Introduction

These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls bring a playful twist to a classic favorite with colorful sprinkles baked right into the dough. Soft, fluffy, and topped with creamy frosting, they’re perfect for celebrations or anytime you want a cheerful treat.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

½ cup warm water (about 110°F)
½ cup whole milk (room temperature)
2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup confetti sprinkles
⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened), for filling
⅓ cup granulated sugar, for filling
⅓ cup dark brown sugar (packed), for filling
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt, for filling
4 oz cream cheese
¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature), for frosting
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Pinch of kosher salt, for frosting
Additional confetti sprinkles, to garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and milk in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 5-7 minutes until bubbly and active.
Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the yeast mixture, remaining sugar, egg, and egg yolk. In a separate bowl, whisk the salt into the flour. Add 2 cups of flour to the mixing bowl and use the dough hook to combine.
Step 3: Gradually add another 1 cup of flour while kneading on low speed. Add softened butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Finally, add the remaining cup of flour and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Step 4: Fold in the confetti sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 5: Punch down the risen dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 20 by 14-inch rectangle. Spread ⅓ cup softened butter evenly over the dough.
Step 6: In a bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough and gently press it in.
Step 7: Starting with the longer edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal slices and place them in a greased 9×12-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let the rolls rest for 30-45 minutes until they rise.
Step 8: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap and bake the rolls for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and an internal temperature of 185°F is reached. Let them cool for 5 minutes.
Step 9: For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, beating until thick and creamy. Spread the frosting on warm rolls and garnish with additional confetti sprinkles if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use rainbow or pastel sprinkles for different festive looks.
Room temperature ingredients help the dough rise better and mix evenly.
For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough or frosting.
You can freeze the sliced rolls before the second rise; thaw and let rise before baking.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to restore softness before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

This recipe calls for dry active yeast, which is traditional active dry yeast. Be sure to proof it in warm water and milk before using to activate it properly.

How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding?

Use high-quality confetti sprinkles, and mix them into the dough at the end of kneading to reduce bleeding. Baking at the correct temperature also helps prevent colors from running.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.9 from 115 reviews

These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls bring a colorful twist to the classic cinnamon roll recipe. Soft, fluffy dough loaded with rainbow sprinkles, layered with a sweet cinnamon sugar filling, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and extra sprinkles for a festive finish. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a celebratory treat.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

½ cup warm water (about 110°F)
½ cup whole milk (room temperature)
2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
½ cup confetti sprinkles

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz cream cheese
¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Pinch kosher salt
Additional confetti sprinkles, to garnish

Instructions

Activate Yeast: Sprinkle the dry active yeast over the warm water and milk mixture. Add 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and stir gently. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until bubbles form and the yeast becomes active.
Mix Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast mixture with the remaining ¼ cup sugar, whole egg, and egg yolk. Whisk salt into the flour separately. Gradually add 2 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture and mix with the dough hook on low speed. Add another 1 cup of flour while continuing to knead. Incorporate the softened butter, adding 1 tablespoon at a time. Finally, add the remaining 1 cup of flour and knead until the dough is smooth and cleans the bowl sides.
Add Sprinkles: Mix in ½ cup confetti sprinkles evenly throughout the dough using the dough hook attachment.
First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a 20 x 14-inch rectangle. Spread the ⅓ cup of softened butter evenly over the surface.
Make Filling: In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mix evenly over the buttered dough, pressing it lightly to adhere.
Roll and Slice: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal-sized rolls. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9 x 12-inch baking pan.
Second Rise: Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let them rest at room temperature for 30-45 minutes until they rise and puff up.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake the rolls for 30-35 minutes until the tops are golden brown and an internal temperature of 185°F is reached. Let the rolls rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
Prepare Frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and ¼ cup unsalted butter until smooth. Add the sifted powdered sugar and pinch of kosher salt, and beat until the frosting is thick and creamy.
Frost and Garnish: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls and garnish with additional confetti sprinkles for a festive appearance.

Notes

Ensure water is warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly.
Use room temperature ingredients for easier mixing and better dough texture.
Do not overbake to keep rolls soft and tender.
Allow rolls to cool slightly before frosting to prevent melting.
Confetti sprinkles add color but may bleed slightly during baking; choose high-quality non-bleeding sprinkles if possible.

Keywords: funfetti cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, sprinkles cinnamon rolls, breakfast rolls, festive cinnamon rolls