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Bunny-Shaped Cinnamon Buns Frosting

Category: Sweet and Savory Baked Goods to Share and Enjoy

Bake fluffy, cinnamon-swirled buns shaped with charming bunny ears for a festive touch. The dough is rolled with a sweet cinnamon-butter filling, sliced, and topped with carefully shaped ears before rising and baking to golden perfection. Once cooled, each bun is generously coated in smooth, creamy white frosting, enhanced with vanilla and a hint of tangy cream cheese. For added whimsy, finish with chocolate chip eyes or pink candy noses. These adorable buns are perfect for spring gatherings, brunches, or whenever you want a playful, sweet pastry centerpiece.

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Loura is a chef and she is standing in front of a table full of fruits and vegetables.
Updated on Sat, 31 May 2025 09:31:19 GMT
A plate of pastries with rabbit faces on them. Save
A plate of pastries with rabbit faces on them. | recipesfoodyummy.com

These bunny-shaped cinnamon buns bring extra cheer to your table with their soft fluffy dough swirled with warm cinnamon filling and a generous cloud of cream cheese frosting Their adorable bunny ears make them perfect for special breakfasts spring gatherings or just a sweet family treat

Making these with my kids quickly became an Easter tradition and even adults cannot resist smiling when they see these bunnies hop onto the brunch table

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: The backbone of tender buns choose unbleached for best texture
  • Instant yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly be sure it is within expiration for the fluffiest results
  • Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps activate the yeast check it is fresh and dry
  • Warm milk: Makes the buns soft use whole milk for richness or plant milk for a dairy free twist
  • Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and flavor to both dough and filling high quality butter will make a noticeable difference
  • Large egg: Binds and enriches the dough use a room temperature egg for best blending
  • Salt: Balances sweetness do not skip for full flavor in the dough
  • Brown sugar: In the filling for a caramel like richness light or dark works depending on your preference
  • Ground cinnamon: The soul of cinnamon buns pick fresh aromatic cinnamon for the biggest impact
  • Cream cheese: Thick creamy base for the frosting let it fully soften before mixing
  • Powdered sugar: Ensures a smooth frosting sift to avoid lumps
  • Vanilla extract: Adds warm depth choose pure vanilla for best flavor
  • Mini chocolate chips and pink candies: For decorating give the bunnies faces use any fun toppings you love

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the dough:
Mix flour sugar salt and yeast in a large bowl Stir in warm milk softened butter and egg Knead until smooth about ten minutes by hand or with a dough hook Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled about one hour
Roll and fill:
Roll out the risen dough into a rectangle about twelve by sixteen inches Spread softened butter evenly over the surface Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon mixture generously over the butter making sure to reach all corners
Shape into bunnies:
Roll up the dough tightly from the long side into a log Slice into twelve even pieces to form spirals Place each swirl cut side up on a lined baking sheet For each bunny pinch or twist small strips of leftover dough into two curved U shapes for ears Press gently into the tops of each roll
Final rise:
Loosely cover the shaped buns with a towel and let them sit in a warm place until puffy about thirty to forty five minutes This second rise is key for pillowy soft buns
Bake:
Preheat your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit Bake buns for eighteen to twenty minutes until golden and cooked through If the ears brown too quickly loosely tent with foil Part of the fun is seeing your bunnies come to life in the oven
Prepare the frosting:
Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth Add vanilla extract Mix in powdered sugar gradually drizzling in milk until the frosting is creamy and spreadable Taste adjust sweetness or thickness as desired
Decorate and serve:
Once buns are fully cooled generously spread or pipe frosting on top Pay extra attention to the bunny ears for ultimate cuteness If using chocolate chips or candies add faces For a fluffy effect sprinkle shredded coconut over the ears
A plate of pastries with rabbit ears. Save
A plate of pastries with rabbit ears. | recipesfoodyummy.com

The touch of cinnamon always reminds me of baking with my grandmother She would let us shape the ears and the frosting was the best part as we always ended up with sticky fingers and happy faces

