The Easter Cinnamon Rolls are a joyful celebration of color, texture, and sweet comfort. With soft layers of buttery bread dough swirled with cinnamon sugar, these rolls are anything but ordinary. What makes them truly special is the tri-color dough, tinted with springtime pastels to create a festive, eye-catching centerpiece.
Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, shredded coconut “grass,” and decorated with playful marshmallow bunnies and pastel chocolate eggs, they transform a classic breakfast treat into an edible Easter garden. They’re perfect for brunch, dessert, or as a family-friendly baking project that kids and adults will both adore.
Full Recipe:
For the Dough:
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3/4 cup milk (warmed to 110°F)
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1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry or instant yeast
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3 tbsp granulated sugar
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1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
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3 large eggs (room temperature)
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3 3/4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
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3 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder
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10 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into tbsp pieces
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1/4 tsp pastel pink gel food coloring
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1/4 tsp pastel purple gel food coloring
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1/4 tsp pastel blue gel food coloring
For the Filling:
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1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
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2 tbsp ground cinnamon
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1/2 tsp kosher salt
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14 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
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4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
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4 cups confectioners’ sugar
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6 tbsp heavy cream (plus more if needed)
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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1/2 tsp kosher salt
For the Topping:
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2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
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1/2 tsp green gel food coloring
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Marshmallow bunnies and pastel chocolate eggs (for decorating)
Directions:
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Make the Dough: In a mixer bowl, whisk milk and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes. Add sugar, salt, and eggs; mix. Add bread flour and dry milk. Stir to combine, then knead with dough hook. Gradually add butter a tablespoon at a time on high speed, kneading for about 12 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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Divide dough into three bowls. Mix pink, purple, and blue food coloring into each bowl respectively. Knead each color separately with the dough hook until fully tinted. Cover each and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes until doubled.
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Prepare Coconut Grass: Mix coconut with green food coloring in a bag or bowl until tinted. Spread out to dry.
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Make Filling: Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix in butter until smooth.
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Butter a 9×13” pan. Halve each dough color, then stack and press into a rectangle on a floured surface. Roll into a 12×15” sheet. Spread filling, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Roll into a log, then slice into 12 rolls. Arrange in pan, cut side up. Let rise 30–40 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden. Cool 30 minutes.
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Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese, sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Adjust consistency if needed.
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Frost the rolls. Sprinkle green coconut on top. Decorate with bunnies and eggs. Serve immediately.
Prep Time: 1 hr 15 mins (active) | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins (including rising & cooling)
Kcal: Approx. 420 kcal per roll | Servings: 12
A Whimsical Easter Morning Treat: The Story Behind These Delightful Cinnamon Rolls
Easter is a time of renewal, warmth, and joyful celebration, and nothing captures the spirit of the season quite like a baking project that’s as playful as it is delicious. The Easter Cinnamon Rolls recipe is more than just a festive twist on a breakfast classic—it’s an edible expression of creativity, color, and comfort. Whether you’re gathering for brunch with family, surprising your kids with a whimsical treat, or simply looking to brighten your weekend with something sweet, these vibrant rolls deliver on all fronts.
Crafted with a soft, buttery dough that’s tinted in soft shades of pink, purple, and blue, the rolls are rolled up with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling and baked to golden perfection. Once cooled, they’re topped with luscious cream cheese frosting and garnished with “grass” made from shredded coconut dyed green. The finishing touches—mini marshmallow bunnies and pastel chocolate eggs—turn each roll into a charming miniature garden, making them the perfect showstopper for your holiday table.
What Makes These Cinnamon Rolls So Special?
Cinnamon rolls themselves have always held a nostalgic place in many households, evoking memories of lazy Sunday mornings or holiday breakfasts. What sets this Easter version apart is the infusion of color and whimsy. It’s not every day you come across baked goods that resemble pastel pinwheels or Easter meadows in miniature.
First, the dough is divided and individually tinted in three different pastel shades using gel food coloring. This alone creates a striking visual effect when the dough is layered, rolled, and sliced into spirals. The result is a stunning, marbled swirl that’s revealed after baking—almost like a hidden surprise tucked inside each roll.
Second, the topping brings an interactive, textural element that engages both kids and adults. The green coconut “grass” and candy toppers not only look festive but invite customization. You can let your kids help decorate their own rolls, turning it into a fun Easter activity that doubles as dessert.
Ideal for Entertaining and Family Gatherings
If you’re hosting Easter brunch or breakfast, these cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to impress. Their colorful presentation looks beautiful on a serving tray or tiered dessert stand, and they pair wonderfully with other brunch staples like fresh fruit, deviled eggs, and ham. Because they’re individually portioned, they’re also easy to serve buffet-style or include in an Easter morning spread.
