Cute and Quick Cinnamon Roll Ghosts
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These Cinnamon Roll Ghosts are the easiest Halloween breakfast you’ll ever make! These cute ghosts need just one can of cinnamon rolls, a quick little shaping trick, and a few dots of black icing. It doesn’t get any easier!
These were fun to make for the kids and they are fun for a cute Halloween week tradition. They’re cute not at all gory, and just a little bit spooky. Best part is they are ready in about 30 minutes, which makes them perfect for busy October mornings.
This is one of our easy Halloween recipes you will want to bookmark for later.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just 2 ingredients Needed – A can of cinnamon rolls and a tube of black cookie icing is all it takes.
- Kid-friendly and fun. Little ones love shaping the ghosts and drawing on the faces.
- Festive with zero stress. You get a Halloween-worthy breakfast without making dough from scratch.
Ingredients
- Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing — The big Grands! size gives you plenty of dough to unroll for the ghost’s wavy bottom. But you can also use the standard cinnamon rolls that come in a tube of 8. You will also need the prepared icing that comes in the can.
- Black cookie icing – This is for the eyes. A tube with a fine tip makes it easy to draw. You can also use candy eyes if you prefer.
See the recipe card below for full measurements and instructions.
Substitutions and Variations
- Different eyes – Don’t have black cookie icing or don’t want to buy it? Use mini chocolate chips, raisins, black decorating gel, or candy eyes.
- Seasonal flavors – Swap in a pumpkin spice, orange or other seasonal cinnamon roll when they’re on the shelves in the fall.
- Add a mouth – Draw a small “O” under the eyes for a classic spooky ghost face.
- Make mummies – Skip the W shape, drizzle the icing in crisscross lines, and add two eyes peeking through.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Ghosts
Step 1 – SHAPE – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Shape the ghosts. Unroll part of each cinnamon roll and use the loose strip to form a wavy W at the bottom of the rolled part — that’s your ghost’s flowy sheet. Be sure to make the W a bit bigger than you think you need because the rolls puff up and soften the shape.
Step 2 – BAKE until golden, about 23 minutes (or as directed on the can).
Step 3 – FROST – Let them cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle with the cream cheese icing.
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Step 4 -ADD black eyes with the cookie icing.
Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
Time Saving Tips ⏰
- Be sure to line your pan with parchment so cleanup is basically nothing.
- Let the rolls cool for 5 minutes before icing. If they’re too hot, the icing melts right off and the eyes will slide.
- Make-ahead: you can shape the ghosts the night before and refrigerate them overnight.
- Set up a decorating station for the kids while the rolls bake so they’re ready to go the second they come out.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with fresh fruit or scrambled egg bites.
- Pair with hot chocolate or apple cider for a cozy fall morning.
- Add them to a Halloween Board for a Halloween classroom party or office breakfast.
Storage and Reheating
- Store – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat – Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds until just warm. The eyes may smudge a bit when reheated, so you can add fresh eyes after warming if you want them picture-perfect.
- Best fresh – These are at their cutest (and softest) the day they’re baked.
FAQs
Can I make Cinnamon Roll Ghosts ahead of time? You can shape them the night before, cover the pan tightly, and refrigerate. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake. Add the icing and eyes after baking.
Why did my ghost lose its shape? Cinnamon rolls puff up as they bake, so the shape softens a bit. Make your W a little more exaggerated than you think you need, and give each ghost some space on the pan so they don’t bake into each other.
Can I use a different brand of cinnamon rolls? Yes! Any refrigerated cinnamon rolls will work. Larger rolls are easier to shape, and you’ll want to follow the bake time on the package.
What can I use instead of black cookie icing? Mini chocolate chips, black decorating gel, or melted chocolate all work well for the eyes.
How many ghosts does one can make? One can of Grands! makes 5 ghosts, the traditional Cinnamon Rolls will make 8.
More Halloween Treats
Cinnamon Roll Ghosts
Equipment
- Small spoon or knife
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
- 1 container black cookie icing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Unroll some of the cinnamon roll and use the unrolled part to make a W at the bottom of the rolled part.
- Bake for 23 minutes or as directed on the can.
- Drizzle with cream cheese icing and draw on black eyes with the cookie icing.
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