Cinnamon Roll Intestines Recipe

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These Cinnamon Roll Intestines are not only Instagram-worthy but also ridiculously easy to make. With just a few adjustments to classic cinnamon rolls, you can transform them into a creepy yet sweet treat that looks straight out of a zombie’s kitchen. And yes, they taste as good as they look—soft, gooey, and filled with that warm cinnamon goodness we all love.

How to make Cinnamon Roll Intestines

Cinnamon Roll Intestines is a Halloween-themed dessert that gives classic cinnamon rolls a spooky twist by shaping the dough to look like intestines.

Ingredients:

For premade cinnamon rolls:

• 1 package of refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (e.g., Pillsbury)
• Red food coloring or gel (optional for a blood-like effect)
• Powdered sugar (for the glaze)
• A small splash of milk or cream (if you want thinner icing)

Dough:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup warm milk (warm, not hot)
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 1 egg

Filling:

• 2-3 tbsp softened butter
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1-2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk or cream
• Splash of vanilla extract
• Red gel food coloring (optional!)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Cinnamon Rolls

If using premade dough: Separate and unroll each cinnamon roll into long strips, then set aside.

If making homemade dough:

1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast, and let it sit for 5 minutes until it gets foamy.
2. Add the melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix or knead until you have a soft dough. Cover with a towel and let it rise for 1 hour.
3. Roll out the dough into a rectangle shape, spread a layer of softened butter over it, and sprinkle generously with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll it up and cut into individual portions, then carefully unroll each to make long strips.

Step 2: Arrange the Intestine Shapes

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking dish. Lightly grease the dish with nonstick spray.
2. Take your rolled-out strips (whether premade or homemade) and arrange them in the baking dish to resemble intestines. Twist and turn them in irregular patterns to create an authentic “intestinal” look. There’s no right or wrong here—just have fun shaping them into creepy designs!

Step 3: Bake the Rolls

1. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake according to the instructions on your cinnamon roll package. For homemade rolls, bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Step 4: Add the Creepy Finishing Touch

1. Prepare the glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk/cream, and a splash of vanilla extract to create a smooth icing. If you want to add a spooky blood effect, stir in a few drops of red food coloring or gel until you get the desired color.
2. Once the rolls are out of the oven, drizzle the glaze generously over them. Add extra red gel icing in streaks to mimic “bloody” intestines.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Intestines:

• Shape Creativity: Don’t be afraid to experiment with shapes—bend and twist the dough strips into overlapping curves, spirals, and irregular patterns for maximum creepiness.
• Food Coloring: Use red gel food coloring sparingly—it’s highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. You can also use raspberry or strawberry jam thinned with a bit of water for a natural “bloody” appearance.
• Add Texture: For an extra spooky texture, sprinkle some crushed nuts or chocolate chips along parts of the rolls for a “gross” effect.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the rolls and assemble them in their shapes the night before. Cover and keep in the fridge, then bake fresh on Halloween morning!
• Serving Suggestions: Pair your cinnamon roll intestines with creepy Halloween-themed plates or serve them alongside other spooky snacks, like “eyeball punch” or ghost-shaped cookies.

What to serve with

Cinnamon Roll Intestines are the star of any spooky spread, but pairing them with eerie accompaniments will elevate your Halloween table to the next level.

• Witch’s Brew Punch: A vibrant green or purple punch made with lemon-lime soda, a splash of fruit juice, and floating “eyeball” garnishes (use grapes or lychee fruit to make the eyeballs). Add dry ice for a magical, smoky effect!
• Bloody Hot Cocoa or Coffee: Serve hot chocolate or coffee topped with whipped cream and drizzle red syrup (like strawberry or raspberry) on top to mimic dripping blood.
• Vampire’s Blood Smoothie: Blend together frozen strawberries, raspberries, and yogurt for a thick red smoothie. Serve in clear glasses with red food coloring dripping down the sides.

Ingredients Substitutes

Whether you’re catering to dietary preferences, allergies, or simply working with what you have in your pantry, you don’t have to miss out on making spooky and delicious Cinnamon Roll Intestines!

