy Melts?
No worries! You can substitute with white chocolate chips or almond bark. Just melt them carefully, following the same method—make sure to stir well to achieve a nice consistency for dipping.
Can I Make These Donuts Vegan?
Yes, you can! Use vegan donuts and dairy-free candy melts or chocolate. Additionally, make sure the edible decorations you choose align with your diet!
