These adorable Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls are a sweet treat perfect for the holiday! They’re soft, fluffy, and filled with warm cinnamon sugar, making breakfast extra special.
Who can resist those cute bunny shapes? I love adding little chocolate chips for eyes—they’re so much fun to make! Perfect for sharing with family (or keeping all to myself!). 🐰
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of your dough, giving it structure. For a lighter roll, you can substitute half with bread flour for a fluffier texture.
Active dry yeast: Essential for the dough to rise. If you have instant yeast, it’s a great substitute. Just mix it in with your dry ingredients, skipping the soaking step.
Whole milk: It adds richness to the dough. If you want to lighten it up, you can use almond milk or any non-dairy milk. Just ensure it’s warm enough to activate the yeast.
Unsalted butter: This helps create a soft texture. If needed, coconut oil can be a dairy-free option that also works well.
Brown sugar: It enhances the sweetness and adds moisture. If you run out, you can mix white sugar with a bit of molasses as a substitute.
What’s the Best Way to Knead Dough for Cinnamon Rolls?
Kneading is crucial for developing gluten, giving your rolls their chewiness. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Lightly flour your work surface and place your dough there.
- Push the dough away from you using the heels of your hands.
- Fold the dough in half, then give it a quarter turn and repeat. Keep going for about 7-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
- If the dough sticks, add a little flour as necessary, but don’t overdo it; too much flour makes the rolls dense.
How to Make Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For The Filling:
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
For The Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For Decorating:
- Small pastel-colored candy-coated chocolate eggs (preferably speckled, for bunny noses and ears)
- Mini chocolate chips or small chocolate candies (for eyes)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take around 2 to 2.5 hours including preparation and rising time. The hands-on time is about 45 minutes, with the rest being rising and baking. Perfect for a festive gathering!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
Start by warming the milk until it’s lukewarm (about 110°F or 43°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast and warm milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy. Next, add the sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg, stirring to combine. Gradually mix in the flour until the dough begins to come together. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 7-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it’s doubled in size.
2. Make the Filling:
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together. Set your softened butter aside for later.
3. Roll and Fill:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 15×9 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter to cover it entirely.
4. Shape the Rolls:
Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly to form a log. Cut this log into 8 equal slices. To make bunny shapes, take one slice and use it for the face, pinching two small sections at the top to form “ears” or separating some of the dough to create small ears attached on top of the roll. Place each shaped roll on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Second Rise:
Cover the shaped rolls with a towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, until they’re puffy and fluffed up.
6. Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and lovely.
7. Prepare the Icing:
While your rolls are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth icing that’s perfect for drizzling.
8. Decorate:
Let the rolls cool slightly. Once they are cool, drizzle icing over each roll. Place two candy eggs on the ears for bunny ears, one candy egg in the center front for the nose, and mini chocolate chips or small candies above the nose for the eyes!
9. Serve:
Arrange your adorable Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls on a festive plate. Serve them warm or at room temperature for everyone to enjoy!
Enjoy your charming and delicious Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can! However, whole wheat flour can make the rolls denser. For the best results, consider using half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour to maintain some lightness.
How Can I Make the Dough Rise Faster?
If you need to speed up the rising process, you can place the dough in a slightly warm oven (turn it off, then leave the light on) or near a warm window. Just be careful not to let it get too hot!
What Should I Do If My Dough Doesn’t Rise?
If your dough isn’t rising, it may be due to inactive yeast. Ensure your yeast is fresh and that the milk wasn’t too hot or too cold when added. If it’s been 1.5 hours and it’s still not rising, it might be best to start over with fresh ingredients.
Can I Freeze the Cinnamon Rolls Before Baking?
Absolutely! After shaping the rolls, you can freeze them on the baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and let them rise for about 30 minutes before baking as directed.
