Save A whimsical fusion of moist coffee-flavored muffins and playful donuts, topped with luscious coffee cream and decorated for a monster-themed treat perfect for parties or special occasions.
I created these monster muffin donuts for my nephew's Halloween party last fall and they were a huge hit with the kids. The playful monster faces sparked everyone's creativity and the coffee flavor pleased the adults too.
Ingredients
- Muffin Donut Base: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted), 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup brewed strong coffee (cooled), 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Coffee Cream Topping: 1 cup heavy cream (chilled), 3 tbsp powdered sugar, 2 tbsp instant coffee granules, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Monster Decorations: Candy eyes, assorted colored sprinkles, edible gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cavity donut pan or muffin pan.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients:
- Blend melted butter, eggs, milk, cooled coffee, and vanilla extract in another bowl.
- Combine and fill:
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Spoon or pipe batter into prepared pan, filling each 3/4 full.
- Bake:
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then on a wire rack.
- Make coffee cream:
- Dissolve instant coffee in 1 tsp hot water and cool. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold in dissolved coffee.
- Decorate:
- Pipe or spread coffee cream on cooled donuts. Decorate with candy eyes, sprinkles, and food coloring for monster faces.
Save Decorating these donuts together turned into a memorable kitchen moment with my family that afternoon. My kids loved choosing their favorite monster face and helping pipe on the cream with silly, sticky fingers.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer, donut or muffin pan, piping bag or spatula, wire rack
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 280, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 37 g, Protein: 4 g
Diet & Variations
Vegetarian; substitute decaf coffee for caffeine-free, or use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and coconut cream for a vegan option.
Save Serve these playful donuts fresh for the best texture. They add big smiles to any dessert table.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I achieve a moist texture for the donut base?
Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined and avoid overmixing; this keeps the muffins soft and moist.
- → Can I use decaf coffee in the batter?
Yes, replace the brewed coffee and instant granules with decaf for a caffeine-free treat.
- → What tips help whip the coffee cream topping properly?
Chill the bowl and whisk, then whip cream just to soft peaks before gently folding in cooled, dissolved coffee.
- → Are there vegan alternatives for the ingredients?
Use plant-based milk and butter, and swap heavy cream for whipped coconut cream to suit vegan diets.
- → How can kids participate in creating the monster theme?
Let kids decorate each donut with candy eyes, sprinkles, and edible gel to personalize fun monster faces.