CinnuBunnies
Cute and tasty bunny-shaped cinnamon rolls, perfect for Easter brunch or any festive gathering. Easy to make with store-bought dough or from scratch.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 can refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (8–12 oz) shortcut option
- 3 cups all-purpose flour for homemade dough
- 2.25 tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the Filling
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened for spreading
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tsp milk or cream for glaze
- 1/4 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
Optional add-ins
- raisins for eyes
- mini chocolate chips for eyes
- almond slivers for eyes
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Dough
- For shortcut: Unroll canned cinnamon-roll dough and press seams gently to form a single sheet.
- For homemade: Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix warm milk, melted butter, and egg; add to dry ingredients. Knead until smooth, let rise 45–60 minutes until doubled, then roll into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick.
Make the Filling
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough sheet, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture across the surface.
Roll and Slice
- Tightly roll the dough lengthwise into a log. Use a sharp knife to cut the log into 1-inch slices.
Shape Bunnies
- Place each cinnamon roll on the baking sheet with the spiral facing up.
- Using kitchen shears or a knife, cut a small slit at the top third of each roll; spread those two pieces apart to form ears. Tuck the front bottom slightly to form a rounded face if desired.
- Press raisins or mini chocolate chips into place for eyes.
Bake and Glaze
- Bake 12–18 minutes (canned dough) or 18–25 minutes (homemade dough) until the rolls are golden brown and the centers are set.
- Whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over warm bunnies or brush on and let set.
Serve
- Cool briefly and serve warm.
Notes
These rolls can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight before baking. They are freezer-friendly when baked unglazed and can be reheated in the oven for the best texture.