Flour Alternatives

If you’re preparing homemade cinnamon roll dough, flour is the base. Here are substitutions based on dietary needs:

Gluten-Free Option:

• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free all-purpose baking flour (a 1:1 replacement). Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur brands work great.
• Add 1 tsp of xanthan gum if your gluten-free flour mix doesn’t already include it, to help with binding.

Whole Grain Alternative:

• Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, healthier dough.
• Be mindful that whole wheat flour may yield denser rolls, so consider adding an extra tablespoon of liquid (milk or water).

Milk Alternatives

Milk is often used in the dough and glaze for cinnamon rolls. If you’re lactose-intolerant or vegan, here are swaps:

Plant-Based Milks:

• Use almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk as a 1:1 replacement for dairy milk in dough and glaze.
• Oat milk provides a creamy consistency, while almond milk offers a neutral flavor.

Cream Replacements (for the glaze): For a thicker glaze, use canned coconut cream or blend soaked cashews until smooth. Thin it slightly with water if necessary.

Butter Substitutes

Butter is added to both the cinnamon filling and dough, but there are plenty of alternatives:

• Plant-Based Butter: Use vegan butter brands such as Earth Balance or Miyoko’s in equal amounts.
• Coconut Oil: Replace butter with solid coconut oil (not melted). It works especially well to spread in the cinnamon sugar filling. If you want a less coconut-forward flavor, use refined coconut oil.
• Olive or Neutral Oil: Replace melted butter with an equal amount of light olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil. This works well if you’re avoiding solid fats entirely.

Egg Substitutes

Eggs are frequently used to bind the dough and give it structure, but they’re easy to replace in certain recipes:

For Vegan Substitutes:

• Flax Egg: Combine 1 tbsp ground flaxseed with 2½ tbsp water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens.
• Chia Egg: Similar to flax egg, mix 1 tbsp chia seeds with 2½ tbsp water and let it gel.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. Works well in dough recipes for moistness.

Aquafaba:

• Use 2-3 tbsp of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) to replace 1 egg. Whip it slightly for the best results in binding the dough.

Sugar Substitutes

Sugar is used in the dough, filling, and glaze. Here are options to adjust sweetness:

Brown Sugar Alternatives:

• Replace brown sugar for filled cinnamon rolls with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
• You can also make your own brown sugar by mixing 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1-2 tbsp molasses.

White Sugar Alternatives: Swap white sugar with maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup in equal portions. Reduce liquids slightly to balance the consistency.

Low-Carb/Keto Option: Use erythritol or monk fruit sweetener for a sugar-free, low-carb alternative in the glaze and dough.

Cinnamon Substitutes (if desired)

While cinnamon is the star flavor for this recipe, here are ideas for alternatives if you want to switch it up:

Other Warm Spices:

• Use pumpkin pie spice, which includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, for a fall-inspired flavor.
• Substitute with cardamom or nutmeg for a unique taste twist.

Red Food Coloring Substitutes

Red food coloring gives the Cinnamon Roll Intestines their “bloody guts” appearance. Here’s how to achieve the effect naturally or with an alternative:

Natural Alternatives:

• Beet Juice: Mix small amounts of beet juice into the icing for a deep red tint. Beet powder also works well.
• Unsweetened Raspberry or Cherry Juice: A splash of juice or blended berries provides a blood-like look without needing artificial dyes.

Jam and Preserves: Spread raspberry jam, strawberry jam, or cherry preserves over the rolls for a sweet and realistic “bloody” glaze.

Powdered Sugar Alternative (Glaze)

You can make a glaze without powdered sugar, or use alternatives if you’re avoiding refined sugars:

DIY Powdered Sugar: Blend granulated sugar in a high-speed blender or food processor until it becomes a fine powder.

Unrefined Sweeteners:

• Use coconut sugar blended into a powdered form for a richer, caramel-like glaze.
• Add maple syrup or honey for natural sweetness (this will change the texture, making it thinner).

Final Thoughts

Cinnamon Roll Intestines are a fun and frightfully delicious addition to any Halloween party—or even a creepy morning breakfast surprise. Not only do they look horrifyingly realistic, but they also offer all the warm, gooey, cinnamon goodness we know and love.

More Cinnamon Roll Recipes:

• Copycat Magnolia Table Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
• Copycat Burger King Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
• Copycat Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Recipe