Storage Tips

Store any leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days For longer freshness keep them in the fridge up to five days Gently rewarm in the microwave or a low oven to bring back that just baked softness Avoid adding icing before storing if possible and instead frost after reheating

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap plant based milk for whole milk and any neutral oil for some or all of the butter in the dough If making dairy free choose a vegan cream cheese and spread for the frosting For the cinnamon sugar filling maple sugar or coconut sugar work nicely as alternatives

Serving Suggestions

Serve these buns fresh for breakfast or brunch and watch everyone’s delight Pair with hot chocolate tea or a light fruit salad For extra flare set up a decorating station with candies coconut and sprinkles and let everyone make their own bunny faces

Fun History of Shaped Buns

Shaping bread into animals is a centuries old tradition across Europe and Asia Symbolic shapes like bunnies welcome spring and hope Children especially love these holiday breads making them a perfect centerpiece for family feasts

Recipe FAQs

→ How do you shape the bunny ears?

Use extra dough strips to form long “U” shapes or twist ropes, then press onto each roll after cutting.

→ Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough after the first rise and shape and bake it the next day.

→ What’s the best way to frost the buns?

Spread frosting over cooled buns, focusing more on the ears for extra decoration. Add coconut for fluff if desired.

→ Are there fun decoration options?

Try mini chocolate chips for eyes or a pink sprinkle or candy for a nose to enhance the bunny faces.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Bunny-Shaped Cinnamon Buns Frosting

Sweet, soft cinnamon buns shaped as bunnies, finished with creamy white frosting for a playful treat.

Prep Time
35 mins
Cooking Time
20 mins
Total Duration
55 mins
By: Loura

Recipe Type: Baking

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: European

Portions Yielded: 12 Serving Size (12 bunny-shaped buns)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

What You'll Need

→ Dough

01 440 g all-purpose flour
02 7 g instant yeast
03 50 g granulated sugar
04 240 ml warm milk (43°C)
05 56 g unsalted butter, softened
06 1 large egg
07 0.5 tsp salt

→ Filling

08 56 g unsalted butter, softened
09 100 g brown sugar
10 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

→ Frosting

11 115 g cream cheese, softened
12 28 g unsalted butter, softened
13 120 g powdered sugar
14 1 tsp vanilla extract
15 30–45 ml milk, as needed

→ Decoration (Optional)

16 Mini chocolate chips, for eyes
17 Pink candy or sprinkle, for nose
18 Desiccated coconut flakes, for ears

Steps To Follow

Step 01

Combine flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Mix in warm milk, softened butter, and egg until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 02

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 60–90 minutes.

Step 03

Roll out risen dough on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle approximately 30×40 cm.

Step 04

Spread softened butter over the dough. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered surface.

Step 05

Roll the dough tightly from the longer edge into a log. Cut into 12 even slices with a sharp knife.

Step 06

Use leftover dough to form thin strips. Shape these into two long 'U's or ropes for each roll, then pinch or twist onto the top of each to create ears.

Step 07

Arrange shaped rolls, cut side up, on a lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until noticeably puffy.

Step 08

Preheat the oven to 175°C. Bake buns for 18–20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack before decorating.

Step 09

In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix, adding milk gradually, until a spreadable icing forms.

Step 10

Generously frost cooled buns, accentuating the 'ears.' Optionally, add mini chocolate chips for eyes, a pink candy or sprinkle for nose, and coconut flakes for fluff.

Notes and Tips

  1. Ensure the dough rises in a warm, draft-free area for optimal texture.
  2. Let buns cool before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.

Required Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Stand mixer or hands for kneading
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Spatula

Allergy Info

Double-check every ingredient for possible allergens and consult a health professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains gluten, milk, and eggs

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for informational purposes only and shouldn't replace medical advice.
  • Caloric Content: 270
  • Fats: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Proteins: 5 g