Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

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Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Pink Roasted Beet Hummus

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect fusion of soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls and birthday cake. Slathered in homemade cream cheese frosting and loaded with colorful confetti sprinkles, these birthday cake cinnamon rolls are a fun twist on a classic cinnamon rolls recipe and an easy breakfast dessert.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls on a plate

FUNFETTI CINNAMON ROLLS

When it comes to the perfect breakfast, it is always going to be a plate of frosted cinnamon rolls and a steaming hot cup of coffee. These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are simply put, a dream come true!

By the way, looking for easy breakfast ideas? You’ve got to try my Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole, my Blueberry Lemon Bread and my Overnight Challah French Toast Casserole.

Cinnamon rolls are awesome but let’s be honest, homemade cinnamon buns with yeast can be a labor of love and not one that I am prepared to take on every weekend. 

But WHEN I DO, why not make those easy cinnamon rolls super special and make birthday cake Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls instead? … with ALLL the sprinkles? Heck yeah!!! 

WHAT ARE FUNFETTI CINNAMON ROLLS?

Simply put, Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are a fun take on the classic cinnamon rolls recipe by adding tons of rainbow confetti sprinkles.

They are the perfect fusion of your favorite cinnamon rolls and a homemade birthday cake with all the colorful sprinkles.

Basically, all of your hard work making homemade cinnamon rolls is double rewarded.

Now not only do you have tender flaky cinnamon rolls but you also have playful little dots of color running throughout them and what’s not to love about THAT?

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls made with rainbow sprinkles, slathered in homemade cream cheese frosting and topped with confetti sprinkles makes this classic cinnamon rolls recipe a fun and tasty treat. | A Wicked Whisk

WHY FUNFETTI CINNAMON ROLLS ARE THE BEST

  • Colorful – Bright, colorful homemade cinnamon rolls are fun and cheerful any day of the week
  • Classic – Tender, flaky cinnamon rolls are the answer to every problem in life.
  • Kid approved = Kids adore these Funfetti rolls because of the bright pops of color and the fun sprinkles.
  • Multi-tasker – The perfect breakfast dessert for birthday morning celebrations, lazy weekends and Easter gatherings.
  • Make ahead cinnamon rolls – Easy to make and also the perfect make ahead breakfast recipe.
  • Flavor – Classic cinnamon rolls with colorful sprinkles of happiness throughout.
  • Frosting – Slathered in the best homemade cream cheese frosting!

FUNFETTI ROLLS INGREDIENTS

  • Whole milk – The best for rich tasting cinnamon rolls.
  • Dry active yeast – To let your cinnamon rolls rise. Make sure your yeast is not expired and follow the directions on your packet for best results.
  • Sugar – Sweetness to the rolls but also necessary to activate the yeast.
  • Eggs – Richness 
  • All purpose flour – Foundation of your cinnamon rolls.
  • Butter – Fat and flavor
  • Brown sugar – Rich sweetness needed for the filling.
  • Cinnamon – Can’t have cinnamon rolls without the cinnamon, right?
  • Salt – Enhances flavors
  • Cream cheese – Tangy and creamy.. just be sure to let your cream cheese sit out a bit to soften before making your frosting.
  • Powdered sugar – Sweet and smooth structure for your frosting.
  • Confetti Sprinkles – YES!

HOW DO YOU MAKE CINNAMON ROLLS?

Easy! To make Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls, start with the cinnamon roll dough.

Warm the milk to lukewarm temperature (about 45 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave) and mix in the dry active yeast and sugar. 

Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for 5-10 minutes to give it time to activate.  When you remove the towel, your yeast mixture should be frothy.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls active yeast

MAKING THE DOUGH

In a large mixing bowl, add eggs, butter and salt and then mix in your yeast mixture and flour.

If you do not have a stand mixer (like me!), once your dough has started to come together, remove it to a lightly floured surface or a glass cutting board.

Knead your dough by hand for approximately five minutes, working the dough and then folding it over onto itself again and again. 

Form the dough into a ball and move the dough to a large bowl lightly sprayed with non-stick spray. Cover again with the kitchen towel and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls proofed dough

MAKING YOUR CINNAMON ROLLS

Once your dough has proofed, move it to a lightly floured work surface and knead in your sprinkles.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls dough with sprinkles

Once your sprinkles are combined, roll out your dough to approximately 20×14 rectangle. Using your hands, spread the softened butter over the entire rectatangle. 

