There’s something magical about Halloween treats—especially when they’re as fun to make as they are to eat! These Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts have become a yearly tradition in my house. My kids go wild for the spooky web design (and, let’s be honest, so do I). The best part? They’re way easier than they look. Just soft, chocolatey donuts dipped in rich dark chocolate, then swirled with a simple white chocolate web. No fancy skills needed—just a steady hand and a little creativity. Trust me, these disappear faster than a ghost in the night at our Halloween parties!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts
Seriously, what’s not to love about these adorable donuts? Here’s why they’ve become my go-to Halloween treat year after year:
- Easiest Halloween hack ever – The spider web design looks fancy but takes seconds to create with just a toothpick
- Kid-approved baking project – My little monsters love helping pipe the chocolate webs (and licking the bowls after)
- Perfectly soft texture – These bake up light and cakey, not dense like some homemade donuts
- Total showstoppers – The web design gets gasps every time I bring them to parties
- No deep frying needed – Baked means less mess and guilt (so you can eat two… or three)
Ingredients for Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these spooktacular treats – I promise it’s all basic pantry stuff! The key is measuring carefully (I learned the hard way that eyeballing cocoa powder never ends well).
- 175g caster sugar – Not packed! Just spoon it lightly into your measuring cup
- 30ml vegetable oil – Any neutral oil works, but I love sunflower for its lightness
- 175ml milk – Cow’s milk makes them extra rich, but almond milk works great too
- 2 large eggs – Room temperature eggs blend better – just set them out 30 minutes early
- 25g cocoa powder – Dutch-process gives deeper chocolate flavor, but regular works
- 200g self-raising flour – The rising agent is built right in – no extra baking powder needed
- Butter or baking spread – For greasing your tins (don’t skip this or you’ll have donut casualties!)
- 250g dark chocolate – Chopped bars melt smoother than chips
- 50g white chocolate – Higher cocoa percentage means cleaner web lines
See? Nothing weird or hard-to-find – just simple ingredients that transform into something magical!
Equipment You’ll Need
Before we dive in, let’s gather our tools – nothing fancy, I promise! These spider web donuts come together with basic kitchen gear you probably already have:
- Donut tins (2 x 6-hole) – The nonstick kind makes life easier
- Whisk – My trusty old balloon whisk never fails me
- Piping bag or jug – A zip-top bag with the corner snipped works in a pinch
- Wire rack – Essential for cooling and glazing
- Baking tray – To catch chocolate drips (saves cleanup!)
- Microwave-safe bowls – Small ones for melting chocolate
- Cocktail stick – Our magic wand for creating spider webs
Got a stand mixer? Great for the batter! But honestly, a bowl and spoon work just fine – these donuts are all about keeping it simple and fun.
How to Make Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts
Okay, let’s get to the fun part! I’ve made these spider web donuts so many times I could probably do it in my sleep – but don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step. The key is taking it slow and enjoying the process (and maybe sneaking a few chocolate chips while you work).
Preparing the Donut Batter
First things first – preheat that oven to 160°C fan (350°F)! While it’s warming up, whisk together all the wet ingredients – sugar, oil, milk, and eggs – until they’re completely smooth and slightly frothy. In another bowl, sift together the cocoa powder and self-raising flour. Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones. Here’s my golden rule: stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears. A few tiny lumps are fine – overmixing makes tough donuts, and nobody wants that!
Baking and Cooling
Now, fill those greased donut tins about 3/4 full – I use a piping bag for neatness, but a spoon works too. Pop them in the oven for exactly 12 minutes (set a timer – they go from perfect to dry fast!). They’re done when they spring back lightly when touched. Transfer them immediately to a wire rack – letting them sit in the hot tin makes the bottoms soggy, and we want that perfect texture!
Decorating with Spider Web Design
Here’s where the magic happens! Melt your dark chocolate in 20-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each. Dip each cooled donut top into the chocolate, letting excess drip off. Now melt the white chocolate (same careful method!) and transfer to a piping bag or ziplock with a tiny corner snipped. Pipe three concentric circles on each donut, then quickly drag a cocktail stick from center to edge to create the web. Pro tip: work on one donut at a time – the chocolate sets fast! Let them rest until the chocolate firms up (about 30 minutes at room temp, or 10 in the fridge if you’re impatient like me).
