Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls

These Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls are a fun and festive twist on classic cinnamon rolls, shaped like adorable bunny ears! Soft, fluffy, and topped with a sweet glaze, these cute pastries are perfect for Easter brunch, a family breakfast, or a fun baking activity with kids.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Festive & Fun – Perfect for Easter celebrations.
  • Soft & Gooey – Classic cinnamon rolls with a sweet, spiced filling.
  • Easy to Make – Use store-bought dough for a quick option or homemade for a special touch.
  • Kid-Friendly – A great baking activity for little helpers.
  • Customizable – Add sprinkles, colored icing, or even a cream cheese glaze.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Dough (Homemade Option):

  • All-purpose flour
  • Instant yeast
  • Warm milk
  • Unsalted butter (melted)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

  • Brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter (softened)

For the Glaze:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Milk or heavy cream

Optional Toppings:

  • Pastel sprinkles
  • Colored icing
  • Mini chocolate chips (for bunny eyes)
  • Cream cheese frosting

Directions

Prepare the Dough (Skip if Using Store-Bought Rolls):

  1. Activate Yeast – Mix warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients – In a bowl, combine melted butter, eggs, and sugar. Stir in yeast mixture.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients – Add flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
  4. Rise – Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.

Make the Cinnamon Rolls:

  1. Roll Out Dough – On a floured surface, roll dough into a large rectangle.
  2. Spread Filling – Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter, then spread over the dough.
  3. Roll & Cut – Roll up tightly and slice into 8-12 rolls.

Shape the Bunny Rolls:

  1. Make Bunny Ears – Take each roll and uncoil the top slightly. Twist the unrolled ends into loops to form bunny ears.
  2. Second Rise – Let shaped rolls rise for 30 minutes.

Bake & Glaze:

  1. Preheat Oven – Set to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake – Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Glaze – Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Drizzle over warm rolls.

Decorate & Serve:

  1. Add Details – Use sprinkles, chocolate chips, or icing to decorate bunny faces.
  2. Enjoy! – Serve warm for the best flavor.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 8-12 rolls
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Rise Time: 90 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Variations

  • Chocolate Bunny Rolls – Add chocolate chips to the filling.
  • Carrot Cake Inspired – Mix in shredded carrots and a pinch of nutmeg.
  • Gluten-Free Version – Use a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Nutty Cinnamon Rolls – Add chopped pecans or walnuts.
  • Fruit-Filled Bunny Rolls – Spread a thin layer of jam before rolling.

Storage/Reheating

  • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Refrigerator: Keep for up to 5 days; reheat before serving.
  • Freezing: Freeze unglazed rolls for up to 3 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
  • Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 15 seconds or bake at 300°F for 5 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought cinnamon rolls?

Yes! Simply shape them into bunny ears before baking.

How do I keep my cinnamon rolls soft?

Cover them with plastic wrap while cooling to prevent drying out.

Can I make these the night before?

Yes! Shape the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake in the morning.

How do I make a cream cheese glaze?

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.

Can I make mini bunny rolls?

Yes! Cut smaller rolls and reduce the baking time by 5 minutes.

What’s the best way to shape bunny ears?

Unroll the top of the roll slightly and twist the ends into loops.

Can I use a different glaze?

Yes! Try caramel drizzle, maple glaze, or white chocolate icing.

What pairs well with these cinnamon rolls?

Enjoy them with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

Can I add food coloring to the glaze?

Yes! Use pastel colors for a fun Easter look.

How do I make them extra gooey?

Add extra butter and sugar to the filling, and bake with a little heavy cream poured over the rolls.

Conclusion

These Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls are a cute and festive way to celebrate Easter morning! Soft, sweet, and fun to decorate, they bring a touch of whimsy to your holiday table. Whether making them from scratch or using store-bought dough, these bunny-shaped treats are sure to delight kids and adults alike. Try them today and make Easter breakfast extra special!

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Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls

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These Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls are a fun twist on classic cinnamon rolls, shaped into cute bunny ears and topped with a sweet glaze. Perfect for Easter brunch, breakfast, or a festive springtime treat!

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 bunny-shaped cinnamon rolls 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

For the Cinnamon Filling:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decorating (Optional):

  • Mini chocolate chips or raisins (for eyes)
  • Pink sprinkles or M&M’s (for nose)
  • Shredded coconut (for a fluffy bunny tail)

Instructions

Make the Dough:

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Stir until combined.
  3. Knead Dough: Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Make the Filling & Shape the Bunnies:

  1. Prepare Filling: In a bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
  2. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
  3. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the cinnamon-sugar filling over the dough.
  4. Cut & Shape:
    • Roll the dough tightly from the long side and cut into 6 equal slices.
    • Place rolls on a baking sheet.
    • To make bunny ears, unroll the top part of each cinnamon roll slightly and shape into two loops for ears.
  5. Second Rise: Cover loosely and let rise for 20-30 minutes.

Bake & Decorate:

 

  1. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown.
  2. Make the Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Decorate: Drizzle glaze over warm cinnamon rolls. Add mini chocolate chips for eyes, a pink candy for the nose, and coconut for a bunny tail.

Notes

  • Shortcut Option: Use store-bought cinnamon rolls and reshape them into bunny faces before baking.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare dough the night before and refrigerate. Let rise for 30 minutes at room temp before baking.
  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

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