Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls bring a joyful 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 simply brightening up your morning.

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)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch kosher salt
• 4 oz cream cheese
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• Pinch kosher salt
• Additional confetti sprinkles, to garnish

Instructions

1. 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 it becomes bubbly and active.
2. 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.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups of the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and use the dough hook attachment to combine. Gradually add another cup of flour while kneading on low speed. Add softened butter one tablespoon at a time as you continue kneading.
4. Step 4: Add the remaining cup of flour and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Fold in the confetti sprinkles evenly throughout the dough.
5. Step 5: 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.
6. Step 6: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 20 x 14-inch rectangle, then spread ⅓ cup of softened butter over the surface.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, mix together granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to make the cinnamon sugar filling. Sprinkle this evenly over the buttered dough, gently pressing it in.
8. Step 8: Roll the dough tightly into a log starting from the longer side. Slice the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let the rolls rest for 30–45 minutes to rise.
9. Step 9: Preheat the 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 the rolls cool for 5 minutes.
10. Step 10: For the cream cheese frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, beating until thick and creamy. Spread frosting over the warm rolls and garnish with extra confetti sprinkles if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature ingredients for the best dough texture and yeast activation.
• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough or frosting.
• Substitute confetti sprinkles with mini chocolate chips for a different twist.
• If you prefer, the rolls can be shaped smaller for bite-sized treats, adjusting baking time accordingly.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes until warmed through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before rolling and filling.

What type of sprinkles work best in these rolls?

Use heat-stable confetti sprinkles designed for baking to prevent colors from bleeding into the dough.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 106 reviews

These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on a classic treat, featuring colorful confetti sprinkles mixed into the soft, fluffy dough and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or a festive breakfast, these rolls combine the warmth of cinnamon sugar with a fun pop of color, baked to golden perfection and finished with a sweet, smooth icing.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
• Category: Dessert, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1. Activate Yeast: Sprinkle the dry active yeast over the warm water and milk mixture, add 1 tablespoon of sugar, and stir. Let this sit for 5-7 minutes until the yeast mixture becomes bubbly and active.
2. Mix Dough Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together the activated yeast mixture, remaining sugar, egg, and egg yolk. In a separate bowl, whisk salt into the flour. Add 2 cups of flour to the mixer bowl and use the dough hook attachment to combine. Gradually add another cup of flour while kneading on low speed, then add the softened butter one tablespoon at a time. Finally, add the last cup of flour and knead until the dough is smooth and cleans the sides of the bowl. Mix in the confetti sprinkles evenly into the dough.
3. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rest at room temperature for about one hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
4. Prepare the Dough for Filling: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a 20 x 14-inch rectangle. Spread ⅓ cup of the softened butter evenly over the surface of the rolled dough.
5. Make and Add Filling: In a bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Evenly distribute this cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough and gently press it in to adhere.
6. Shape Rolls: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough into a log shape. Slice this log into 12 equal pieces. Place the rolls into a greased 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
7. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the rolls and bake for 30-35 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C). Allow the rolls to rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
8. Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and continue beating until thick and smooth. Spread this frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls and garnish with additional confetti sprinkles if desired.

Notes

• Ensure the water is warm but not hot to properly activate yeast, ideally around 110°F.
• You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for easier kneading or knead by hand for about 10 minutes until dough is smooth.
• Allow the dough enough time to rise; this improves texture and flavor.
• For extra color fun, use sprinkles that are safe for baking and won’t bleed colors.
• Check rolls starting at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking; they should be golden and cooked through.
• The cream cheese frosting is best spread while rolls are warm so it melts slightly, enhancing flavor.

Keywords: Funfetti cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, colorful cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting, festive breakfast, sweet rolls, cinnamon sugar rolls