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Delightful Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

Featured in Let's Bake Something Wonderful.

Whip up a tender dough, pack in sparkly rainbow sprinkles, fill with sugary cinnamon, bake until golden brown, then slather with velvety vanilla almond frosting for a fun breakfast treat.
Hannah Author
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:56:22 GMT
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Transform classic cinnamon rolls into a celebration with these vibrant funfetti-style breakfast treats. Perfect for special occasions or brightening any morning, these rolls feature colorful sprinkles swirled throughout soft, pillowy dough and topped with rich vanilla frosting. The festive touch of rainbow jimmies creates an irresistible combination of familiar comfort and playful charm.

What began as a birthday breakfast creation has become a cherished family tradition. The combination of warm spices, soft dough, and cheerful sprinkles creates an irresistible appeal that brings out everyone's inner child. Even skeptics can't resist reaching for seconds when these rolls hit the table.

Essential Components

  • Jimmie sprinkles: Choose longer sprinkles over nonpareils for better color retention during baking
  • Dark brown sugar: Provides deep molasses notes and creates a gooey, caramelized filling
  • Quick-rise yeast: Reduces proofing time compared to traditional active dry yeast
  • Pure almond extract: A small amount adds subtle complexity to the frosting
  • Cornstarch: Helps stabilize the filling during baking when added
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Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Homemade | recipesbyhannah.com

Technique Tips

Dough texture:
Aim for slightly tacky but not sticky dough that springs back when pressed. Add flour gradually to achieve the ideal consistency.
Sprinkle distribution:
Layer sprinkles in stages during rolling and topping for even color distribution without crushing. Letter-fold technique creates beautiful rainbow layers.
Rolling method:
Roll firmly enough to maintain shape without forcing filling out. Leave a clean edge for proper sealing.
Clean cuts:
Use unflavored dental floss to slice rolls without compressing. Slide under dough, cross over top, and pull for perfect portions.
Optimal rising:
Create ideal proofing environment in a slightly warmed, turned-off oven. Remove before preheating.
Frosting timing:
Cool rolls 10-20 minutes before frosting to achieve the perfect melt-to-set ratio.

Through careful testing and refinement, these celebratory cinnamon rolls achieve the perfect balance of sprinkles, spice, and everything nice. Each batch fills the kitchen with an enticing aroma of warm cinnamon and fresh-baked goodness, creating an atmosphere of joy before the first bite.

Presentation

Present warm rolls with fresh fruit and coffee for an elegant brunch. Display on a cake stand and garnish with extra sprinkles just before serving. For birthday celebrations, place a candle in the center roll as a festive finishing touch.

Variations

Experiment with chocolate sprinkles for a cocoa variation, or add orange zest to the filling for bright citrus notes. Customize colors for holidays using red and green jimmies for Christmas or black and orange for Halloween celebrations.

Storage Guide

Store fresh rolls in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days. Warm individual portions 15-20 seconds in the microwave. For extended storage, freeze unfrosted rolls up to one month and reheat at 300°F, then top with fresh frosting.

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Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe | recipesbyhannah.com

These rainbow-speckled cinnamon rolls consistently delight breakfast guests of all ages. The simple addition of colorful sprinkles transforms a classic recipe into something magical, creating treasured memories around the breakfast table. The extra effort yields a breakfast treat that's as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast?
Sure! Just dissolve it in warm water with a little sugar to wake it up, then expect a longer rise since it activates slower.
→ What sprinkles should I use?
Stick to rainbow jimmies (those skinny sprinkles). They don’t bleed color into the dough like finer ones do.
→ Can I prep these rolls a day in advance?
Definitely! Stop at the slicing step, wrap them tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let them rest at room temp for 1-2 hours before you bake.
→ What does adding cornstarch to the filling do?
It keeps the filling from oozing out as it bakes. It’s not necessary, but it does make for tidier rolls.
→ Can these rolls be frozen?
Yup! You can freeze them before they bake (right after cutting) or once they’re fully baked but unfrosted. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before continuing.

Rainbow Sprinkle Rolls

Fluffy cinnamon rolls sprinkled with colorful rainbow sprinkles, filled with sweet cinnamon sugar, and finished off with a heavenly vanilla almond glaze. A joyful way to start the day!

