Halloween Brimstone Bread is a spooky, savory delight that adds a fiery twist to your Halloween feast. This delicious pull-apart bread is packed with smoky, spicy, and cheesy flavors that make it look like something straight out of a haunted kitchen. With its golden, crispy edges and bubbling cheese oozing from every layer, Brimstone Bread is sure to be the star of your Halloween spread. The best part? It’s fun to make and even more fun to eat, with each piece tearing away like a gooey, spicy treasure!
The inspiration for this recipe came from the idea of creating something that looks like it’s been forged in the fires of Halloween. The bread is loaded with ingredients like pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, and smoky paprika to give it a “burnt” and spicy look, while still being absolutely delicious. It’s perfect for serving at a Halloween party, paired with soups or dips, or even as an appetizer before trick-or-treating. Get ready to wow your guests with this spooky and savory treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Perfect for Halloween: The fiery, spooky appearance of the bread makes it ideal for any Halloween party or family dinner.
- Spicy and cheesy: Loaded with pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, and smoky spices, this bread is a flavorful, cheesy pull-apart delight with a spicy kick.
- Crowd-pleaser: Great for sharing, this pull-apart bread is fun to eat and serves multiple people, making it perfect for gatherings.
- Easy to make: Despite its impressive look, Brimstone Bread is simple to make with store-bought pizza dough or bread dough.
- Customizable: You can adjust the heat level or switch up the cheeses and add-ins to suit your taste.
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6-8
Calories per serving: 250
Protein: 10g, Carbs: 30g, Fat: 12g
Ingredients:
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade bread dough)
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese (or mozzarella for less spice)
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced (optional for extra heat)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for more heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or a round 8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. You want it to be a rectangle that’s about 12 inches wide and 8 inches long. If you’re using homemade bread dough, roll it out to similar dimensions.
- Season the butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Brush half of this spiced butter mixture over the rolled-out dough.
- Add the cheese and jalapeños: Sprinkle the shredded pepper jack cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a little space around the edges. If you’re using jalapeños for extra heat, scatter the diced jalapeños on top of the cheese.
- Cut and stack the dough: Cut the dough into 6 strips lengthwise. Stack the strips on top of each other, so you end up with a tall stack of dough and cheese. Cut this stack into 6 squares.
- Assemble the bread: Place the dough squares in the prepared loaf pan or baking dish, standing them upright so that the layers of dough and cheese are visible. Don’t worry if they look messy—they’ll puff up beautifully in the oven. Brush the remaining spiced butter mixture over the top of the dough.
- Bake the Brimstone Bread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Garnish and serve: Once the bread is out of the oven, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top while it’s still warm. You can also garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color if desired. Let the bread cool for a few minutes before serving so it’s easier to pull apart.
How to Serve:
- As an appetizer: Serve Brimstone Bread as an appetizer at your Halloween party or gathering. It pairs well with dips like marinara, garlic butter, or even ranch.
- With a spooky meal: Serve alongside hearty soups like tomato bisque or pumpkin soup for a cozy, spooky dinner.
- For a Halloween party: Set it in the center of your Halloween buffet table, and watch your guests tear into the cheesy, spicy layers!
Additional Tips:
- Use pizza dough for convenience: Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly for this recipe and saves time. If you prefer to make your own bread dough, that works great too!
- Adjust the heat level: If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit the jalapeños and cayenne pepper. If you love the heat, feel free to add more jalapeños or even a few red pepper flakes.
- Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the bread in the last 10 minutes of baking. You want the cheese to be bubbly and the bread golden brown, but not too dark.
- Customize the cheese: While pepper jack gives this bread its signature spicy kick, you can use mozzarella, cheddar, or a combination of cheeses for a different flavor.
- Make it ahead: You can assemble the bread up to a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Recipe Variations:
- Garlic Brimstone Bread: For a more garlicky version, increase the garlic powder and add some freshly minced garlic to the butter mixture.
- Cheesy Herb Brimstone Bread: Mix in fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano with the cheese for a herby flavor boost.
