Ghoulish Candy Eyeballs
Get ready to shock and delight your guests with these Ghoulish Candy Eyeballs, the perfect Halloween treat that mixes fun and flavor! Made with creamy peanut butter and enveloped in a luscious white chocolate coating, these delightful confections are sure to be the star of any spooky soirée. The addition of bloodshot lines gives them a frightful appearance that provides just the right amount of spookiness. Bring a tray of these sweet morsels to your next Halloween party, and watch as they become the talk of the night! Just be ready to share the recipe once everyone tastes them!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
confectioners' sugar
2 cups (divided, with 1 1/2 cups for the mixture and the rest for piping)
creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup (none)
butter
3 tablespoons (softened)
white candy coating
1/2 lb (melted)
brown Reese's Pieces or M&Ms
24 pieces (none)
water
1 tablespoon (none)
red food coloring
1/4-1/2 teaspoon (to achieve desired color)
additional confectioners' sugar
to right consistency for piping (none)
Instructions
1
In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of confectioners' sugar, creamy peanut butter, and softened butter. Mix until smooth and well combined.
2
Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet.
3
Chill the balls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch.
4
While the balls are chilling, melt the white candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until fully smooth.
5
Once the balls are firm, dip each one into the melted white candy coating, ensuring they are fully covered, and then return them to the wax paper.
6
Immediately press a Reese's Piece or M&M candy into the center of each ball for the pupil.
7
Let the coated eyeballs sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature, or until the coating has fully set.
8
To create the bloodshot effect, mix 1 tablespoon of water with red food coloring and enough confectioners' sugar to achieve a piping consistency in a small bowl.
9
Transfer the mixture into a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag, cut a tiny hole in one corner, and pipe irregular wavy lines downward from the candy to simulate bloodshot eyes.
10
Store the Ghoulish Candy Eyeballs in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ghoulish Candy Eyeballs?
Ghoulish Candy Eyeballs are a spooky Halloween treat made from a creamy peanut butter center, coated in white candy, and decorated with candy pupils and red icing veins.
What ingredients do I need to make these Halloween eyeballs?
You will need confectioners' sugar, creamy peanut butter, softened butter, white candy coating, brown Reese's Pieces or M&Ms, water, and red food coloring.
How do I make the peanut butter center?
Mix 1 1/2 cups of confectioners' sugar with the creamy peanut butter and softened butter in a medium bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
What size should I roll the peanut butter balls?
The peanut butter mixture should be shaped into 1-inch balls.
Do I need to refrigerate the peanut butter balls before dipping them?
Yes, you should chill the balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until they are firm to the touch.
How do I melt the white candy coating?
Melt the coating in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until it is completely smooth.
What can I use for the pupils of the eyeballs?
You can use brown Reese's Pieces or brown M&M candies to act as the pupils.
How do I create the bloodshot eye effect?
Mix 1 tablespoon of water with red food coloring and enough confectioners' sugar to reach a piping consistency, then pipe wavy lines downward from the candy pupil.
How long should the coating set before adding the red veins?
Let the white-coated eyeballs sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature until the coating has fully set.
How should I store Ghoulish Candy Eyeballs?
Store the finished eyeballs in an airtight container until you are ready to serve them.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
While creamy peanut butter provides a smoother look, you can use crunchy if you prefer a different texture, though it may look less like a smooth eyeball.
How many eyeballs does this recipe make?
The recipe calls for 24 pieces of candy for the pupils, so it typically yields approximately 24 candy eyeballs.
What should I do if the red icing is too thin?
If the icing is too thin, gradually add more confectioners' sugar until it reaches a consistency thick enough for piping.
Do I need a professional piping bag for the red veins?
No, you can use a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag and cut a tiny hole in one corner to pipe the lines.
Is there a specific type of white candy coating I should use?
You can use white almond bark, white candy melts, or any high-quality white chocolate intended for dipping.
How long does it take to prepare this recipe?
Total time includes about 30 minutes of chilling and 30 minutes of setting, plus prep time, totaling roughly 1.5 hours.
Can I make these treats in advance?
Yes, you can make them a day or two in advance as long as they are kept in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
What if my peanut butter mixture is too sticky to roll?
If the mixture is too sticky, you can add a little more confectioners' sugar to help it hold its shape.
Should I refrigerate the eyeballs after they are finished?
It is not strictly necessary unless your kitchen is very warm, as the candy coating and peanut butter center are stable at room temperature.
Can I use different colors of M&Ms?
Absolutely! You can use blue, green, or yellow candies for different colored 'irises' to make the eyeballs look more varied.
What is the best surface to place the eyeballs on while they set?
A baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper is best to prevent sticking.
How do I get the candy pupil to stick?
Press the Reese's Piece or M&M into the center of the ball immediately after dipping it in the white coating while the coating is still wet.
Can I freeze these candy eyeballs?
Yes, they can be frozen, but the red food coloring may bleed slightly when they thaw due to condensation.
Are these candy eyeballs gluten-free?
Check the labels on your specific white candy coating and M&Ms, but most standard ingredients for this recipe are gluten-free.
What's the best way to dip the balls into the coating?
Use a fork or a dipping tool to submerge the ball, then tap the tool on the side of the bowl to remove excess coating before placing it on the wax paper.
Why is my white coating clumping?
Candy coating can clump if it gets too hot or if any water gets into it. Ensure your bowl and tools are completely dry.
Can I use gel food coloring for the veins?
Yes, gel food coloring works well and often provides a more intense red color for the bloodshot effect.
How do I make the eyeballs look extra spooky?
Vary the length and thickness of the red wavy lines to make them look more realistic and 'bloodshot'.
Can I use a different nut butter?
Yes, almond butter or sunflower seed butter can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will change.
What makes this a good party snack?
They are bite-sized, easy to eat without utensils, and provide a visually striking thematic element to any Halloween dessert table.