Cinnamon rolls are an extra special Easter breakfast treat and this shaping method makes them even more fun. You can use any recipe you love or even store-bought cinnamon roll dough to make the process easier. They can bake as you hunt for Easter eggs! I tested this idea using a few different methods, so I’ll share the results below. Decorate them with festive sprinkles or any toppings you love for a cute Easter breakfast.
How to Make Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
To make cinnamon rolls from scratch, prepare your favorite cinnamon roll dough as directed and let the dough rise in a bowl for about 1 hour. For these photos, I used my famous gluten-free cinnamon roll recipe. But, you can use another easy cinnamon roll recipe, or a package of cinnamon roll dough to make these adorable bunny cinnamon rolls even easier. Once the dough has risen, use a rolling pin to roll it into a large rectangle, just as if you were making regular cinnamon rolls. Top with the cinnamon sugar mixture, then use a pizza cutter to slice the rolls into roughly 14 thin strips. Roll each strip, starting at the bottom and working towards the top, until it creates a cinnamon roll shape. Repeat with the remaining dough. Prepare a 9×13-inch pan by greasing it with cooking spray and cut several strips of parchment paper, about 1 inch thick and 6 inches long, to have nearby. Place one of the cinnamon rolls in the pan and start unrolling it to the halfway point of the roll. Use the strip you just unrolled to form two bunny ears and secure the outer end of the roll near the center of the cinnamon roll. It should look like a bunny head! Repeat this process, unrolling each cinnamon roll about halfway and forming bunny ears on top. For the best results, arrange the Easter bunny cinnamon rolls next to each other, with a strip of parchment paper between each roll. Be sure to alternate when the ears or bunny face are touching the edge of the pan, as shown in the photos. This arrangement will prevent the bunny ears from spreading too much as they bake in the oven. If you attempt to place these bunny-shaped cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet without them touching, the ears will distort as they bake. The only way around this (if you prefer to use a baking sheet) is to use a toothpick to hold them together, but then you’ll need to remove each toothpick after baking. Plus, cinnamon rolls dry out when baked on a sheet like this. If you prefer a crunchy cinnamon roll, rather than a gooey one, this is another option. For more tender results, bake them close together in the 9×13-inch pan as directed. It’s by far the easiest method! Let the cinnamon rolls rise for a second time, about 45 minutes, then bake at 350ºF for 25 to 30 minutes. Gluten-free cinnamon rolls with not turn as golden brown as traditional ones, but they are still just as delicious. Immediately spread your favorite frosting or glaze over the cinnamon rolls with a spatula while they are still warm. It should melt into the cinnamon roll, so you still see the cute bunny shape. Top with sprinkles or any other toppings you like for a fun holiday treat. Serve cinnamon rolls warm for the best experience. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Looking for more fun morning breakfast ideas? Try Bunny Pancakes, Easter Deviled Eggs (that look like chicks!), or Spinach Pancakes. If you try this bunny cinnamon roll recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like them.