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
56 Minutes
Total Time
71 Minutes

Category: Sweet Kitchen

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 9 Servings (9 cinnamon rolls)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Cinnamon Roll Filling

01 1/2 cup (100g) of brown sugar, packed tightly
02 1 tablespoon (6g) of ground cinnamon
03 1 teaspoon (3g) of cornstarch—only if you want a firmer filling
04 1/4 cup (56g) of softened unsalted butter for spreading over the dough

→ Funfetti Dough

05 3 1/2 cups (438g) of plain all-purpose flour, plus up to another 1/2 cup if needed
06 1 cup (240g) of whole milk
07 1/4 cup (56g) of softened butter
08 2 1/4 teaspoons (7g, 1/4 oz) or one packet of instant dry yeast
09 1 teaspoon (6g) of salt
10 1/2 cup (100g) of regular white sugar
11 1 large egg (56g), beaten and at room temperature
12 1 cup (175g) of colorful rainbow sprinkles, split into two portions

→ Vanilla Icing

13 1/4 cup (56g) or half a stick of unsalted butter, softened
14 1 teaspoon (4g) of vanilla flavoring
15 1 teaspoon (4g) of almond flavoring
16 1/4 teaspoon (1g) of regular salt
17 1 cup (125g) of fine powdered sugar
18 1 tablespoon (15g) of whole milk

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 200°F (95°C). You’ll switch it off later for letting the dough rise.

Step 02

In a big mixing bowl (or the one for your stand mixer), mix together the flour, yeast, and salt.

Step 03

In a separate heat-safe bowl, stir together the milk, butter, and sugar. Warm it in the microwave for 1–1.5 minutes until it’s warm but not too hot. Ensure the butter melts as you stir.

Step 04

Gradually pour the warmed milk mixture into the dry ingredients while mixing at medium speed with a dough hook. Then, pour in the beaten egg and keep mixing until you get a dough that's slightly sticky. Continue mixing for 2–3 more minutes on low to make it smoother.

Step 05

Sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough starts pulling away from the bowl’s edges. It should be tacky but not sticky—poke it, and your finger should come off clean.

Step 06

Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let the dough sit for around 10 minutes. This gives the gluten time to relax.

Step 07

While the dough is resting, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch together in a medium bowl. Set it aside until needed.

Step 08

Dust your work area with flour. Roll the dough into a rectangle, stopping halfway to scatter half of the sprinkles over it. Press the sprinkles in gently, then fold the dough into thirds like a letter. Roll it out again until it's about 12x18 inches and a little less than 1/4 inch thick.

Step 09

Take the remaining sprinkles and spread them across the rolled dough. Press them lightly so they stick.

Step 10

Soften the 1/4 cup of butter slightly, then spread it all over the dough except for a 1/2-inch strip along one long side. Cover the buttered sections evenly with the cinnamon sugar mix.

Step 11

Roll the dough up tightly towards the bare edge. Cut the log into 9 evenly sized rolls using unflavored dental floss for a clean cut. Place the rolls in a greased 8x8-inch square pan.

Step 12

Turn off the oven and cover the pan loosely with foil. Put the pan inside and let the rolls rise for 30 minutes until puffed up.

Step 13

Take the pan out of the oven and remove the foil. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 26–32 minutes until they're golden.

Step 14

While the rolls bake, mix the butter, vanilla, almond flavoring, and salt in a bowl. Add the powdered sugar and milk, whisking it all until it’s creamy.

Step 15

Let the cinnamon rolls cool for 10–20 minutes. Then, smear the icing over them and serve while warm.

Notes

  1. You can prep these rolls the night before. Refrigerate after rolling and cutting, then bring to room temp for 1–2 hours before baking.
  2. Using dental floss instead of a knife will make cutting the cinnamon roll log much easier and cleaner.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer (or a large bowl with a hand mixer and dough hook)
  • A rolling pin
  • An 8×8-inch square baking dish
  • Unflavored dental floss (for slicing the dough log)
  • Foil for covering the pan

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy products like butter and milk
  • Contains eggs
  • Has gluten since it uses flour
  • Sprinkles might have soy or artificial coloring—check the label