- Extra Cheesy Brimstone Bread: Add an extra layer of mozzarella or sharp cheddar cheese to make the bread even cheesier and gooier.
- Bacon Brimstone Bread: Sprinkle cooked, crumbled bacon between the layers of dough for a smoky, savory twist.
Serving Suggestions:
- With dipping sauces: Serve Brimstone Bread with a side of marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic aioli for dipping.
- With a charcuterie board: Pair this bread with cured meats, cheeses, and olives for a Halloween-themed charcuterie board.
- As part of a meal: Serve alongside a warm, hearty soup like chili, tomato soup, or butternut squash soup for a filling and festive meal.
Freezing and Storage:
- Storing leftovers: Store any leftover Brimstone Bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
- Freezing: You can freeze Brimstone Bread after baking. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Special Equipment:
- Loaf pan or round baking dish: A 9×5-inch loaf pan or an 8-inch round baking dish works well for this pull-apart bread. You can also use a Bundt pan for a more dramatic presentation.
- Pastry brush: Use a pastry brush to evenly spread the spiced butter over the dough for even flavor distribution.
FAQ:
- Can I use homemade dough instead of pizza dough? Yes! If you prefer to make your own dough from scratch, it works just as well and adds an extra homemade touch. Just make sure the dough is rolled out to the correct size.
- What’s the best way to reheat the bread? Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to restore the crisp edges and gooey cheese. Avoid using the microwave as it can make the bread soggy.
- Can I make this bread less spicy? Absolutely! You can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper, jalapeños, or even use mozzarella instead of pepper jack cheese to tone down the spice.
- Can I add meat to the bread? Yes! Cooked, crumbled sausage, bacon, or pepperoni are all delicious additions to Brimstone Bread and can be layered between the dough strips.
- What if I don’t have a loaf pan? You can use any baking dish, like a round cake pan, to make Brimstone Bread. Just make sure to adjust the baking time if needed.
Conclusion:
This Halloween Brimstone Bread is the perfect savory addition to your spooky spread. It’s cheesy, spicy, and full of bold flavors, with a fiery, brimstone-like appearance that’s sure to impress your guests. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or looking for a fun appetizer to serve before trick-or-treating, this pull-apart bread is sure to be a hit. Get creative
with the toppings, adjust the heat to your liking, and enjoy this festive, spooky dish with friends and family! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your creations—I’d love to see how your Brimstone Bread turns out!
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Halloween Brimstone Bread
- Total Time: 2 hours
Description
There’s something about Halloween that just makes everything feel a little extra special, doesn’t it? Whether it’s the spooky decorations or the fun costumes, October is one of my favorite months of the year. And what better way to celebrate the spooky season than by baking a fresh loaf of Halloween Brimstone Bread? Let me tell you, this bread was a huge hit with my family. The kids were particularly obsessed with the way it looked and smelled—like something straight out of a witch’s cauldron! And honestly, I couldn’t stop sneaking slices myself. The dark, smoky flavor pairs so well with a little butter and honey, and it’s got just the right amount of spice. If you’re looking for a Halloween-themed treat that’s savory and fun, this bread is perfect.
With its eerie blackened crust and slightly smoky flavor, this loaf truly lives up to its name—Brimstone Bread. It’s not only the taste that’ll catch your attention, but the texture too. The crust is perfectly crunchy, while the inside remains soft and moist. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make it a yearly tradition!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this spooky bread to life:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp activated charcoal powder (for that eerie, blackened effect)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: ½ tsp cayenne pepper (for a little extra heat)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, mix the warm water and honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. - Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, charcoal powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and optional cayenne pepper. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms. You can use your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook. - Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you’re using a stand mixer, knead on medium speed for 5 minutes. - Let It Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. - Shape the Dough
Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a round loaf. You can also divide it into smaller rolls if you prefer. - Second Rise
Place the shaped dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover again, and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes. - Bake the Bread
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is firm and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. - Cool and Enjoy
Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy the dramatic look and flavor of your Halloween Brimstone Bread!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 150
