These light and fluffy Bunny Cinnamon Rolls make the most adorable addition to your Easter brunch table. You can follow our easy step-by-step instructions on how to make cinnamon roll bunnies from scratch, or take a couple of shortcuts to have them ready in a fraction of the time.
Using our simple cinnamon roll frosting and a few basic candy decorations, these easy homemade cinnamon rolls transform into adorable Easter bunnies right before your eyes. Easter Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for Easter Brunch along with more of the best brunch recipes. And if you're looking for a savory "bunny roll" recipe, we have another darling bunny shaped roll recipe you're going to love too.
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Easter Cinnamon Roll Bunnies
When Spring rolls around, what cuter way to celebrate the season than with these Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls? They’re absolutely delish, easy to prepare and perfect for serving at Easter Brunch, Mother’s Day, baby showers or even a special weekend at home.
This recipe gives you step-by-step instructions so that you don’t need to be intimidated by baking with yeast or confused by how to shape the cinnamon roll bunnies. We have also given you ideas for using both canned cinnamon roll dough and canned frosting for those mornings when you want the cinnamon rolls, but just don’t have the time.
If you are looking for regular Cinnamon Rolls, we’ve got those too, along with Caramel Cinnamon Rolls, Wheat Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls and even Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread.
Ingredients in Cinnamon Roll Bunnies
Dough
- Water - you want this to be lukewarm to help activate the yeast. You can also substitute milk, warming it to no more than 115 degrees F.
- Sugar - we use white granulated sugar for the dough, or you could certainly use the same amount of honey instead.
- Yeast - this recipe calls for active dry yeast which must be activated, or “proofed.” It comes in a few different sized packages - a small envelope, a small jar or a large 1 pound air-sealed package.
- Butter - you want the butter to be either melted, or incredibly soft. You could also use avocado oil if you’d like.
- Eggs - any kind of large eggs will do. It helps if they have come to room temperature, but don’t worry if you forget. You can also run them under warm water while they are still in the shells. The eggs help with rising and the fats in the yolk help keep the dough tender and light.
- Salt - you can use regular sea salt or table salt, but I like to use pink Himalayan sea salt in my baking. It has extra vitamins and minerals in it that regular table salt doesn’t have.
- Flour - we like to use all-purpose flour, but you can also substitute bread flour if you would like.
Cinnamon Sugar Filling
- Butter - this should be melted or incredibly soft.
- Brown Sugar - you can use either dark or light brown sugar, keeping in mind that dark brown sugar has a more intense molasses flavor.
- Cinnamon - any kind of ground cinnamon.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Butter - make sure your butter is at room temperature so that it will mix well with the other ingredients.
- Cream Cheese - you’ll want your cream cheese to be at room temperature, too!
- Powdered Sugar - any type will work.
- Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract tastes best.
- Milk - this can be room temperature or cool.
Easter Bunny Face
- Candy Eyes - Wilton makes candy eyes, or you may be able to find another brand at the store. You can also use frosting, chocolate chips, M&Ms or another other small dark candies.
- Jelly Bean Nose - you can pink out pink jelly beans from a bag, use pink frosting or even find pink candy eggs.
- Whiskers - either licorice pieces or chocolate frosting work great for making bunny whiskers.
How to Make Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1 - Mix The Dough
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the warm water, sugar and yeast and stir well. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it gets bubbly and activates the yeast.
- Add the melted butter, eggs, salt and 3 cups of flour into the yeast mixture, then mix on low using the dough hook for 2 minutes, or until everything is well-mixed.
- Add an additional 2.5 cups of flour, then stir on low to combine. Add up to 1 cup more flour slowly, only until the dough pulls away from the edges of the bowl. Once all of the flour has been added, continue to knead on low for 3 minutes more.
Step 2 - Let The Dough Rise
- Turn off the mixer and cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rest in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Step 2 - Roll And Cut The Cinnamon Rolls
- Once the dough has doubled, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently roll the dough into a rectangle that is ½" thick and approximately 24" x 18."
- Using an offset spatula, or knife, carefully spread the butter evenly onto the rolled dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the top and pat down gently.
- Starting at either 24" side, roll the dough up evenly making sure to get a nice tight tube, then cut into 1" slices using a very sharp knife or floss.
- Carefully unroll about 5 inches of each cinnamon roll and shape into two bunny ears, as seen in our photo.
- Lay the slices ½"-1" apart in a greased 9 x 13" baking pan and cover loosely with a kitchen towel. Let the cinnamon rolls rise for another 30 minutes, or until doubled and touching in the pan.
Step 3 - Make The Cream Cheese Icing
- In an electric mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and room temperature cream cheese until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer down very low and add 3 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk and the vanilla. Mix on low until all the ingredients are combined, then turn the mixer on high again and beat until fluffy.
- Add more powdered sugar and/or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 4 - Bake and Decorate
- Bake in a preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the bottom and the top are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and spread the cinnamon roll icing over the tops while they are still warm. Let them cool for about 10-15 minutes. Add the candy eyes, jelly bean nose and whiskers, then serve slightly warm. Enjoy!
