Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that screams Halloween and tastes like a warm hug, this Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine fluffy, soft cinnamon rolls dyed bright orange and black, with a pop of spooky colors in the frosting and fun decorations on top—trust me, these rolls bring the perfect mix of festive vibes and comfort food. Whether you’re making them for a Halloween brunch or a cozy fall treat, you’re in for a fan-freaking-tastic baking adventure!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe has a purpose. From the yeast that gives the dough its airy rise, to the maple extract that adds a cozy twist, I love how these come together — especially when colored for Halloween. Plus, having the right butter temperature and a good-quality cinnamon really elevate the flavor.

• Active dry yeast: This is what makes the dough rise beautifully—make sure it’s fresh for the best results.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure but still keeps the rolls tender when combined with the right liquids.
• Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the dough.
• Large egg: Helps bind everything together and enriches the dough’s texture.
• Warm milk: Activates yeast and adds moisture—keep it warm but not too hot, around 110°F is perfect.
• Unsalted butter (melted and room temp): Adds richness and helps with dough softness and greasing pans.
• Maple extract: This little twist deepens the flavor beyond basic cinnamon rolls.
• Orange and black food coloring: Key for that festive Halloween look—add gradually until you get the brightness you want.
• Light brown sugar: Gives the filling a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs wonderfully with cinnamon.
• Cinnamon: The star spice that makes cinnamon rolls irresistible.
• Halloween sprinkles: Adds texture and fun visual appeal to the filling and topping.
• Powdered sugar and milk: For a creamy, sweet green frosting that’s both colorful and delicious.
• Mini marshmallows and candy eyeballs: Adorable finishing touches turning your cinnamon rolls into cute Halloween treats.

Tweak to Your Taste

I like to play with this Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe depending on the occasion and crowd. Don’t feel locked into the colors or decorations—this recipe is super adaptable and I encourage you to customize it so it’s your own spooky creation.

• Variation: I’ve swapped maple extract for vanilla or almond extract when I didn’t have it on hand, and the rolls turned out just as delicious with a slightly different flavor.
• Spice it up: You can add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg in the filling to deepen those fall flavors even more.
• Dairy-free: Use coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute to make these rolls dairy-free without sacrificing texture.
• Color focus: If you want a less vibrant look, just use less food coloring or switch colors completely—purple and green work great for Halloween too!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Knead the Colorful Dough

Start by whisking the yeast, half of the flour, and sugar together in the mixer bowl—it’s like the base that wakes up your yeast. Then add the egg, warm milk, melted butter, maple extract, and your orange food coloring. Use the dough hook to mix until everything comes together. I always check the dough color at this stage—if it’s not bright orange enough to pop out before baking, add a few more drops cautiously. After that, add the remaining flour and knead for about 5 minutes on medium-low. The dough should be smooth and spring back lightly when poked. Trust me, the vibrant dough makes the whole baking experience extra fun!

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Grease a large bowl with some room temperature butter to prevent sticking, then shape the dough into a ball and pop it into the bowl. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and place it somewhere warm—ideally near a sunny window or on top of the fridge. You’ll want to leave it to rise for about 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. This patience pays off big time with those fluffy rolls.

Step 3: Prep the Filling and Roll It Up

While the dough is resting, mix the brown sugar, softened butter, cinnamon, black food coloring, and sprinkles in a bowl. I like using a fork to mash everything together until the texture looks like wet sand—that intense black filling contrasts so well with the orange dough and it’s so satisfying to spread. Once your dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a 10×14 inch rectangle. Spread that luscious black filling over the dough, leaving a half-inch border. From here, roll the dough tightly from one long edge into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal slices. Placing those in a buttered baking pan completes this part perfectly.

Step 4: Final Rise & Bake

Cover your pan with a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls on the center rack for 23 minutes or until golden and puffed. Keep an eye on them but don’t open the oven too early, or they might deflate. After baking, let them cool on the counter for about 5 minutes — this gives you time to whip up the frosting.

Step 5: Decorate to Spooky Perfection

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and green food coloring until the frosting is shiny, smooth, and bright green. Then drizzle it generously over your cinnamon rolls. The fun part: slice those mini marshmallows in half lengthwise and add four halves per roll to look like creepy teeth. If you want to get extra spooky, use a tiny brush and some red food coloring to add a bloody effect. Place two candy eyeballs on each roll and sprinkle on more festive sprinkles. Voilà—these rolls are ready to wow!