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls buttered

Next, combine sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt in a medium sized bowl and sprinkle evenly over the buttered rectangle, gently pressing the mixture lightly into the dough.

Roll the dough tightly into an even log, starting with the long side. 

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls rolled into a log

Once rolled, trim the ends and then cut the log in half and then each half into six equal pieces so that you have 12 cinnamon rolls. 

Butter a 9 x 13 pan and place the Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls evenly spaced in your pan. Cover your pan with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour to allow your cinnamon rolls to proof again. 

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls unproofed cinnamon rolls

After the hour has passed, you should notice your cinnamon rolls have almost doubled in size. 

BAKING YOUR FUNFETTI CINNAMON ROLLS

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, remove the plastic wrap and bake your Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls in a pan

Remove from oven and allow your rolls to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting.

THE BEST CINNAMON ROLL FROSTING

Homemade cinnamon rolls just wouldn’t be complete without sweet, melting ooey-gooey frosting on top.

To make the cream cheese frosting, simply add the cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth. 

Add in sifted powdered sugar, softened butter and a pinch of salt and mix until light and fluffy. 

Spread over warm Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls and then top with more confetti sprinkles.  Serve immediately.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls frosted

DO SPRINKLES MATTER?

Yes, sprinkles matter. Browse through any baking aisle and you will find a multitude of different types of baking sprinkles. 

They are all important and they are all great but that doesn’t mean that all sprinkles should be used for all tasks.  

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls confetti sprinkles

NONPAREILS

Nonpareils are the tiny little round rainbow colored balls that we all know and love.

Perfect to sprinkle on cupcakes and even on these Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls when they are frosted, nonpareils are not a great choice for mixing in your batter.

Nonpareils are really tiny while balls coated in color and those bright colors will rub off and leave you sad and disappointed.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls nonpareil sprinkles

LONG RAINBOW JIMMIES

Jimmies are the long cylinder shaped sprinkles that also come in various colors and rainbow sprinkles.

These are also great for decorating cakes and cookies after they have cooked but like the nonpareils, they are white shapes in coated colors.  

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls jimmie sprinkles

CONFETTI SPRINKLES

Confetti sprinkles are amazing because their colors hold true and you can find them in a variety of colors and even shapes.

I usually find mine at Home Goods and they bake very nicely therefore your Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls will have fun pops of color with every single bite!

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls rainbow confetti sprinkles

MODIFICATIONS, IF YOU PLEASE

  • While I do not know why anyone would not want copious amounts of sprinkles and fun with their cinnamon rolls (not judging!), you certainly can leave out the sprinkles and you will be rewarded with a tasty pan of classic cinnamon rolls. 
  • If you want to, feel free to add a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling to give these cinnamon rolls and extra punch of crunch and flavor. You can also check out my Pecan Roll recipe HERE.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

CAN FUNFETTI ROLLS BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?

Absolutely! To make these Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls ahead of time, simply follow the recipe up to the point where you bake the cinnamon rolls. 

Instead, simply cover your pan of unbaked cinnamon rolls with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature overnight.  The next day, bake as directed.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese frosting

CAN CINNAMON ROLLS BE FROZEN?

Yes, you can freeze your Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls.  Simply make as instructed but do not frost them. 

Let your Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls cool completely and then store them in the freezer in a large zip top bag or a freezer safe container. 

They can remain frozen for up to two months and to enjoy, simply remove from the freezer and let thaw to room temperature or microwave for 30 seconds to warm through.  Frost before serving.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls with color throughout

PRO TIPS FOR MAKING FUNFETTI CINNAMON ROLLS

  • Yeast needs to be activated for your cinnamon rolls to rise up and double in size.  If you pull the towel back on your yeast mixture and it is not frothy, the yeast may be past it’s prime.  This isn’t a step you can fake so if your yeast is old, start again with another batch (I usually buy more than one packet of yeast for this reason).
  • Dough is not always easy to play with.  I find using a glass cutting board is my best surface to use when working with dough as the dough has a harder time sticking to it than it does my floured counter top.  
  • Be sure to roll your cinnamon roll log tight as you can.. you don’t want your rolls to fall apart.
  • When you place your cinnamon rolls in your buttered pan and you are like … what the heck Heather??? The rolls aren’t touching, they are all small and sad looking… uggggg!!!  Grab another cup of coffee, my friend … it’s all good. The dough needs time to relax again which is why that pan of yumminess needs to be covered and sit for another hour.  Give them time and they will poof up for you again.
  • Sift that powdered sugar, folks! If you have followed any of my recipes involving frosting of any kind, you hear me say (write?) all the time so sift that powdered sugar before adding it to your frosting ingredients.  No one likes lumpy frosting.  No one!

