Easy Halloween Brimstone Bread Recipe

Introduction

Get ready for Halloween with this fun and festive Easy Halloween Brimstone Bread. Featuring vibrant red dough topped with a spooky black coating, these rolls are as eye-catching as they are delicious. Perfect for holiday parties or a seasonal treat!

Ingredients

• 1 box instant bread mix (King Arthur recommended)
• 2 tbsp active dry yeast (divided)
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar (divided)
• 1/2 tsp salt (divided)
• 1 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil like canola, divided)
• Red food coloring (as desired for vibrant color)
• 1 1/2 cups rice flour
• Black food coloring or activated charcoal
• Additional water (for coloring black topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the bread mix, 2 tablespoons yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Verify your warm water is between 105°F and 115°F using a thermometer, then add it to the dry ingredients along with 2 tablespoons oil and your desired amount of red food coloring. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Step 2: Divide the red dough into 12 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Step 3: While the dough rises, prepare the black topping. In a bowl, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and rice flour. In a separate bowl, combine black food coloring or activated charcoal with enough water to make a thick paste. Add this colored water to the dry mixture and stir until spreadable. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Once the dough balls have doubled, spread the black topping generously over each one, aiming for a rustic, uneven look. Cover again and let rest for 15 minutes to activate the yeast and help the topping stick.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven according to the bread mix instructions. Bake the topped dough for 20-25 minutes until the red dough is lightly golden and the black topping is set and darkened. Let the bread cool on the sheet briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Step 6: Serve cooled for a dramatic Halloween bread perfect as a side for soups and stews or as a festive treat at gatherings.

Tips & Variations

• Use activated charcoal for a natural black color and a slightly earthy flavor, or food coloring for convenience.
• Keep your water temperature accurate with a thermometer to ensure the yeast activates properly.
• For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the dough mix.
• If you want a less sweet bread, reduce the sugar slightly but keep it enough to help the yeast rise.

Storage

Store the bread rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooled rolls in a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Reheat in a warm oven or toaster oven to refresh their texture before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, but adjust the quantity accordingly—typically you need about three times more fresh yeast than active dry yeast. Make sure to dissolve it in warm water before mixing with other ingredients.

Can this recipe be made vegan?

Absolutely. Just ensure your instant bread mix contains no dairy or eggs. Use a neutral vegetable oil and check that your food coloring or charcoal is vegan-friendly.

Easy Halloween Brimstone Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 134 reviews

This Easy Halloween Brimstone Bread recipe creates spooky red and black bread rolls perfect for Halloween. The vibrant red bread dough is topped with a striking black rice flour paste that bakes into a rustic, eerie crust. Made using instant bread mix and simple ingredients, these rolls are fun to prepare and add seasonal flair to any Halloween feast.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 bread rolls 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough:

• 1 box instant bread mix (King Arthur recommended)
• 2 tbsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil like canola)
• Red food coloring (as desired for vibrant color)

For the Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups rice flour
• 2 tbsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil like canola)
• Black food coloring or activated charcoal (to color)
• Additional water (to mix with coloring to a thick paste)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Red Dough Base: In a large bowl, combine the instant bread mix, active dry yeast, sugar, and salt. Check that your warm water is between 105°F and 115°F with a thermometer, then add the water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Stir in red food coloring to your desired vibrance, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. The dough should be slightly rough but all dry ingredients incorporated.
2. Shape and First Rise: Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them spaced about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and allow to rise at room temperature near a warm spot, like a sunny window, until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Prepare the Black Topping: While dough rises, combine yeast, sugar, vegetable oil, salt, and rice flour in a bowl. In another small bowl, mix black food coloring or activated charcoal with enough water to form a thick paste. Pour the colored water into the rice flour mixture and stir until you get a thick, spreadable consistency similar to cake batter. Cover and let sit 15 minutes to hydrate and deepen in color.
4. Top with Black Coating and Final Rise: Once dough balls have doubled in size, spread the black topping generously on each, creating a rustic, uneven surface for character. Cover again loosely and let rest 15 minutes to activate yeast and help topping adhere better during baking.
5. Bake and Cool: Preheat your oven according to your bread mix instructions. Bake the topped dough balls for 20 to 25 minutes until the red dough is lightly golden and the black topping is set and slightly darkened. Remove from oven and cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The bread will continue to set as it cools.
6. Serve Your Spooky Creation: Once cooled, serve these Halloween Brimstone Bread rolls alongside soups, stews, or at Halloween parties for a creepy and dramatic effect. Enjoy the striking color contrast and soft texture!

Notes

• Keep water temperature between 105°F and 115°F to activate yeast without killing it.
• Activated charcoal gives a more natural black color but black food coloring is a fine substitute.
• Spacing dough balls 2 inches apart prevents them from merging as they rise and bake.
• The rustic uneven topping adds to the Halloween spooky aesthetic; neatness is not necessary.
• Letting the black topping rest hydrates the rice flour and enhances color intensity.
• Bread should be fully cooled to allow topping to set and make handling easier.

Keywords: Halloween bread, spooky bread rolls, red and black bread, instant bread mix recipe, holiday bread, festive bread rolls