Tips, Tricks and Variations
- If you think you may have any leftovers, only decorate what you think you’ll eat. It will make reheating any extras much easier!
- Even if you are short on time, you can still make these cute Bunny Cinnamon Rolls using canned cinnamon roll dough and premade frosting.
- If you want to use a different flavor, try our Lemon Sweet Rolls or Triple Berry Sweet Rolls recipes.
- We’ve given you suggestions for decorations for the bunny faces, but you can use whatever you can find, or whatever is easiest. Colored frosting or gel works great!
Frequently Asked Questions
You sure can, which is especially important for Easter brunch. Here are a few options:
-After you have shaped and cut the cinnamon rolls, wrap the pan in plastic wrap and immediately refrigerate overnight. The next morning, pull the pan out, preheat the oven, and bake as directed.
-Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in the fridge overnight. The next day, remove the bowl from the fridge. Let it come up to room temperature, then shape, cut, and bake as directed.
-In order to prep these up to 1 month in advance, you can freeze the shaped and cut cinnamon rolls right in the baking dish. Wrap well with 2 layers of plastic, then store for up to 1 month. The night before baking them, transfer the pan to the fridge, then pull out as you preheat the oven the morning of.
Yes - using canned cinnamon roll dough is a great option if you are short on time. This way, all you will need to do is shape the ears, bake according to the directions on the can, make the frosting and decorate.
Ensure that your cinnamon rolls have cooled for at least 15 minutes before adding any candy or frosting for the bunny faces. Otherwise, they will likely run or melt off.
Storing and Reheating Cinnamon Rolls
- Refrigerator: wrap leftover Bunny Cinnamon Rolls in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: wrap leftover cinnamon rolls in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight.
- To Reheat: for a single portion, you can reheat in the microwave until warm. (Note: If they have candy pieces on them, try and remove them prior to reheating.) Otherwise, add the entire pan of rolls back into the oven at 300 degrees for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Easter Bunny Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 2 cups Water lukewarm
- ¼ cup Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
- ¼ cup Butter melted
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 5.5-6 cups All-Purpose Flour
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- 6 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon Roll Icing
- ¼ cup Butter room temperature
- 8 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
- 3-4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2-3 Tablespoons Milk
Easter Bunny Rolls Decorations
- 48 pieces Wilton Candy Eyes
- ½ cup Pink Jelly Beans
- 12 pieces Black Licorice or Chocolate Frosting
Instructions
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the warm water, sugar and yeast and stir well. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it gets bubbly and activates the yeast.
- Add the melted butter, eggs, salt and 3 cups of flour into the yeast mixture, then mix on low using the bread hook for 2 minutes, or until everything is well-mixed.
- Add an additional 2.5 cups of flour, then stir on low to combine. Add up to 1 cup more flour slowly, only until the dough pulls away from the edges of the bowl. Once all of the flour has been added, continue to knead on low for 3 minutes more.
- Turn off the mixer and cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rest in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Rolling and Cutting Cinnamon Rolls
- Once the dough has doubled, turn it out onto a floured surface. Form the dough into a small rectangle with your hands. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the dough into a rectangle that is ½" thick and approximately 24" x 18." (Note: depending on the size of your work surface, you may need to divide the dough into 2 portions. If so, you can roll each to about 12" x 18" and still ½" thick.)
- Using an offset spatula, or knife, carefully spread the soft or melted butter evenly onto the rolled dough. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the top, then pat down gently.
- Starting at either 24" side, roll the dough up evenly making sure to get a nice tight tube, then cut into 1" slices using a very sharp knife or floss. (Note: we recommend using a ruler and pre-marking before you actually make any cuts.)
- Carefully unroll about 5 inches of each cinnamon roll and shape into two bunny ears, as seen in our photo.
- Lay the cinnamon rolls ½"-1" apart in a greased 9 x 13" baking pan and cover loosely with a kitchen towel. Let the cinnamon rolls rise for another 30 minutes, or until doubled and touching in the pan.
- While your dough is rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Once risen, bake in a preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the bottom and the top are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and spread the cinnamon roll icing over the tops while they are still warm. Let them cool for about 5-10 minutes. Add the candy eyes, jelly bean nose and whiskers, then serve slightly warm. Enjoy!
Cinnamon Roll Icing
- In an electric mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and room temperature cream cheese until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer down very low and add 3 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk and the vanilla. Mix on low until all the ingredients are combined, then turn the mixer on high again and beat until fluffy.
- Add more powdered sugar and/or milk until you reach your desired consistency, then spread a thick layer of frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls.
Nutrition
More of the Best Cinnamon Roll Recipes
- Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Sticky Buns Recipe
- Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
- Orange Sweet Rolls
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Einkorn Cinnamon Rolls
- Easy Caramel Cinnamon Rolls
- Lemon Sweet Rolls
- More Breakfast Recipes
- More Easter Recipes
- More Sweet Roll Recipes
These Bunny Cinnamon Rolls are delicious, easy to prepare and perfect for serving at Easter Brunch, Mother's Day Brunch, baby showers or even a special weekend at home. Follow our step-by-step instructions and you'll be baking perfect cinnamon rolls in no time.
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