Tips for Perfect Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts
After making these donuts more times than I can count (and eating plenty of “test batches”), here are my hard-earned tricks for picture-perfect results every time:
- Microwave magic: Melt chocolate in 20-second bursts, stirring between each – burnt chocolate is a tragedy we can avoid!
- Chill first: 10 minutes in the fridge firms up the donuts for cleaner chocolate lines
- Toothpick trick: Use a dry toothpick (not the one you just used for stirring chocolate) for the finest web lines
- Timing is everything: Pipe webs immediately after dipping – the dark chocolate needs to be wet for the design to work
- Stress-free piping: If your hand shakes making circles (mine does intuitively), just say they’re “extra-spooky” uneven webs!
Variations of Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, the fun really begins! Here are my favorite ways to mix things up when we’re feeling extra creative:
- Milk chocolate lovers – Swap the dark chocolate glaze for milk chocolate (though the webs won’t pop quite as dramatically)
- Citrus twist – Add 1/2 teaspoon orange extract to the batter for a chocolate-orange Halloween treat
- Colorful webs – Tint white chocolate with food coloring for pink Valentine’s webs or green Christmas webs
- Crunchy surprise – Sprinkle crushed cookies or candy eyes on the wet glaze for extra spooky texture
The best part? Every variation still disappears just as fast as the original at our house!
Storing and Serving Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts
Here’s the good news – if by some miracle you have leftovers (we rarely do!), these donuts keep beautifully in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Just be warned – the chocolate might get a little soft at room temperature, especially if your kitchen’s warm. I like to serve them as-is for maximum spooky impact, but they’re extra magical with a steaming mug of coffee – the bitter brew cuts through all that chocolatey sweetness perfectly. Pro tip: If you’re gifting them, pack them in single layers with parchment between to keep those spider webs looking sharp!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating spider web donuts for their health benefits! But for those who like to know (or need to plan their indulgences), here’s the scoop per donut: about 210 calories, 9g fat, 30g carbs, and 4g protein. Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary slightly depending on your ingredient brands. My philosophy? Enjoy every delicious bite and maybe take an extra lap around the block afterward!
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked about these spider web donuts all the time – here are the answers to the questions that pop up most often in my kitchen and DMs:
Can I use a different glaze? Absolutely! Milk chocolate or even caramel works, but the white spider webs won’t stand out as dramatically against lighter colors. For the best contrast, stick with dark chocolate as the base.
Can I make these ahead? You bet! Bake the donuts a day early and store them undecorated in an airtight container. Just glaze and decorate them the day you plan to serve for that fresh-baked texture and crisp chocolate.
Can I freeze them? I don’t recommend it – the chocolate tends to “sweat” and get blotchy when thawed. These are so quick to make, it’s better to bake them fresh when the craving hits!
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Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts: Easy 12-Minute Magic
Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts are a fun and festive treat perfect for Halloween or any occasion. These soft, chocolatey donuts are dipped in dark chocolate and decorated with a white chocolate spider web design.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
Ingredients
- 175 g Caster sugar
- 30 ml Vegetable oil
- 175 ml Milk (cow’s or plant milk)
- 2 Eggs
- 25 g Cocoa powder
- 200 g Self raising flour
- Butter or baking spread for greasing
- 250 g Dark chocolate
- 50 g White chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 160C Fan/350F/Gas Mark 4 and grease two 6-hole donut tins with butter or baking spread.
- Mix together the caster sugar, milk, vegetable oil, and eggs in a bowl with a whisk.
- Add the self raising flour and cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.
- Divide the batter between the tins using a piping bag, jug, or spoon.
- Bake for 12 minutes, then remove from the tin and cool on a rack.
- Melt the dark and white chocolate separately in a microwave, heating in short bursts and stirring in between.
- Place the donuts on a rack over a baking tray.
- Dip the top of each donut in dark chocolate and return to the rack.
- Pipe three thin circles of white chocolate on top, then drag a cocktail stick through to create a spider web effect.
- Let the chocolate set at room temperature or in the fridge.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use a piping bag for a cleaner batter transfer.
- Microwave chocolate carefully to avoid burning.
- Chilling the donuts speeds up chocolate setting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Share Your Spider Web Chocolate-Glazed Donuts
I’d love to see your spooky creations! Tag me @FrostyRecipes on Instagram so I can cheer you on – or leave a star rating if these donuts cast their web of deliciousness on your family too!
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