Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls

Published by Ilyas, Date :

April 11, 2025

If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate Easter morning, these Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect treat! Shaped like adorable bunny ears and topped with a sweet glaze, these soft, gooey pastries are sure to delight both kids and adults. Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, planning a family breakfast, or simply looking for a fun baking activity, these bunny-shaped rolls are as delicious as they are charming. Dive into this ultimate guide to creating the perfect batch of Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cinnamon rolls aren’t just a dessert—they’re an experience. Here’s why they stand out:

Festive & Fun: Perfect for Easter celebrations, these bunny-shaped rolls add a whimsical touch to your holiday table.
Soft & Gooey: Classic cinnamon rolls with a sweet, spiced filling that melts in your mouth.
Easy to Make: Use store-bought dough for a quick option or homemade dough for a special touch.
Kid-Friendly: A great baking activity for little helpers who love to shape the bunny ears and decorate.
Customizable: Add sprinkles, colored icing, cream cheese frosting, or even mini chocolate chips for extra flair.

Ingredients

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

To create these delightful Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls, gather the following key components:

For the Dough (Homemade Option):

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and ensures a soft, fluffy texture.
Instant Yeast: Helps the dough rise and creates that pillowy softness.
Warm Milk: Activates the yeast and adds moisture to the dough.
Unsalted Butter (Melted): Adds richness and contributes to the rolls’ tender crumb.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast during fermentation.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.

For the Cinnamon Filling:

Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the filling.
Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, spiced flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet dough.
Unsalted Butter (Softened): Spreads easily over the dough and helps the filling stick.

For the Glaze:

Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet coating.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the glaze with its warm, aromatic notes.
Milk or Heavy Cream: Thins the glaze to drizzle consistency.

Optional Toppings:

Pastel Sprinkles: Add a festive touch for Easter.
Colored Icing: Create playful designs on the bunny faces.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Use for bunny eyes or other decorative details.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap out the simple glaze for a tangy, creamy alternative.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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

Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm milk, instant yeast, and a teaspoon of granulated sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This indicates the yeast is active and ready to use.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine melted unsalted butter, eggs, and granulated sugar. Stir in the yeast mixture until fully incorporated.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Make the Cinnamon Rolls:

Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick.
Spread Filling: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and softened butter. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Roll & Cut: Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice the log into 8-12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts.

Shape the Bunny Rolls:

Make Bunny Ears: Take each roll and uncoil the top slightly. Twist the unrolled ends into loops to form bunny ears. This step is simple yet adds a playful touch to the rolls.
Second Rise: Place the shaped rolls in a greased baking dish, cover them, and let them rise for 30 minutes.

Bake & Glaze:

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake: Bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking, as they should remain soft and gooey inside.
Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or heavy cream until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls for a sweet finish.

Decorate & Serve:

Add Details: Use pastel sprinkles, colored icing, or mini chocolate chips to decorate the bunny faces. Get creative and involve the kids for a fun decorating session!
Enjoy: Serve warm for the best flavor and enjoy with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

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

Perfect for holidays or weekend baking projects, these rolls deliver big flavor and charm with manageable effort.

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Variations

Love experimenting with flavors? Here are some fun ways to customize your Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls:

Chocolate Bunny Rolls: Add chocolate chips to the filling for a decadent twist.
Carrot Cake Inspired: Mix shredded carrots and a pinch of nutmeg into the dough for a carrot cake-inspired version.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free alternative.
Nutty Cinnamon Rolls: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra crunch.
Fruit-Filled Bunny Rolls: Spread a thin layer of jam (such as raspberry or apricot) before rolling for a fruity surprise.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Proper storage ensures your cinnamon rolls stay fresh and delicious:

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Extend freshness by refrigerating for up to 5 days; reheat before serving.
Freezing: Freeze unglazed rolls in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then glaze before serving.

For reheating, warm in the microwave for 15 seconds or bake at 300°F for 5 minutes to restore their gooey texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about this recipe:

Can I use store-bought cinnamon rolls?
Yes! Simply shape them into bunny ears before baking for a quick and easy option.

How do I keep my cinnamon rolls soft?
Cover them with plastic wrap while cooling to prevent drying out. Adding a little heavy cream poured over the rolls before baking can also help retain moisture.

Can I make these the night before?
Absolutely! Shape the rolls, cover them, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature before baking in the morning.

How do I make a cream cheese glaze?
Mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker one.

Can I make mini bunny rolls?
Yes! Cut smaller rolls and reduce the baking time by 5 minutes. Mini rolls are perfect for bite-sized treats.

What’s the best way to shape bunny ears?
Unroll the top of the roll slightly and twist the ends into loops. This creates the iconic bunny ear look.

Can I use a different glaze?
Absolutely! Try caramel drizzle, maple glaze, or white chocolate icing for a unique twist.

What pairs well with these cinnamon rolls?
Enjoy them with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for a comforting breakfast or snack.

Can I add food coloring to the glaze?
Yes! Use pastel colors for a fun Easter look that matches the festive theme.

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 for an ultra-gooey texture.

Final Thoughts

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. Their versatility, ease of preparation, and charming presentation make them a must-have recipe for any Easter celebration.

So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to whip up a batch of these irresistible rolls. Once you take your first bite, you’ll understand why they’re a timeless classic with a festive Easter twist!