Description
These Easter Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect sweet treat for your holiday brunch or breakfast, with vibrant pastel colors and a fluffy, cinnamon-sugar filling. Topped with rich cream cheese frosting and festive decorations, including coconut “grass,” marshmallow bunnies, and pastel eggs, these rolls are sure to delight both kids and adults. A fun and flavorful way to celebrate Easter, these cinnamon rolls are a colorful centerpiece for your table!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3/4 cup milk, warmed to 110°F
- 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry or instant yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 3/4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
- 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
- 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing
- 1/4 teaspoon pastel pink gel food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon pastel purple gel food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon pastel blue gel food coloring
Topping:
- 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon green gel food coloring
- Marshmallow bunnies and pastel-colored chocolate eggs, for decorating
Filling:
- 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (1 pound)
- 6 tablespoons heavy cream, plus more if needed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer, combine bread flour, dry milk powder, and salt. Add yeast mixture, eggs, and butter. Mix on low speed until dough comes together.
- Color the Dough: Divide dough into 3 portions, add food coloring to each, and knead to incorporate colors.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Roll and Fill: Roll each colored dough portion into a rectangle, spread with butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll up tightly and cut into 12 pieces.
- Second Rise: Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch dish, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until golden.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Top Rolls: Frost rolls, then decorate with coconut “grass,” marshmallow bunnies, and pastel eggs.
Notes
- Dough can be made the night before and refrigerated overnight for convenience.
- Use all-purpose flour as a substitute for bread flour, though rolls may be slightly less chewy.
- Coconut can be replaced with shredded white chocolate or sprinkles.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American