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Cinnamon Rolls


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  • Author: Julia
  • Total Time: 2 1/2 to 3 hours
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

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