Spooky Halloween Donuts
These Halloween donuts feature a crispy shell with a soft, tender interior, made by frying a simple spiced dough. The dough is rolled out, cut into circles, and fried until golden brown, then decorated for a fun, spooky effect. Their irregular shapes and playful decorations make them a festive treat for the season.
Equipment
- Rolling pin
- Donut cutter or two round cutters
- Deep-fry thermometer
- Slotted spoon
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder ensure it's fresh
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- Vegetable oil for frying enough to fill a deep pot
Instructions
- Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until well combined. The mixture should look crumbly and fragrant with spices.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, and melted butter in a separate bowl until smooth and slightly frothy, releasing a rich, buttery aroma.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold everything together with a spatula or spoon until just combined. The dough will be soft but manageable—avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for a minute just to bring it together, then flatten into a disc.
- Roll out the dough to about 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) thickness using a rolling pin, keeping the surface lightly floured to prevent sticking.
- Use a donut cutter or two round cutters to cut out shapes from the dough, creating circles and small holes for the centers—these will become your spooky donuts.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 180°C (356°F), checking with a thermometer to ensure precise temperature.
- Fry the donuts in batches, turning once with a slotted spoon, until they are golden brown and crispy—about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Listen for a gentle bubbling sound and watch for a deep, golden color.
- Remove the fried donuts with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Let them cool slightly—this helps the decorations stick better.
- Decorate your donuts with spooky faces, ghosts, or other fun Halloween motifs using icing, chocolate, or sprinkles. Let the decorations set for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your crispy, soft Halloween donuts—perfectly spooky and delicious for any festive celebration!
Notes
Ensure oil temperature stays steady to prevent burning or undercooking. Handle the dough gently to keep donuts tender, and decorate once cooled for best adhesion.