Enjoy ♥ Heather

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls on a plate

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls made with rainbow sprinkles, slathered in homemade cream cheese frosting and topped with confetti sprinkles makes this classic cinnamon rolls recipe a fun and tasty treat. | A Wicked Whisk
Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect fusion of soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls and birthday cake. Slathered in homemade cream cheese frosting and loaded with colorful confetti sprinkles, these birthday cake cinnamon rolls are a fun twist on a classic cinnamon rolls recipe and an easy breakfast dessert.
Heather - A Wicked Whisk
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Serving Size 12

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2-1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 4-1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup confetti sprinkles

Filling

  • 2/3 cup softened butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1-1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
  • dash of salt
  • confetti sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

  • To make Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls, start with the cinnamon roll dough. Warm the milk to lukewarm temperature (about 45 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave) and mix in the dry active yeast and sugar.  Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for 5-10 minutes to give it time to activate.  When you remove the towel, your yeast mixture should be frothy. 
  • In a large mixing bowl, add eggs, butter and salt and then mix in your yeast mixture and flour. If you do not have a stand mixer (like me!), once your dough has started to come together, remove it to a lightly floured surface or a glass cutting board and knead your dough by hand for approximately five minutes, working the dough and then folding it over onto itself again and again. Form the dough into a ball and move the dough to a large bowl lightly sprayed with non-stick spray, cover again with the kitchen towel and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size. 
  • Once your dough has proofed, move it to a lightly floured work surface and knead in your sprinles. Once your sprinkles are combined, roll out your dough to approximately 20x14 rectangle. Using your hands, spread the softened butter over the entire rectatangle. Next, combine sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt in a medium sized bowl and sprinkle evently over the buttered rectangle, gently pressing the mixture lightly into the dough. Roll the dough tightly into an even log, starting with the long side. Once rolled, trim the ends and then cut the log in half and then each half into six equal pieces so that you have 12 cinnamon rolls. Butter a 9x13 pan and place the Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls evenly spaced in your pan. Cover your pan with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour to allow your cinnamon rolls to proof again. 
  • After the hour has passed, you should notice your cinnamon rolls have almost doubled in size. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, remove the plastic wrap and bake your Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden. Remove from oven and allow your rolls to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting. 
  • To make the cream cheese frosting, simply add the cream cheese to a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Add in sifted powdered sugar, softened butter and a pinch of salt and mix until light and fluffy. Spread over warm Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls and then top with more confetti sprinkles. Serve immediately.

Notes

PRO TIPS FOR MAKING FUNFETTI CINNAMON ROLLS

  • Yeast needs to be activated for your cinnamon rolls to rise up and double in size.  If you pull the towel back on your yeast mixture and it is not frothy, the yeast may be past it's prime.  This isn't a step you can fake so if your yeast is old, start again with another batch (I usually buy more than one packet of yeast for this reason).
  • Dough is not always easy to play with.  I find using a glass cutting board is my best surface to use when working with dough as the dough has a harder time sticking to it than it does my floured counter top.  
  • Be sure to roll your cinnamon roll log tight as you can.. you don't want your rolls to fall apart.
  • When you place your cinnamon rolls in your buttered pan and you are like ... what the heck Heather??? The rolls aren't touching, they are all small and sad looking... uggggg!!!  Grab another cup of coffee, my friend ... it's all good. The dough needs time to relax again which is why that pan of yumminess needs to be covered and sit for another hour.  Give them time and they will poof up for you again.
  • Sift that powdered sugar, folks! If you have followed any of my recipes involving frosting of any kind, you hear me say (write?) all the time so sift that powdered sugar before adding it to your frosting ingredients.  No one likes lumpy frosting.  No one!

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 509.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 82.7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19.7g | Saturated Fat: 11.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.4g | Cholesterol: 81.5mg | Sodium: 310.9mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 2.1g | Sugar: 45.2g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2.5mg

Update Notes: This post was originally published in April of 2019 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in January of 2024.

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3 Comments

  1. Hi Heather, I’m not seeing how much butter should go into the dough. You mention adding it but no amount, only the amount for the filling and frosting.

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