These fun Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls are soft, sweet, and packed with cinnamon goodness! Perfect for adding a festive touch to your brunch table, they look cute and taste amazing!
Baking these rolls is always a joy! I love seeing everyone’s smiles when they spot the bunny shapes. Plus, the lovely aroma of cinnamon fills the kitchen—who can resist? 🐰
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose Flour: This is the backbone of your dough. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can try whole wheat flour. Just note that the texture might be denser.
Active Dry Yeast: Don’t have this? You can swap it for instant yeast in the same amount. Instant yeast is super simple since you don’t need to dissolve it in warm water first.
Whole Milk: If you’re dairy-free, almond milk or oat milk works well here. Just ensure it’s warmed slightly before adding to the mix!
Brown Sugar: For a richer taste, use dark brown sugar. You can also use coconut sugar for a different flavor profile. Honey can be used too, but reduce the liquid in your filling slightly.
Vanilla Extract: For more flavor, consider using almond extract or a dash of maple extract instead. It will give your icing an interesting twist!
How Do I Knead Dough Like a Pro?
Kneading dough is crucial to build gluten, which gives the rolls their lovely texture. Here’s how to do it right:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Flatten it with your palms.
- Fold the dough over itself, and push it down with the heels of your hands.
- Turn the dough a quarter turn and repeat. It takes about 6-8 minutes to properly knead.
Don’t rush through this – really work the dough until it feels smooth and elastic. If it’s sticking too much, dust with a little more flour, but try not to add too much.
What’s the Best Way to Shape Bunny Faces?
Shaping the rolls into bunny faces is part of the fun! Here’s a simple way to do it:
- After slicing into rolls, take a small knife and make a small cut at the top of each roll for two ears.
- You can also use extra dough to create little ear shapes and just attach them to the top.
- Position the rolls on a baking sheet with enough space between them, as they’ll puff up during the second rise!
This little bit of creativity will make your cinnamon rolls cute and festive! Enjoy the decorating process!
How to Make Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warm
- 1/4 cup water, warm
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For The Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
For The Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Decorations:
- Mini candy-coated chocolate eggs or colored candy for noses
- Mini marshmallows or white candy for eyes
- Edible food coloring or edible markers (optional, for eyes detail)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take roughly 2 hours to prepare and cook, including about 1 hour for the dough to rise and 30 minutes for the second rise. In the end, you’ll have a batch of fun and delicious Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls that everyone will adore!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup of flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, and salt. Then, add the warm milk, warm water, melted butter, and egg. Beat this mixture for about 2 minutes until it’s smooth. Gradually incorporate the remaining flour into the mixture until you form a soft dough.
2. Knead and Rest:
Turn this dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for around 6-8 minutes. It should be elastic and smooth. Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
3. Make Cinnamon Filling:
While the dough is rising, mix the brown sugar with ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Ensure your butter is nice and soft for easy spreading later!
4. Roll and Fill Dough:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to remove air bubbles. Roll the dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter over this dough, then generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
5. Form Rolls:
Starting from one of the longer edges, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 8 equal rolls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
6. Shape Bunny Faces:
For some bunny fun, take each roll and place it flat on the baking sheet. For bunny ears, cut a small slice at the top of each roll to create ear shapes. Alternatively, you can roll small pieces of extra dough into ear shapes and attach them to the rolls.
7. Second Rise:
Cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise again for about 30 minutes until they look nice and puffy.
8. Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake these adorable rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are a lovely golden brown.
9. Make Icing:
While your rolls are baking, grab a bowl and mix together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until it’s smooth and thick yet pourable.
10. Decorate:
Once the rolls have cooled for a bit, drizzle the icing over them. Attach mini marshmallows or white candies for the eyes, and use mini chocolate eggs or colored candies for the noses. If you’re feeling artistic, use edible markers or food coloring to add details like pupils to the eyes!
11. Serve:
Let the icing set for a few minutes, then serve your delightful Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the sweet festivities!
Enjoy these cute, sweet cinnamon rolls perfect for celebrating Easter!
Can I Use Different Types of Flour?
Absolutely! If you want a healthier twist, you can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Just keep in mind that the rolls may turn out denser compared to using all-purpose flour.
How Do I Store Leftover Cinnamon Rolls?
Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but for best flavor and texture, enjoy them fresh!
Can I Prepare the Dough the Night Before?
Yes, you can! After kneading the dough, let it rise as directed, then punch it down and place it in the fridge. In the morning, take it out, let it come to room temperature, and then continue with rolling and shaping.
What If My Dough Doesn’t Rise?
If your dough doesn’t rise, it might be due to inactive yeast or a chilly environment. Ensure your yeast is fresh by testing it in warm water with sugar before starting. You can also place the dough in a slightly warm oven to help it rise better.
