These fun Monster Donut Eyeballs are perfect for a spooky treat! Soft donuts are transformed into creepy, cute monsters with colorful icing and candy eyes. They’re easy to make and super entertaining!
Honestly, who wouldn’t want a monster for dessert? I love serving these at parties—they’re always a hit! Plus, making them is so simple; kids can help too and have a blast creating their own designs!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Donuts: Plain or glazed donuts serve as the base. If you can’t find them, you can use store-bought or make your own baked donuts. Any soft, sweet donut works well for this fun treat!
Powdered Sugar: This is the main ingredient for the glaze. If you’re out, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar until very fine. Just be sure to sift it to avoid lumps.
Candy Eyeballs: These are essential for the monster look! If you can’t find them, chocolate-covered candies or even marshmallows cut into circles work as fun alternatives.
Food Coloring: Red gel food coloring is perfect for the veins. If you don’t have it, you can use any type of liquid food coloring, but gel colors tend to be more vibrant. Don’t stress about colors—choose what you have!
How Do You Get the Perfect Glaze on Your Donuts?
Creating a smooth glaze is key to making these donuts look great. Here’s how to nail it:
- Whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until smooth. Add white food coloring for that bright effect if desired.
- The glaze should be thick but pourable, so adjust milk until you find the right consistency that will coat the donuts without dripping straight off.
- It’s important to dip the donuts right after making the glaze while it’s still a bit runny for the best adhesion and finish.
Allow the donuts to set on a cooling rack before adding the eyeballs—this way, they don’t slide off! By taking your time with the glaze, your Monster Donut Eyeballs will be both eye-catching and delicious!
Monster Donut Eyeballs
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Donuts: 12 plain or glazed donuts (regular-sized)
- White Glaze:
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 5–6 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- White food coloring (optional, to get a bright white glaze)
- Toppings:
- Candy eyeballs (large size, for topping)
- Red gel food coloring or edible red writing icing (for bloodshot veins)
- Yellow and orange food coloring (optional for variation in vein color)
- Crushed cookie crumbs or toffee bits (optional, for texture on some donuts)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe should take you about 30 minutes for preparation, along with an additional 30 minutes for the glaze to fully set. In total, you’re looking at roughly 1 hour from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the White Glaze:
In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and add white food coloring if you want a vibrant glaze. Mix until smooth, adjusting the milk as needed to achieve a thick but pourable consistency. This will ensure the glaze coats the donuts perfectly without running off.
2. Dip the Donuts:
Hold each donut by the bottom and dip the top half into the white glaze. Allow any excess glaze to drip off before placing the donut on a cooling rack or a piece of parchment paper. This helps the glaze set nicely!
3. Add Candy Eyes:
While the glaze is still slightly wet, gently press a large candy eyeball into the center of each donut’s glazed top. This will help ensure that the eyeballs stay securely in place!
4. Create Bloodshot Veins:
Using red gel food coloring or edible red writing icing, draw thin squiggly lines that start from the edge of the candy eyeball and stretch outward across the white glaze. This mimics the look of bloodshot veins. For extra fun, use a fine brush or toothpick to add some yellow or orange veins on a few donuts!
5. Optional Crunchy Donut Variation:
If you’d like to get creative, while the glaze is still wet, sprinkle crushed cookie crumbs or toffee bits on some of the donuts to add texture and a bit of monster “flesh” appeal!
6. Set the Donuts:
Let the donuts rest for about 30 minutes, or until the glaze has fully hardened. This step is key for keeping everything in place!
7. Serve:
Once the glaze has set, arrange your Monster Donut Eyeballs on a serving tray or in fun boxes. They make for a spooky yet delightful dessert for any Halloween celebration or monster-themed party!
Enjoy these eerie delights—your guests will love the fun and creativity behind each delicious bite!
Can I Use Store-Bought Donuts for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought plain or glazed donuts work perfectly and save time. Just make sure they’re fresh so they hold up well with the glaze and toppings.
How Do I Store Leftover Monster Donut Eyeballs?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They are best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll still be delicious for a short time!
Can I Make the Glaze Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the glaze ahead of time! Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, let it sit at room temperature for a while to make sure it’s pourable again—if needed, stir in a little extra milk.
What If I Don’t Have Candy Eyeballs?
No problem! You can substitute candy eyeballs with chocolate-covered candies, marshmallows cut into circles, or even gummy candies. Get creative to give your monsters a unique look!