Ghost Mini Donuts Recipe: Spooky, Fun Halloween Treats

1. Introduction

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your treats, and what could be more fun than Ghost Mini Donuts? These adorable little donuts are the perfect combination of spooky and sweet, with a soft, fluffy texture and a ghostly appearance that will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, baking with kids, or simply craving a fun fall treat, these mini donuts are sure to hit the mark.

What makes these Ghost Mini Donuts so amazing? They are not only a fun, festive way to celebrate Halloween, but they are also surprisingly easy to make. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can create donuts that look as though they’ve come straight from a haunted bakery. Plus, they are fully customizable—you can adjust the sweetness, add your favorite fillings, or even try out different glazes and toppings. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe is approachable and enjoyable.

In this post, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of making these Ghost Mini Donuts. From the ingredients to the techniques for perfecting the glaze, you’ll learn how to create this spooky treat that everyone will love. Let’s dive into this fun and simple Halloween bake!

2. Ingredients Breakdown

To make these Ghost Mini Donuts, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Don’t worry, you don’t need any fancy equipment or difficult-to-find items. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Flour

All-purpose flour is the base for the donut batter. It provides the structure and texture for the donuts. If you prefer a lighter texture, you can sift the flour before adding it to the mix.

Sugar

Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the donut batter. It adds the perfect level of sweetness without overpowering the flavors. You can also substitute this with a lower-sugar option or use coconut sugar for a healthier twist.

Baking Powder

Baking powder is essential for making the donuts rise and giving them that soft, fluffy texture. This is what helps create those light, airy little donuts that everyone loves.

Salt

A pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the flavor of the donuts.

Milk

Milk adds moisture to the batter, helping it come together smoothly. You can use any milk you prefer—dairy or non-dairy like almond, oat, or soy milk.

Eggs

Eggs act as a binder in the batter, helping the donuts hold their shape. They also provide richness and moisture. If you need a vegan option, you can substitute eggs with flax or chia eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water).

Butter

Melted butter gives the donuts a rich, buttery flavor. You can substitute it with vegetable oil if preferred, though butter provides the best flavor and texture.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the donuts and adds a sweet, aromatic note that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.

Powdered Sugar (for Glaze)

For the ghostly white glaze, powdered sugar is essential. It dissolves easily and provides the smooth texture that makes the glaze so delicious. You’ll mix it with milk to achieve the perfect consistency for dipping.

Black Icing or Chocolate (for Eyes)

To give your Ghost Mini Donuts their spooky faces, you’ll need black icing or melted chocolate. You can use store-bought black icing or make your own using a bit of powdered sugar and food coloring.

3. Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients, let’s make these Ghost Mini Donuts! This recipe is straightforward and easy, and the results are absolutely adorable.

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini donut pan with cooking spray or butter to ensure that the donuts don’t stick to the pan. A mini donut pan is ideal for making these bite-sized treats, but if you don’t have one, you can use a regular donut pan or even a muffin tin to make donut holes.

2. Make the Donut Batter

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of melted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until the batter comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts dense. The batter should be thick but smooth.

3. Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared mini donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full. If you want perfectly shaped donuts, you can use a piping bag or a plastic zip-top bag with the corner cut off to pipe the batter into the pan. This helps prevent mess and gives a neat, consistent look.

4. Bake the Donuts

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the donuts for 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The donuts should be golden brown on top and firm to the touch. Once done, remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Make the Ghost Glaze

While the donuts are cooling, it’s time to make the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of milk, adding more milk as needed until the glaze reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle over the donuts.

6. Dip the Donuts in the Glaze

Once the donuts have cooled slightly, dip the tops of each donut into the glaze, coating them with a nice, even layer. Allow any excess glaze to drip off, then place the donuts back on the wire rack to let the glaze set.

7. Add the Ghost Faces

Once the glaze has set, it’s time to give your donuts their spooky faces! Using black icing or melted chocolate, pipe two small dots for eyes on each donut. You can also use a toothpick or a small decorating tool to create a little smile or other facial details if you like.

