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

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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