Additionally, the aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and freshly baked dough fills the kitchen with a sense of cozy indulgence. Guests will be drawn in by the sweet smell alone, and once they take a bite, they’ll appreciate the contrast of gooey filling, creamy frosting, and fluffy bread. The recipe yields 12 rolls, making it ideal for a medium-sized gathering—but it can be easily doubled if you’re feeding a crowd.
Kid-Friendly, But Still Sophisticated
This recipe strikes a rare balance: it’s childlike in its design, but still grown-up in flavor and technique. The sweetness isn’t cloying, thanks to the depth of flavor from the brown sugar and cinnamon filling. The cream cheese frosting adds tang and richness that balances the roll’s softness, while the coconut topping offers a bit of crunch and contrast.
For kids, the colorful dough and candy toppings make this an exciting and approachable bake. It’s a great way to introduce them to working with yeast dough or involve them in decorating. For adults, the roll’s texture, flavor, and charming aesthetics offer a nostalgic nod to childhood Easter mornings—without compromising on quality or presentation.
Tips for Success
Baking these cinnamon rolls does involve a few steps, including making a yeast-based dough, coloring and shaping it, creating the filling, and assembling and decorating the finished product. While this may seem daunting at first glance, the process is manageable—and incredibly rewarding—if you keep a few tips in mind.
Plan Ahead
The dough requires time to rise, so it’s best to start early or even prepare the dough a day in advance. You can complete the first rise, shape the rolls, and then refrigerate them overnight in the pan. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and finish rising before baking. This makes the process more flexible for busy holiday mornings.
Use Gel Food Coloring
Liquid food coloring may alter the dough’s consistency. Gel food coloring provides vivid hues without adding extra moisture, helping you achieve bold, springtime shades that bake evenly and retain their vibrancy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
When placing the rolls in the baking dish, leave space between them. They will rise again and expand during baking, eventually touching and forming soft pull-apart edges.
Let Them Cool Before Frosting
It can be tempting to frost the rolls right out of the oven, but allowing them to cool ensures the frosting stays thick and spreadable rather than melting and disappearing into the bread.
Personalize the Decorations
Feel free to experiment with toppings. Swap out coconut for crushed pistachios or sprinkles, use bunny-shaped candies or jelly beans instead of eggs, or even drizzle a pastel-colored glaze over the frosting for extra pizzazz.
Perfect for Make-Ahead and Gifting
Another wonderful aspect of these cinnamon rolls is that they travel well. Once baked and decorated, they can be packed into gift boxes or containers to share with neighbors, friends, or family who may not be gathering in person. Wrap them in pastel tissue paper and add a ribbon for a thoughtful, homemade Easter gift that rivals anything you’d find in a bakery.
Because the dough can be prepped ahead of time, they’re also an excellent option for hosts who want to bake something special without waking up at dawn. Just pop them in the oven in the morning, frost and decorate, and you’re ready to go.
Variations and Custom Twists
While the traditional cinnamon and sugar filling is classic, adventurous bakers can take liberties with the flavors. Try adding chopped pecans, raisins, or mini chocolate chips to the filling for texture. Infuse the cream cheese frosting with orange zest or almond extract for a more complex flavor profile. You can even create mini rolls for a bite-sized version of the recipe—ideal for party platters or smaller servings.
Not a fan of coconut? No problem! You can achieve a similar “grass” effect using green sprinkles, edible grass candy, or crumbled pistachios. The decorations are a fun place to get creative and put your personal stamp on the dish.
Why This Recipe is Worth Making Year After Year
Once you make these Easter Cinnamon Rolls, they’re likely to become an annual tradition. They check every box: fun to make, fun to eat, visually stunning, and filled with comfort and joy. They capture the essence of Easter in both flavor and festivity, and they create memorable moments—whether you’re baking them with your children, serving them at brunch, or giving them as gifts.
Easter is a season that’s about celebration and sharing, and few recipes embody that spirit better than this one. It’s proof that food can be both delicious and delightful, familiar and creative.
Conclusion: A Treat That Brings Joy to All Ages
These Easter Cinnamon Rolls are far more than just breakfast—they’re an experience. They invite participation, spark joy, and deliver incredible flavor. From the pastel dough to the creamy frosting and playful toppings, every element is designed to delight. Whether you’re baking them for a crowd or as a sweet surprise for your family, they add a magical touch to any Easter celebration.
And long after the last roll has been eaten, the memories made—of laughter in the kitchen, little hands helping with decorations, and the warm smell of cinnamon wafting through the home—will linger far longer than the frosting on your fingers. This is a recipe worth keeping, repeating, and sharing.