8. Serve and Enjoy

Your Ghost Mini Donuts are now ready to serve! These spooky treats are perfect for Halloween parties, a fun family breakfast, or any fall gathering. Enjoy them while they’re fresh and delight in their adorably spooky appearance!

4. Tips and Variations

Expert Tips for the Best Ghost Mini Donuts:

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: To help the batter come together smoothly, make sure your butter, milk, and egg are at room temperature before mixing.
Don’t Overfill the Pan: Only fill the mini donut pan about 2/3 full to ensure the donuts bake evenly and have that perfect shape.
Let the Donuts Cool Completely: Make sure the donuts are cool before dipping them in the glaze. This helps prevent the glaze from melting into the warm donut and losing its shape.
Use a Piping Bag for Neat Glaze: For a cleaner finish, consider using a piping bag to apply the glaze to each donut rather than dipping them. This gives you more control over the coverage.

Variations:

Chocolate Ghost Mini Donuts: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter for a chocolatey version of these mini donuts. You can also drizzle the chocolate glaze instead of the white glaze for a different look.
Pumpkin Spice Ghost Mini Donuts: For a fall twist, add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice to the batter to create a warm, spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the glaze.
Vegan Ghost Mini Donuts: Make these donuts vegan by using plant-based milk, egg replacer, and vegan butter. You can also substitute the powdered sugar with a sugar alternative like stevia.
Mini Donut Holes: If you don’t have a mini donut pan, use a mini muffin pan to create donut holes. They’ll still look great and be just as delicious.

5. Serving Suggestions

These Ghost Mini Donuts are fun on their own, but they pair wonderfully with other spooky-themed snacks:

Themed Drinks: Serve these donuts with a spooky drink, such as a “Witch’s Brew” punch or a pumpkin spice latte for a cozy fall breakfast or dessert.
Halloween Party Platters: Include these donuts in a Halloween-themed snack platter, alongside other spooky treats like spider cupcakes, monster cookies, and creepy crawly jello.
Fun Garnishes: For added flair, serve the donuts on a Halloween-themed platter and sprinkle with Halloween sprinkles or edible glitter for a bit of sparkle.

6. Storage and Reheating Instructions

If you have any leftover Ghost Mini Donuts (which is unlikely!), here’s how to store and reheat them:

Storage

In the Fridge: Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want them to stay fresher for longer, you can refrigerate them, but keep in mind that they may lose some of their freshness.
Freezing: You can freeze the donuts for up to 1 month. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Reheating

Microwave: Reheat donuts in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm them up. This will help bring back some of their softness.
Oven: To restore their crispiness, place the donuts on a baking sheet and heat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.

7. Recipe Notes

Can Be Prepped Ahead of Time: You can prepare the donut batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just bake the donuts fresh when you’re ready to serve.
Best with Freshly Made: For the best texture and flavor, these donuts are best served fresh on the day they are made. If you store them, be sure to reheat them gently.
Use a Mini Donut Pan: A mini donut pan is ideal for these Ghost Mini Donuts, but if you don’t have one, you can use a mini muffin tin or even bake them as donut holes.

8. Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Nutrition Information	Per Serving
Calories	100 kcal
Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	3g
Carbs	13g
Sugar	8g
Fiber	1g
Protein	1g
Sodium	50mg
Cholesterol	15mg
Calcium	15mg
Iron	0.5mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

9. Recipe Card Summary

Course: Snack, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Halloween
Servings: 12 mini donuts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
Black icing or melted chocolate (for eyes)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease mini donut pan.
Mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt).
Combine wet ingredients (egg, milk, butter, vanilla).
Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until combined.
Fill donut pan and bake for 8-10 minutes.
Make glaze with powdered sugar and milk.
Dip donuts in glaze, then pipe eyes with black icing.

Notes:

Can be prepped ahead of time. Best served fresh.

Nutrition:

(See full table above)

10. Final Thoughts

These Ghost Mini Donuts are the perfect treat for Halloween or any spooky occasion. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and delicious to eat! Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a Halloween party, or simply indulging in a seasonal treat, these donuts are sure to be a hit. Let me know how they turn out for you in the comments below, and feel free to share your creative variations! Happy Halloween and happy baking!