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Closeup of orange Halloween cinnamon roll on a white plate.

Halloween Cinnamon Rolls

These Halloween Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect breakfast treat for spooky season! The bright orange rolls are filled with a chocolate cinnamon filling and topped with vanilla icing and sprinkles. Both kids and adults will love them!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Roll Recipes, Halloween Breakfast, Halloween Desserts
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Makes: 12 cinnamon rolls
Author: Sues

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 6 Tbsp (¼ cup + 2 Tbsp) granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Orange food coloring
  • Halloween sprinkles, optional

Chocolate Cinnamon Filling

  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp black cocoa
  • 3 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips* (optional)

Vanilla Icing

  • 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
  • 3 Tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Heat milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it's hot, but not at the point of boiling. It should be about 170-180 degrees.
  • Pour milk mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment (if you don't have a stand mixer, you can do it by hand- see notes below) and let rest for about 10 minutes to cool a bit (you want it at about 110 degrees). Sprinkle yeast over the top of milk mixture. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Add flour and salt to milk mixture and mix on low for 1 minute, until flour is incorporated. Switch to dough hook attachment and add orange food coloring to mixture. Knead on medium speed until dough is comes together and is smooth, 6-8 minutes.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover with a towel, and place in a warm location. Let dough rise for about an hour, until it doubles in size.
  • Once dough has risen, punch it down and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll dough out into a rectangle, about 12×16 inches.
  • Using a knife spread chocolate cinnamon filling over the entire dough rectangle, all the way to the edges. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top, if using.
  • Roll the dough lengthwise into a tight log, and use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal slices (about 1 ¼" thick). Arrange rolls in a pan 9x16 baking pan lightly sprayed with cooking oil or brushed with melted butter.
  • Cover pan with a towel and place in a warm area to rise for about 45 minutes.
  • When rolls are almost done rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bake rolls for about 20-22 minutes, until cooked through and no longer doughy.
  • Let cinnamon rolls rest for about 5 minutes before drizzling with vanilla icing and adding sprinkles, if desired.

Chocolate Cinnamon Filling

  • Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to a medium bowl and use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to combine.

Vanilla Icing

  • Add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.

Notes

  • If you don't have a stand mixer, put milk mixture in a large bowl and use a wooden spoon to combine, salt, and orange food coloring. Once dough comes together, place on a lightly floured surface and use your hands to knead dough for about 10 minutes.
  • If you don't have dark chocolate chips, you can use semisweet.
  • I like King Arthur's Black Cocoa Powder.
  • See post body for tips on making portions of this recipe in advance.
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