Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls

Easter mornings in my house always start with something sweet baking in the oven, and these Easter bunny cinnamon rolls have become a favorite tradition.

Soft, golden, and shaped like the cutest little bunnies, they bring a little extra fun to the breakfast table.

The cinnamon-sugar swirls make the kitchen smell amazing, and once they’re topped with icing and pastel sprinkles, they look almost too adorable to eat—almost.

The best part is how easy they are to make. Since they start with store-bought dough, there’s no waiting around for hours.

Shaping the bunny ears is something even the kids love helping with, and seeing their little creations puff up in the oven makes it even more special.

Serve them warm, and don’t be surprised if they disappear before you even get a chance to sit down!

Table of Contents

Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Ingredients

For The Dough

3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (180ml) warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
¼ cup (55g) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For The Filling

⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup (100g) brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

For Assembly

1 tablespoon milk (for brushing)
½ cup (125g) powdered sugar (for dusting)

For The Icing

¾ cup (90g) powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration

Pastel-colored sugar pearls

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
Warm the milk and add it to the dry ingredients along with softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 12×15 inches / 30×38 cm).
Spread softened butter evenly over the surface. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it generously over the buttered dough.
Roll the dough tightly from the longer side to form a log. Slice into 12 even pieces.
Take each roll and unroll a small section from the bottom to create two “ears.” Gently twist and shape these pieces to form bunny ears.
Place shaped rolls onto a parchment-lined baking tray, spacing them slightly apart.
Cover with a clean towel and let rise again for 30-40 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush rolls lightly with milk and bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Mix icing ingredients until smooth. Once the rolls have slightly cooled, drizzle icing over each bunny-shaped roll.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar and decorate with sugar pearls to resemble bunny faces.
Allow icing to set for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips For Making Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

Making soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls is easy if you follow the right steps. Here are some useful tips to get the best results every time:

Use fresh yeast: If your yeast is old or expired, the dough won’t rise properly, and the rolls may turn out dense.
Let the dough rise in a warm place: A cold environment can slow down the rising process, making the dough tough.
Don’t add too much flour: Adding too much flour makes the dough dry and hard. It should be soft and slightly sticky.
Roll the dough evenly: This helps the cinnamon filling spread out properly and bake evenly.
Don’t overbake: Cinnamon rolls should be golden brown on top but still soft inside. Overbaking makes them dry.
Add icing while they’re warm: This helps the icing melt slightly and soak into the rolls for extra flavor.

What Happens If You Let Cinnamon Rolls Rise Too Long?

Letting cinnamon rolls rise too long can affect their texture and taste. Here’s what might happen:

Dough becomes too airy: The rolls may rise so much that they become too light and lose their shape.
Yeast overworks: If the dough sits too long, the yeast can produce a strong, fermented flavor, making the rolls taste sour.
Deflation after baking: Over-risen dough can collapse in the oven, leading to flat rolls instead of fluffy ones.

To avoid this, follow the recommended rise times and bake them as soon as they are properly puffed up.

How Do You Know When Cinnamon Rolls Are Done?

You don’t want to take them out too early or too late. Here’s how to tell when they’re perfectly baked:

Golden brown top: The rolls should have a nice golden-brown color on top.
Firm but soft texture: Gently press the center of a roll—if it springs back slightly, it’s done. If it sinks or feels doughy, it needs more time.
Internal temperature: If you have a thermometer, the center of the rolls should be 190°F (88°C) when fully baked.

If you’re unsure, it’s better to check early rather than risk overbaking them.

Why Did My Cinnamon Rolls Turn Out Hard?

Hard cinnamon rolls can be disappointing, but it usually happens for a few reasons:

Too much flour: Adding too much flour makes the dough dry and tough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Not enough kneading: Kneading helps develop gluten, which makes the rolls soft and fluffy. If the dough isn’t kneaded enough, it won’t have a good texture.
Overbaking: Baking too long dries out the rolls. Always check for a golden top and a soft center.
Skipping the second rise: Letting the rolls rise after shaping helps them become light and fluffy. Skipping this step makes them dense and hard.

To fix slightly hard cinnamon rolls, warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or brush them with melted butter before serving.

How Long Do Cinnamon Rolls Need To Rise?

Cinnamon rolls need two rise times:

First rise (after kneading the dough): 1 to 2 hours, until the dough doubles in size.
Second rise (after shaping into rolls): 30 to 45 minutes, until the rolls puff up before baking.

The exact time depends on room temperature. If it’s warm, they rise faster. If it’s cold, they may take longer.

How To Store Cinnamon Rolls?

If you have leftovers, storing them the right way keeps them soft and fresh:

At room temperature: Keep them in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days.
In the fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat before eating.
In the freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and warm before serving.

For extra softness, warm stored rolls in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before eating. Brushing with a little butter also helps refresh them.