Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls add a festive twist to the classic breakfast treat 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

• Funfetti 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. Step 1: Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and milk. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 5-7 minutes until it bubbles and activates.
2. Step 2: In a stand mixer bowl, 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 flour to the wet ingredients and mix with the dough hook on low speed. Add another 1 cup of flour and continue kneading, then add softened butter 1 tablespoon at a time.
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 until evenly distributed.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest at room temperature for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 20×14-inch rectangle and spread ⅓ cup softened butter evenly over the surface.
7. Step 7: In a bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar filling over the buttered dough and gently press 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 9×12-inch baking pan.
9. Step 9: Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let them rise for 30-45 minutes at room temperature until puffed.
10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap and bake the rolls for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 185°F. Let cool for 5 minutes.
11. Step 11: To make the frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sifted powdered sugar and salt, then beat until thick and creamy.
12. Step 12: Spread the frosting over warm cinnamon rolls and garnish with additional confetti sprinkles if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Choose quality sprinkles that can withstand baking to avoid color bleeding in the dough.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.
• Try adding chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips to the filling for extra texture.

Storage

Store unfrosted rolls at room temperature for up to 24 hours in an airtight container. Once frosted, keep at room temperature for 10-12 hours. To reheat, warm a roll in the microwave alongside a cup of water for 20-second intervals until soft, or heat in a toaster oven until warmed through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking. Alternatively, shaped rolls can be frozen and baked later—just thaw and allow to rise before baking.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

You can mix and knead the dough by hand using a large bowl and plenty of patience. Knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 69 reviews

Delight in these colorful and festive Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls, featuring a soft, buttery dough speckled with vibrant confetti sprinkles. Filled with a classic cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with a rich, creamy cream cheese frosting and extra sprinkles, they make a perfect treat for celebrations or any sweet craving.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Funfetti 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 yeast over the warm water and milk mixture. Add 1 tablespoon sugar and stir to combine. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until bubbly to activate the yeast.
2. Prepare Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the yeast mixture, remaining sugar, egg, and egg yolk. Whisk salt into the flour separately. Add 2 cups of flour to the mixing bowl and use the dough hook attachment to start mixing.
3. Knead Dough: Gradually add another 1 cup of flour while kneading on low speed. Add the softened butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Add the remaining flour and continue kneading until dough is smooth and cleans the sides of the bowl.
4. Add Sprinkles: Gently fold the confetti sprinkles into the dough until evenly distributed.
5. First Proof: 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 doubled in volume.
6. Roll Dough: Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 20 x 14-inch rectangle.
7. Spread Butter: Spread ⅓ cup softened butter evenly over the rolled dough.
8. Make Filling: In a bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt to make the cinnamon sugar filling.
9. Fill Dough: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough and gently press it in.
10. Shape Rolls: Roll the dough into a log starting from the longer side. Slice the log into 12 equal parts.
11. Second Proof: Place the slices into a greased 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30-45 minutes at room temperature to allow rolls to rise.
12. Preheat & Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap and bake rolls for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and an internal temperature of 185°F is reached. Let the rolls rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
13. Prepare Frosting: Beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sifted powdered sugar and pinch of salt; beat until thickened and smooth.
14. Frost & Garnish: Spread cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls and top with additional confetti sprinkles if desired.

Notes

• The type of sprinkles used affects the final texture; see blog details for best options.
• Freshly baked rolls can be left at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Once frosted, they should be consumed within 10-12 hours at room temperature.
• Make ahead and freezing instructions are available on the blog for convenience.
• To reheat, microwave with a cup of water in 20-second intervals to keep the roll moist or use a toaster oven until warm.

Keywords: funfetti cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, festive cinnamon rolls, funfetti dough, cream cheese frosting cinnamon rolls, easy cinnamon rolls, colorful cinnamon rolls