How to Serve Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding those mini marshmallow “teeth” and candy eyeballs right before serving—it really brings a smile and sets the Halloween mood. Sometimes, I lightly dust a little extra powdered sugar for a ghostly effect or add a few extra sprinkles to make the rolls pop even more.

Side Dishes

These cinnamon rolls are great on their own but even better paired with a warm cup of spiced apple cider or a creamy pumpkin latte. For a brunch spread, add scrambled eggs or a savory quiche to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I arranged them on a black platter lined with orange tissue paper and scattered a few plastic spider rings around—it was a huge hit at our Halloween party. You can also pipe the frosting into spooky shapes or add edible glitter to give them some Halloween magic shimmer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They stay soft and delicious when sealed well. If your kitchen is warm, toss them in the fridge but bring to room temp before serving to keep the texture perfect.

Freezing

I like to freeze the unbaked rolls after shaping them. Just cover the pan tightly with foil and plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw them overnight in the fridge before the final rise and bake as usual—this saves a ton of time on busy mornings.

Reheating

To reheat, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 8-10 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. If you like, add a drizzle of warm frosting to freshen them up. Just avoid overheating or they might dry out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe brings out the kid in me every time I make it—between the vibrant colors, the joyful decorating, and that heavenly cinnamon swirl, it’s a total celebration on a plate. I hope you’ll give it a try for your next Halloween gathering or just because fall deserves all the cozy treats. Trust me, once you take your first bite of these colorful rolls, you’ll be hooked just like I was. Happy baking, and may your Halloween be delightfully delicious!

Halloween Cinnamon Roll Recipe

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• Author: Julia
• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 23 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 18 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Celebrate Halloween with these festive Halloween Cinnamon Rolls featuring vibrant orange dough, a bold black cinnamon filling, and bright green frosting topped with marshmallow teeth and candy eyeballs for a spooky treat perfect for a party or family gathering.

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Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Rolls:

• 1 packet active dry yeast (1/4 ounce)
• 5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (8 tablespoons)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 1/3 cups warm milk
• 5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (for greasing)
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• Orange food coloring

For the Filling:

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• Black food coloring
• 2 tablespoons Halloween sprinkles

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Green food coloring

For the Decoration:

• 24 mini marshmallows
• Red food coloring (optional)
• 24 candy eyeballs
• Halloween sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Make the Cinnamon Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together yeast, 2 1/2 cups flour, and granulated sugar until combined. Add the egg, warm milk, melted butter, maple extract, and 4 to 5 drops of orange food coloring. Use the dough hook to mix until combined.
2. Knead the Dough: Gradually add the remaining 2 1/2 cups flour and knead with the dough hook on medium-low speed for 5 minutes. Add more orange food coloring if needed to ensure a very bright orange color that will remain vibrant after baking.
3. First Rise: Grease a large bowl with 1 tablespoon room temperature butter. Transfer the dough to a work surface, shape into a ball, then place in the greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at warm room temperature for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare Baking Pan and Preheat Oven: Once dough is risen, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with 1 tablespoon room temperature butter.
5. Roll Out Dough: Transfer dough to a floured work surface and roll into a 10 x 14-inch rectangle using a rolling pin.
6. Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, stir together light brown sugar, room temperature butter, cinnamon, and at least 5 drops black food coloring until mixture resembles wet black sand. Adjust food coloring as needed.
7. Apply Filling: Evenly spread the black sugar mixture over the rolled-out dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle with Halloween sprinkles.
8. Roll and Cut: Starting at one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them upright in the prepared pan.
9. Second Rise: Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise for 10 minutes.
10. Bake the Rolls: Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and bake for 23 minutes until golden and cooked through.
11. Prepare the Frosting: While rolls bake, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and 3 to 4 drops of green food coloring in a small bowl until smooth and bright green. Add more coloring if necessary for brightness.
12. Decorate the Rolls: After baking, remove rolls from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Drizzle the green frosting evenly over the warm rolls.
13. Add Decorations: Cut mini marshmallows in half lengthwise and place 4 halves on each roll to resemble teeth. Optionally, use red food coloring to add a blood effect to the marshmallow teeth. Add two candy eyeballs to each roll and sprinkle additional Halloween sprinkles on top.

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Notes

• Ensure the orange food coloring is very bright in the dough since color fades during baking.
• The black filling should resemble wet sand; add food coloring gradually to avoid overdarkening.
• Use room temperature ingredients for easier mixing and better dough texture.
• If you want vegan or dairy-free options, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
• Allow the dough ample rising time for fluffy cinnamon rolls.
• Cutting marshmallows lengthwise creates better ‘teeth’ for decoration.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg