This Halloween Brimstone Bread is a fun and spooky treat! It’s a soft, yeasty bread that turns a vibrant orange, making it perfect for the spooky season. Plus, it’s super easy to make!
Don’t be surprised if it disappears quickly – everyone loves a tasty bread that looks like Halloween magic! I love serving it with some butter or pumpkin spread for an extra yummy treat. 🎃
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of the bread. If you want to make it a bit healthier, you can use whole wheat flour. Just keep in mind the texture will be denser.
Active Dry Yeast: If you don’t have this on hand, you can use instant yeast instead. The rise time might be slightly less, so keep an eye on it!
Red Food Coloring: For a natural alternative, you can use beet juice or pomegranate juice. It won’t be as vibrant, but it’ll still give a nice color.
Cocoa Powder: This adds the color and a slight chocolatey flavor to the crust. If you don’t want a chocolate flavor, you can omit it completely, but the appearance will change. You can try activated charcoal for a dark look instead.
How Do You Make Sure Your Bread Rises Perfectly?
Getting the perfect rise for the dough is crucial! Start by warming your water to about 110°F (43°C). Not too hot—just warm to the touch. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast.
- Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let it sit until frothy – this shows the yeast is active!
- Knead the dough well. This helps develop gluten, giving your bread a good structure.
- Cover the dough with a towel and place it in a warm spot to rise. If your kitchen is cool, you can turn your oven on low for a minute, then turn it off and let the dough sit there.
Always remember to be patient—good bread takes time to rise!
Halloween Brimstone Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 3 ½ cups (430g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (240ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Red food coloring (about 1 tbsp or to desired intensity)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (for the “brimstone” crust)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) water (for cocoa paste)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 30 minutes of active preparation time plus 2 to 2.5 hours of rising time. After baking, let the bread cool for about 20 minutes before serving. In total, you’re looking at around 3 hours for a fun and spooky Halloween treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Yeast Dough:
Start by dissolving the active dry yeast and granulated sugar in warm water in a small bowl. Give it about 5-10 minutes to become frothy, which means your yeast is alive and ready to go!
2. Mix the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Add in the yeast mixture and the olive oil. Mix it all together until a rough dough forms, while ensuring there are no dry flour patches left.
3. Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes. It should become smooth and elastic. Once done, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place. You’ll want it to double in size in about 1 to 2 hours.
4. Shape the Bread:
After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into portions for one large loaf or several smaller rolls, whichever you prefer! Shape the portions into round balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Second Rise:
Cover the shaped dough balls again and let them rise for another 30-40 minutes. This will help them get fluffy and soft!
6. Make the Cocoa Paste (“Brimstone” Glaze):
In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, red food coloring, and ¼ cup of water. Stir until you have a thick, spreadable paste. This will give your bread that spooktacular brimstone effect when baked!
7. Apply the Brimstone Effect:
Using a spatula or spoon, spread the cocoa paste thickly and unevenly across the tops of your dough balls. This uneven application will create some beautiful cracks during the baking process!
8. Bake:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, until it’s cooked through and the cocoa paste has darkened and cracked. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning – we want a charred look, not a burned look!
9. Cool and Enjoy:
Once baked, remove your creepy bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes. When it’s time to serve, enjoy it warm with butter, cream cheese, or a delicious pumpkin butter!
This Halloween Brimstone Bread will be the star of your Halloween gatherings, with its unique look and yummy taste. Happy baking!
Can I Use Instant Yeast Instead of Active Dry Yeast?
Yes, you can! Just use the same amount of instant yeast, but there’s no need to proof it in water first. Simply mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
What If I Don’t Have Red Food Coloring?
If you don’t have red food coloring, you can substitute it with beet juice or pomegranate juice for a natural color. The result will be a bit less vibrant, but it will still look festive!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. You can reheat frozen slices in the toaster or oven.
Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?
Absolutely! This recipe is already vegan-friendly since it doesn’t contain any dairy or eggs. Enjoy your spooky bread without any animal products!
