Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate any special occasion with these colorful Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls. Soft, fluffy rolls filled with a sweet buttery filling and topped with a light cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles make a festive treat everyone will love.

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup (163 g) whole milk, warmed
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 envelope (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (127 g) bread flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
• ⅔ cup (130 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for filling)
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (for filling)
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (for filling)
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (for filling)
• ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 1 ½ cups (188 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 1 pinch kosher salt (for frosting)
• Rainbow sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the warmed milk, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Mix briefly and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add the beaten eggs, ½ cup softened butter, the remaining 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, bread flour, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Switch to the dough hook attachment and mix on low speed just to combine.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on medium speed until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Spray a medium bowl with nonstick cooking spray, place the dough inside, and turn to coat all sides. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours.
5. Step 5: Once risen, turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll it into a 10×15-inch rectangle about ¼-inch thick.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Spread this filling evenly over the dough.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles evenly over the filling.
8. Step 8: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 9 equal rolls.
9. Step 9: Spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and place the rolls inside, cut side up. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the rolls for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly golden on the edges and cooked through.
11. Step 11: While the rolls bake, prepare the frosting by combining the softened cream cheese, softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in the stand mixer bowl. Mix on low just to combine, then switch to the whisk attachment and beat on high for 4 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
12. Step 12: Once the rolls are out of the oven and still warm, spread the cream cheese frosting over them. Garnish with additional rainbow sprinkles for a festive touch.

Tips & Variations

• For extra richness, use bread flour for a chewier texture and all-purpose flour for softness.
• Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the frosting for a unique flavor twist.
• Use gluten-free flour blends if you need a gluten-free option, but expect a slight texture difference.
• Rainbow sprinkles add fun color and crunch, but you can substitute with chopped nuts or chocolate chips.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them wrapped tightly for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving and add a little more frosting if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Yes, after kneading, you can refrigerate the dough overnight in a covered bowl. Allow it to come to room temperature and finish the rising before rolling and assembling the rolls.

What if I don’t have bread flour?

You can use all-purpose flour for both flours in the recipe, though the texture might be slightly less chewy. Bread flour provides more gluten, which helps the rolls rise better and gives a chewier bite.

Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 150 reviews

Delight in these soft, fluffy Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls bursting with colorful sprinkles and topped with a light, creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or a festive breakfast treat, these cinnamon rolls combine tender yeast dough with a sweet butter-sugar filling and a fun sprinkle surprise.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 9 cinnamon rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• ⅔ cup (163 g) whole milk, warmed
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1 envelope (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (127 g) bread flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Filling

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup (130 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles

Frosting

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (188 g) confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• Rainbow sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions

1. Activate yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the warm milk, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Mix briefly and let rest for about 5 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
2. Mix dough ingredients: Add the beaten eggs, softened butter, remaining 4 tablespoons sugar, all-purpose flour, bread flour, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Switch to the dough hook attachment and mix on low speed until ingredients begin to combine.
3. Knead dough: Continue kneading on medium speed with the dough hook until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
4. First rise: Lightly grease a medium bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it so all sides are coated. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
5. Roll out dough: Once doubled, place the dough on a floured surface. Roll into a 10×15-inch rectangle about ¼-inch thick.
6. Prepare filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
7. Spread filling: Evenly spread the butter-sugar mixture over the rolled-out dough. Sprinkle the entire surface with rainbow sprinkles for a festive touch.
8. Form rolls: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log evenly into 9 rolls.
9. Second rise: Spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and arrange the cinnamon rolls inside, cut side up. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
10. Bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the rolls for 35 to 40 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
11. Prepare frosting: While the rolls bake, place cream cheese, softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt in the mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until combined, then switch to the whisk attachment and whip on high for 4 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
12. Frost rolls: Once the rolls are warm out of the oven, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over them. Garnish with additional rainbow sprinkles for a birthday celebration effect.

Notes

• Milk should be warm but not hot to ensure proper yeast activation.
• Dough rising times may vary depending on room temperature.
• Use a sharp serrated knife for cleaner roll cuts.
• For softer rolls, cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking if edges brown too quickly.
• Sliced rolls can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: birthday cake cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, funfetti cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting, festive breakfast