These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are pure joy in pastry form—soft, fluffy rolls swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and topped with a colorful, confetti-style glaze that’s impossible to resist. They come together surprisingly quickly for a yeasted dough, making them perfect for brightening up busy mornings or adding a festive twist to brunch. Whether you’re baking for a birthday breakfast, weekend treat, or just because life calls for sprinkles, these rolls deliver big flavor and even bigger smiles.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: The rainbow sprinkles turn classic cinnamon rolls into something extra special—kids and adults alike will fall in love.
Quick Dough: No overnight proofing here. This dough rises beautifully in a short time, which means fresh cinnamon rolls on your table fast.
Perfect Texture: Soft, pillowy centers with golden edges and that gooey swirl of cinnamon sugar goodness in every bite.
Customizable: You can change up the sprinkles, the frosting, even the filling—this recipe is easy to make your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to bring these colorful treats to life:

All-purpose flour: Gives the dough structure and chew while staying soft and tender.
Instant yeast: Speeds up the rise so you don’t need hours of proofing.
Warm milk: Activates the yeast and adds richness to the dough.
Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the cinnamon filling.
Butter: Softened for the dough, melted for the filling, and used again in the glaze—it’s the flavor backbone of the rolls.
Egg: Helps create that soft, rich dough texture.
Cinnamon: The star of the filling, adding warmth and classic roll flavor.
Brown sugar: For the perfect sticky-sweet filling that caramelizes as the rolls bake.
Rainbow sprinkles: Stirred into the dough and sprinkled on top—they add a pop of color and fun to every bite.
Powdered sugar: Used to make the glaze drizzle that finishes everything off with a sweet touch.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and flavor to both the dough and the glaze.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors.

Variations

Want to switch it up? Here are a few fun ideas:

Chocolate Twist: Add mini chocolate chips along with the cinnamon sugar for a double-sweet treat.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the vanilla glaze for a rich cream cheese topping for a bakery-style finish.
Lemon Glaze: Use lemon juice in the glaze instead of milk for a zesty contrast to the sweet rolls.
Holiday Colors: Use themed sprinkles to match the season—red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or spooky orange and black for Halloween!

How to Make Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy. Add softened butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead it by hand or in a mixer for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. Fold in the sprinkles gently. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

While the dough is rising, mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt the butter separately.

Step 3: Roll and Fill

Once the dough has doubled, roll it out into a rectangle on a floured surface. Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top.

Step 4: Roll and Slice

Tightly roll the dough from the long side into a log. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice it into even rolls. Place them in a greased baking dish.

Step 5: Second Rise

Cover the pan with a clean towel and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy.

Step 6: Bake

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden on top and cooked through.

Step 7: Glaze and Sprinkle

While the rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk to make the glaze. Once the rolls come out of the oven, drizzle them generously with glaze and top with extra sprinkles.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overheat the Milk: Make sure your milk is warm, not hot. If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast.
Soft Butter Is Key: Softened (not melted) butter helps keep the dough tender. For the filling, use melted butter to make spreading easy.
Use Dental Floss to Cut Rolls: It gives clean cuts without squishing your dough.
Let the Rolls Cool Slightly Before Glazing: This keeps the glaze from completely melting off while still being gooey enough to soak in.

How to Serve

These rolls are perfect warm and fresh from the oven, with the glaze just set and the inside still soft and gooey. They’re a showstopper for birthday breakfasts, holiday mornings, brunch with friends, or just when you want something fun and indulgent.

Pair with:

Hot coffee or tea: The sweetness of the rolls balances beautifully with a warm drink.
Fresh fruit: A small bowl of berries or melon makes a nice light contrast.
Vanilla ice cream: If you’re going full dessert mode, this combo is outrageous.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze unglazed baked rolls. Once cooled, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm before glazing.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a roll in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. If they’re a little dry, a drizzle of extra glaze or a pat of butter brings them right back to life.

FAQs

Can I make these the night before and bake in the morning?
Yes! Assemble the rolls and place them in the baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes in the morning before baking.

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant?
Absolutely. Just proof it in the warm milk and sugar for about 10 minutes until bubbly before continuing with the recipe.

Why did my sprinkles melt in the dough?
That can happen with certain sprinkle brands. Use jimmies (the longer, softer kind) and fold them in at the very end to minimize bleeding.

Can I make these rolls without a stand mixer?
Yes! The dough is soft and very manageable by hand. Just knead it on a floured surface until smooth—it’s worth the effort.

Final Thoughts

These Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate treat when you want something playful, delicious, and easy to whip up. They’re a total mood-lifter and an instant favorite with everyone who tries them. Whether it’s a celebration or just an ordinary morning that needs a sprinkle of joy, give these a try—you’ll be hooked after the first bite!

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe