Description
These Halloween Cinnamon Rolls feature a soft, vibrantly purple dough swirled with a rich cocoa-cinnamon filling and topped with a smooth cream cheese icing. A touch of heavy cream poured into the pan during baking ensures extra-tender, custardy bottoms for a bakery-quality treat.
Ingredients
- Dough: 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup warm whole milk, 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 tsp fine salt, 5 tbsp unsalted butter (softened), 1 – 2 tsp ube extract or violet gel
- Filling: 6 tbsp softened butter, 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp espresso powder, 1/4 tsp fine salt
- Bake Aid: 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Icing: 4 oz cream cheese (room temperature), 4 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature), 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, Pinch fine salt, 1 – 2 tbsp warm milk
Instructions
- Make dough: Combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Stir in flour, remaining sugar, egg, salt, butter, and ube extract; knead until smooth and slightly tacky. Rest and allow dough to rise until doubled.
- Mix filling: Cream together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, espresso, and salt until smooth.
- Shape rolls: Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle; spread filling evenly. Chill 5 minutes if needed, then roll tightly and slice into 12 buns using dental floss.
- Proof: Arrange rolls in a buttered 9×13-inch pan; cover and allow to rise until puffy and touching.
- Bake: Pour heavy cream around rolls; bake at 350°F for 22–28 minutes, until set and lightly golden at edges. Cool 10 minutes.
- Ice: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt; thin with milk as needed. Spread icing on warm rolls and optionally garnish with cocoa powder or chocolate nibs.
Notes
- For more vivid color, add a touch more ube gel, but avoid overuse as it may add bitterness.
- If skipping heavy cream, brush rolls with milk before baking to prevent dry tops.
- Overnight option: Shape and pan the rolls, then chill. Proof at room temperature in the morning until puffy before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg