Ghost Donuts
These Ghost Donuts are almost too cute to eat! Easy baked vanilla donuts with icing and candy eyes — the perfect Halloween dessert idea.
Mini Ghost Donuts for Halloween
Halloween will be here before you know it! If you’re looking for a fun classroom party snack, or something to serve at your next Halloween party, you can’t go wrong with this simple and easy ghost donut recipe.
Halloween doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun — and these Ghost Donuts prove it! First we bake up simple mini vanilla donuts, give them a quick dip in sweet vanilla icing, and make them come to life with candy eyeballs. The result? Spooky-cute little treats that everyone will love.
Because they’re baked (not fried), these donuts are light and fluffy…and they are super easy to whip up! No fancy equipment needed, just your trusty donut pan and a few pantry staples. Once cooled, decorating is as simple as dunking in glaze and adding the eyes — the kids can even help!
Whether you’re planning a classroom party, a neighborhood get-together, or just a cozy Halloween movie night at home, these Ghost Donuts are the perfect fit. They’re festive, fun, and just the right amount of spooky without being scary. And they taste delicious!
Ingredients
Affiliate links provided for your convenience in recreating this recipe; read our disclosure policy here. Full ingredient amount available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
For The Donut Batter
- All purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Salt
- Buttermilk
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Vanilla paste (This gives rich vanilla flavor, but you may use vanilla extract if that’s what you have on hand)
Frosting & Decorations
- Powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar
- Vanilla paste
- Milk (you can use any kind, but keep in mind that some plant-based milks may be off-white)
- Edible Eyes
Kitchen Equipment Used
- Mini Donut Pan (12 donuts per pan)
- Mixing Bowls
Instructions
To Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 12-count mini donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make the Batter – Whisk together the dry ingredients (except sugar) in one bowl. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and rest of wet ingredients, until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Bake the Donuts – Transfer the donut batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off and pipe into each donut cavity, filling about 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly when touched. Allow to cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Make the Icing – In a medium bowl, whisk together the icing ingredients. If the icing is too runny, add a little more powdered sugar. If the icing is too thick, stir in another Tablespoon of milk.
- Decorate – Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the icing, letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Place the donuts back on the wire rack, frosting side up. Press two candy eyeballs into the still-wet frosting. Allow to set.
Video Demo:
Prep Tips
- Donut Pan – We used a mini donut pan for this recipe. You could use a regular sized donut pan if that’s what you prefer (or what you have handy at home), however, the baking time will take about twice as long, 16-20 minutes.
- Storage – Keep any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They do not need to be refrigerated.
More Homemade Donut Recipes:
More Halloween Treats To Bake:
- Halloween Cheesecake Brownies
- Hocus Pocus Cookies
- Jack Skellington Pull-Apart Cupcakes
- Spooky Slime Cookies
- Halloween Blondies
- Slime Monster Cupcakes
- Creamsicle Flavored Mini Halloween Cupcakes
Ghost Donuts Recipe (Printable Recipe Card):
If you like this recipe, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Soccer Mom Blog
Ghost Donuts
Equipment
- Mini Donut Pan 12 donuts per pan
- Mixing bowls
- whisk
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste
Frosting & Decorations
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- ¼ cup milk
- Edible Eyes
Instructions
- To Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 12-count mini donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, vanilla pudding powder, and salt.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla paste until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Transfer the donut batter into a piping bag and pipe into each donut cavity, filling about 3/4 of the way full.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly when touched.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla paste, and milk until smooth. If the icing is too runny, add a little more powdered sugar. If the icing is too thick, stir in another Tablespoon of milk.
- Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the icing, letting any excess drip back into the bowl.
- Place the donuts back on the wire rack, frosting side up.
- Press two candy eyeballs into the still-wet frosting. Allow to set.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Be sure to pin our Ghost Donuts recipe on Pinterest:
You might also like:
- Easy Microwave Caramels - November 6, 2025
- Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Casserole - November 4, 2025
- Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - October 29, 2025
