I’ve always believed that the best holiday traditions are the ones you can eat. These Spiderweb Donuts are a perfect example a recipe that started as a fun experiment and quickly became a non-negotiable part of our Halloween celebrations. There’s something so satisfying about turning a simple baked chocolate donut into a spooky little work of art. The rich, dark chocolate glaze topped with a delicate, handcrafted web makes them look incredibly impressive, but they are secretly so simple to create.
You are going to absolutely love making these donuts. They’re baked, not fried, which makes them wonderfully soft and cakey, with a deep chocolate flavor that’s not overly sweet. The real fun, however, is in the decoration. Drawing on the spiderwebs is a wonderfully meditative process, and it’s a perfect kitchen project to do with kids. This is more than just a recipe; it’s an opportunity to create a fun, edible craft that will be the star of any Halloween breakfast or party.
Ingredients
for the donut
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- ¾ cup Milk
- 2 large Eggs
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 ⅔ cups All-Purpose Flour*
- 2 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder*
- ½ teaspoon Salt*
- Butter or nonstick spray for greasing the pan
for the decoration
- 1 ½ cups (9 oz) Dark Chocolate Chips or chopped dark chocolate
- ⅓ cup (3 oz) White Chocolate Chips or chopped white chocolate
How to Make These Spiderweb Donuts
Let’s get into the delightfully spooky process of making these chocolatey treats.
Step 1: Mix the Donut Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a donut pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, milk, and eggs until they are well combined. Sift in the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir everything together until you have a smooth, rich chocolate batter. Be careful not to overmix; just stir until the streaks of flour disappear.
Step 2: Bake the Donuts
Carefully spoon or pipe the batter into your prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. This will give them enough room to rise without overflowing. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Create the Chocolate Glaze
While the donuts are cooling, it’s time to prepare the glaze. Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. In a separate small bowl, do the same with the white chocolate chips. This will be your “ink” for the webs.
Step 4: Decorate Your Spiderweb Donuts
Dip the top of each cooled donut into the melted dark chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them back on the wire rack. While the dark chocolate is still wet, transfer your melted white chocolate into a small piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Carefully draw 3-4 concentric circles on top of the dark chocolate glaze. Then, using a toothpick, gently drag lines from the center circle out to the edge to create that classic spiderweb effect. Repeat for all the donuts and let the chocolate set completely.
My Best Tips For These Spiderweb Donuts
My Secret for Perfect Batter Transfer
Filling a donut pan can be a messy business. My go-to method is to transfer the batter into a large zip-top bag, press out the air, and snip off one of the bottom corners. This turns the bag into a makeshift piping bag, allowing you to fill the donut cavities cleanly and evenly every single time.
The Key to a Smooth Glaze
For a beautifully smooth, professional-looking glaze, make sure your dark chocolate is fully melted and lump-free. If it seems a little too thick for dipping, you can stir in a tiny bit of vegetable oil (about ½ teaspoon) to thin it out. This will give your donuts that perfect, glossy finish.
Don’t Rush the Cooling
It can be tempting to start decorating as soon as the donuts are out of the oven, but patience is key here. The donuts must be completely cool before you dip them in the chocolate glaze. If they are even slightly warm, the glaze will melt right off instead of clinging to the donut.
Fun Variations
While the classic chocolate and white chocolate combo is stunning, feel free to get creative with your spiderweb donuts. For a ghoulish green web, you can add a drop of green food coloring to the melted white chocolate. You could also start with a white chocolate base glaze and draw on a dark chocolate web for a reverse effect. For a bit of texture and sparkle, add some black or orange sprinkles over the donuts while the glaze is still wet.
FAQs
Can I make these without a donut pan?
Yes! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a standard muffin tin. Simply fill each muffin cup about halfway and bake. They’ll be more like “donut muffins,” but they will still be delicious and perfect for decorating.
How do I store the finished donuts?
These donuts are best enjoyed the day they are made, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The glaze may lose a bit of its shine, but they will still taste fantastic.
What if my white chocolate seizes up?
White chocolate can be a bit finicky. To prevent it from seizing (becoming thick and grainy), make sure no water gets into the bowl while melting. If it does seize, you can sometimes save it by stirring in a very small amount of hot milk or vegetable oil until it becomes smooth again.
Baked Spiderweb Donuts
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
Description
Create the perfect spooky treat with these baked Spiderweb Donuts! Featuring a soft, cakey chocolate donut with a rich, dark chocolate glaze, these impressive-looking desserts are surprisingly simple to make. This recipe is a fun, edible craft perfect for a Halloween breakfast or festive party.
Ingredients
For the donut
¾ cup Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
¾ cup Milk
2 large Eggs
¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 ⅔ cups All-Purpose Flour
2 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
½ teaspoon Salt
Butter or nonstick spray for greasing the pan
For the decoration
1 ½ cups (9 oz) Dark Chocolate Chips or chopped dark chocolate
⅓ cup (3 oz) White Chocolate Chips or chopped white chocolate
Instructions
Mix the Donut Batter:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, milk, and eggs. Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt, then stir until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.
Bake the Donuts:
Pipe or spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Create the Chocolate Glaze:
Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until smooth. In a separate small bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in the same manner.
Decorate Your Spiderweb Donuts:
Dip the top of each cooled donut into the melted dark chocolate. While the glaze is still wet, use a piping bag to draw 3-4 concentric circles with the melted white chocolate. Immediately use a toothpick to drag lines from the center outwards to create a spiderweb effect. Let the chocolate set completely before serving.
Notes
Storage:
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
No Donut Pan? No Problem:
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a standard muffin tin. Fill each cup about halfway to create “donut muffins” that are equally delicious and easy to decorate.
Smooth Glaze Tip:
If your melted dark chocolate seems too thick for dipping, stir in about ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil to thin it out for a perfectly smooth, glossy finish.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: spiderweb donuts, Halloween donuts, baked chocolate donuts, spooky treats, Halloween breakfast, chocolate glaze recipe, easy Halloween recipe
