Fluffy Bunny Shaped Dinner Rolls – Easy Homemade Easter Bread Recipe
These adorable, fluffy bunny shaped dinner rolls are soft, pillowy, and just sweet enough to brighten any springtime celebration. Perfect for Easter brunch or family gatherings, they’re easy to make and guaranteed to bring smiles to your table.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole milk, warm (2% or whole recommended; dairy-free milk works as a substitute)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Additional flour, as needed for dusting and shaping
- Raisins, mini chocolate chips, or currants (for bunny eyes, optional)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing after baking)
Instructions
- Gently warm the milk until just lukewarm (about 100°F). Pour into a mixing bowl, sprinkle yeast and sugar over, stir, and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add softened butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Add flour one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough will be sticky but should pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 45 minutes, until doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough. Divide into 12 equal pieces. For each bunny, pinch off a walnut-sized ball for the tail and a smaller piece for the ears. Roll the main piece into a ball for the body, shape the ears, and attach to the body. Add a tiny ball for the tail and press in raisins or chocolate chips for eyes if desired.
- Place shaped bunnies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 20-30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Brush with melted butter immediately after baking for shine and softness. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for best results. For dairy-free or egg-free adaptations, substitute plant-based milk and butter, and use yogurt or applesauce instead of egg. Don’t over-flour the dough; a slightly tacky texture yields the fluffiest rolls. Get creative with bunny shapes and toppings—kids love helping with the shaping!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Easter bread, bunny rolls, dinner rolls, homemade bread, spring recipes, kid-friendly, holiday baking, fluffy rolls, yeast bread, party food