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Spooky Zombie Cinnamon Rolls in Just 20 Minutes

By:

August 23, 2025

Zombie Cinnamon Rolls

Halloween mornings should be just as fun as trick-or-treating, don’t you think? That’s why I started making these Zombie Cinnamon Rolls—they’re the perfect way to kick off a spooky day with something sweet and silly. I’ll never forget the first time I surprised my kids with them. Their eyes (both real and candy!) went wide when they saw those gooey cinnamon rolls staring back at them. And the best part? These creepy cuties come together in minutes using just three ingredients. Trust me, if you want to be the Halloween breakfast hero, this is how you do it.

Zombie Cinnamon Rolls - detail 1

Why You’ll Love These Zombie Cinnamon Rolls

These zombie cinnamon rolls are about to become your new Halloween morning tradition—and here’s why:

  • Super quick: With store-bought cinnamon rolls, you’re just 20 minutes away from spooky breakfast magic.
  • Kid-approved fun: Little hands love pressing on those candy eyes—each roll gets its own silly personality!
  • No baking skills needed: If you can drizzle icing, you can create these edible monsters.
  • Instant Halloween spirit: That first bite of warm cinnamon with a side of giggles? Pure holiday joy.

Ingredients for Zombie Cinnamon Rolls

Here’s the beautiful part – you only need three simple things to bring these little monsters to life (or should I say, un-life?). I always keep these stocked in October because you never know when a zombie breakfast emergency might strike!

  • 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8-count works best – grab the jumbo ones if you want extra-scary zombies!)
  • ½ cup prepared vanilla icing (the kind that comes in those handy squeeze tubes is perfect for “blood” drizzle)
  • 24-32 candy eyes (about 3-4 per roll – though let’s be honest, some zombies might need an extra eyeball or two!)

Psst – a little insider tip: if your grocery store is out of candy eyes, you can make your own with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips. But between you and me, the pre-made ones are way less fuss when you’re trying to wrangle excited kids on Halloween morning.

How to Make Zombie Cinnamon Rolls

Okay, let’s bring these undead breakfast treats to life! I promise it’s easier than surviving a zombie apocalypse. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a tray of giggle-worthy cinnamon roll monsters in no time.

Step 1: Prep and Bake the Rolls

First, preheat your oven to whatever temperature it says on your cinnamon roll package (usually around 375°F). While that’s heating up, pop open that can – you know, the one that always makes that satisfying “whoosh” sound. Separate the rolls and arrange them on a baking sheet, giving them about 2 inches of personal space to puff up.

Bake them until they’re golden brown and smelling like heaven – about 13-15 minutes usually does it. Watch them closely though – nothing’s scarier than burnt zombies! Let them cool just enough that you won’t burn your fingers, but not so much that the icing won’t melt beautifully when you drizzle it on.

Zombie Cinnamon Rolls - detail 2

Step 2: Decorate Like a Zombie

Now comes the fun part! Take your icing and go wild with it – these are zombies after all, so perfection is not required. Drizzle it unevenly, let it drip down the sides like ectoplasm. Then, while the icing is still soft, start pressing on those candy eyes.

Here’s my favorite trick: give each roll personality by varying the eye placement. Some can be cross-eyed, others can have eyes sliding down their “face” like they’re melting. Get creative – maybe one rogue zombie roll with three eyes? The more messed up they look, the better!

Tips for the Best Zombie Cinnamon Rolls

Want to take your zombie cinnamon rolls from cute to terrifyingly tasty? Here are my tried-and-true tricks:

  • Go green: Add a drop of food coloring to your icing for a sickly undead glow (pea soup green is my personal favorite).
  • Bloody genius: Use red gel icing to create gruesome “bloodshot” veins on the eyes or dripping wounds.
  • Eye spy: For extra creepy rolls, use different sized candy eyes—nothing says zombie like mismatched peepers!
  • Warm it up: Microwave the icing for 5 seconds to get perfect drippy “brains” effect.

Remember—the messier they look, the more authentically undead they’ll appear!

Zombie Cinnamon Rolls Variations

Want to get really creative with your undead breakfast? Try these fun twists:

  • Bloody bites: Swirl red gel icing between the cinnamon roll layers before baking for a “gory” surprise inside.
  • Marshmallow monsters: Swap candy eyes for mini marshmallows with chocolate chip pupils – they melt slightly for extra creepy texture.
  • Zombie bites: Add slivered almonds as “teeth” sticking out from the sides.

The possibilities are endless – just let your Halloween imagination run wild!

Serving and Storing Zombie Cinnamon Rolls

These zombie cinnamon rolls are absolute magic served warm – that gooey center and melty icing make the candy eyes look extra alive (well, undead alive!). If you’ve got leftovers (unlikely, but it happens), pop them in an airtight container for 1-2 days. A quick 10-second zap in the microwave brings them back to terrifyingly tasty life!

Zombie Cinnamon Rolls Nutritional Info

Okay, let’s be real – we’re not eating zombie cinnamon rolls for their health benefits! But just so you know what you’re getting into (nutritionally speaking), here’s the scoop. Remember, these values are estimates and can vary depending on your specific brands – those candy eyes add negligible nutrition, but they add major fun!

  • Per roll (based on standard 8-count can):
  • Calories: ~180
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Fat: 6g
  • Carbs: 28g
  • Protein: 3g

Now, here’s my unofficial nutritional advice: The joy and laughter these spooky treats bring to Halloween morning? Absolutely calorie-free and 100% good for the soul. Everything in moderation – even zombie attacks on your breakfast plate!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make zombie cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake the rolls the night before, then store them covered at room temp. Add icing and eyes right before serving for maximum freshness (and so the eyes don’t get soggy).

Where can I find candy eyes?
Most grocery stores carry them in the baking aisle near sprinkles during Halloween. No luck there? Try craft stores or online – they’re listed as “candy eyeballs” or “decorative eyes.”

Can I use homemade cinnamon rolls?
Of course! Just bake your favorite recipe first. The zombie magic happens in the decorating – though I’ll admit, I love how quick the canned ones are on busy Halloween mornings.

What if my icing won’t drip right?
No worries! Microwave it for 5-10 seconds to thin it out. Too runny? Add a bit of powdered sugar. Remember – messy looks more zombie-appropriate anyway!

Zombie Cinnamon Rolls - detail 3

For more fun Halloween recipes, check out our Graveyard Taco Dip and Mummy Hot Dogs. You can also find more inspiration on our Pinterest page.

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Zombie Cinnamon Rolls

Spooky Zombie Cinnamon Rolls in Just 20 Minutes


  • Author: Laura
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 rolls
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Spooky Halloween Zombie Cinnamon Rolls with candy eyes for a fun breakfast treat.


Ingredients

  • 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls
  • ½ cup icing
  • Candy eyes


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to the temperature specified on the cinnamon roll package.
  2. Place cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake according to package instructions.
  4. Let rolls cool slightly.
  5. Drizzle icing over the rolls.
  6. Press candy eyes onto the rolls to create zombie faces.
  7. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use store-bought cinnamon rolls for convenience.
  • Adjust the number of candy eyes for desired spookiness.
  • Serve warm for best taste.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American