Introduction

Vampire Bread is a fun, colorful twist on traditional homemade bread, perfect for Halloween or any spooky occasion. This recipe uses black and red food coloring to create striking layers that are as tasty as they are eye-catching.

The image shows several slices of swirled bread arranged in a row on a white rectangular plate, placed on a white marbled textured surface. The bread has a layered look with alternating colors of deep red and dark purple, along with light beige sections. The layers are tightly rolled, creating a spiral pattern with a textured crumb that looks soft but dense. The outer crust is darker with reddish tones, and the inside reveals the vibrant color contrast between the three main layers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup hot reduced fat milk
1 egg yolk
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
Black and red food coloring

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the hot milk and egg yolk. Microwave the mixture for 25–30 seconds, then set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl or the base of a stand mixer, whisk the flour, sugar, and yeast together. Add the milk and egg mixture, butter, and salt. Stir until combined.
Step 3: Knead the dough by hand for 10 minutes or with a stand mixer hook attachment for about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Divide the dough evenly into 2 or 3 small bowls and cover each with a tea towel.
Step 5: Remove one piece of dough at a time and mix in your desired amount of black or red food coloring. Cover with a tea towel and let the dough rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
Step 6: Once risen, punch down the dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Divide into four equal portions.
Step 7: Roll each portion into an 8×4 inch rectangle. Layer the colored dough pieces in your preferred color order.
Step 8: Lightly coat a 9×5 inch loaf pan with baking spray or line with parchment paper. Roll the layered dough tightly from the short end and place into the pan.
Step 9: Cover with a tea towel and let rise until doubled again, about 1 hour.
Step 10: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Uncover the dough and bake for about 30 minutes or until fully cooked.
Step 11: Remove from oven and let cool completely before slicing into 12 pieces.

Tips & Variations

Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering dough consistency.
To add flavor, try mixing in a teaspoon of cinnamon or cocoa powder with the flour.
For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with almond or oat milk and use a plant-based butter alternative.
Try layering other Halloween colors like purple or green for a more festive look.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw and warm slices in a toaster or oven until soft.

How to Serve

The image shows three slices of rolled bread with multiple layers, placed side by side on a white rectangular plate. Each slice has a swirl pattern with dark purple and reddish layers alternating with lighter beige dough. The texture looks soft and slightly crumbly with a dusting of flour on the top crust. The bread appears thick and rich, emphasizing the contrast between the colors of the layers. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with subtle gray veins. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast. Use about 25% less instant yeast and add it directly to the dry ingredients.

Why is my bread not rising properly?

Make sure your milk and egg mixture is warm but not hot, as high temperatures can kill the yeast. Also, check that your yeast is fresh and not expired, and allow enough time for the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area.

Vampire Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 101 reviews

Vampire Bread is a visually striking and delicious loaf with swirls of bold red and black coloring, perfect for Halloween or themed parties. This soft yeast bread is made with simple ingredients and colored with food dye to create a fun and festive appearance. The bread is kneaded, allowed to rise twice, and baked to golden perfection for a unique, colorful treat.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 12 slices 1x
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup HOT Reduced Fat Milk
1 Egg Yolk
1 1/2 tbsp Butter

Dry Ingredients

3 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 1/2 tbsp Sugar
2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast
1 tsp Salt (Note: 2 tsp salt mentioned, choose 2 tsp for mixing)

Coloring

Black Food Coloring
Red Food Coloring

Instructions

Prepare Milk and Egg Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of hot reduced fat milk and 1 egg yolk. Microwave the mixture for 25-30 seconds, then set it aside to cool slightly.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer base, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the warmed milk and egg yolk mixture, 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, and 2 teaspoons salt to the flour mixture. Stir until the dough starts coming together.
Knead the Dough: Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes or use a stand mixer with the dough hook for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Divide and Color the Dough: Divide the dough evenly into 2-3 pieces and place each piece in a separate small bowl. Cover with a tea towel. Remove one piece at a time and knead in black or red food coloring as desired for the swirl effect. Cover again with the towel.
First Rise: Let the colored dough pieces rise, covered, until doubled in size, which takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Prepare Dough Layers: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough evenly into four portions. Drop a small amount of food coloring onto each portion, then roll each into an 8×4 inch rectangle. Layer the differently colored dough rectangles on top of each other in your preferred color order.
Shape and Second Rise: Lightly grease the inside of a 9×5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper. Roll the layered dough tightly from the short end into a loaf shape and place it in the prepared pan. Cover with a tea towel and let it rise again until doubled, about 1 hour.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the towel and bake the loaf for about 30 minutes or until fully cooked and golden brown on top.
Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and cool completely in the pan before slicing into 12 pieces. Enjoy your colorful Vampire Bread!

Notes

Use food-grade coloring suitable for baking to ensure safe consumption and vibrant color.
Make sure the milk is warm but not too hot when mixed with yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
If dough is sticky, lightly flour the surface when kneading but avoid adding too much flour to keep the bread soft.
This bread stores well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
For a vegan version, substitute milk with plant-based milk and egg yolk with a flax egg or commercial egg replacer.

Keywords: Vampire Bread, Halloween Bread, Colored Bread, Yeast Bread, Swirled Bread, Festive Bread