Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls: A Fun and Festive Twist on a Classic Treat
Looking for a special treat that combines the best of two beloved desserts? These Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect hybrid of soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls and celebratory birthday cake flavors. With rainbow sprinkles in the dough, a cinnamon-sugar filling, and a cream cheese frosting that ties it all together, these rolls are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just when you need a little extra color and sweetness in your day!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls are not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes. The dough is made using cake mix, which adds a funfetti vibe with rainbow sprinkles scattered throughout. The cinnamon-sugar filling provides that warm, comforting flavor we all love, while the whipped cream cheese frosting and extra sprinkles make these rolls perfect for celebrating. And the best part? They’re easier to make than you might think and are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) regular active dry yeast
- 1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ rainbow bit cake mix
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rainbow candy sprinkles
For the Frosting:
- 1 container Betty Crocker™ Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
- Additional candy sprinkles for garnish
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by greasing a 13×9-inch pan or two 9-inch round cake pans with shortening or cooking spray. This will prevent the rolls from sticking to the pan.
In a small bowl, mix the warm water and active dry yeast. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly and frothy, indicating that the yeast has activated.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rainbow bit cake mix and 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough begins to come together. Gradually add more flour, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring after each addition until the dough forms a ball. You may not need all of the flour. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Brush the rolled-out dough with melted butter, ensuring that the entire surface is coated. Sprinkle the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and rainbow sprinkles evenly over the dough.
Step 3: Shape the Rolls
Starting at the long end of the rectangle, tightly roll the dough into a log, just like you would with traditional cinnamon rolls. Once rolled, use a sharp knife to slice the log into 12 even rolls.
Place the rolls in the prepared pan(s), spacing them slightly apart. Cover the pan(s) with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 4: Bake the Cinnamon Rolls
Once the rolls have risen, bake them for 20-22 minutes in a 13×9-inch pan or 12-15 minutes in the 9-inch round pans. The rolls should be golden brown on top and cooked through.
Remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes.
Step 5: Frost and Decorate
After the rolls have cooled slightly, spread the whipped cream cheese frosting generously over the top of each roll. While the frosting is still soft, garnish the rolls with extra rainbow candy sprinkles for that signature birthday cake look.
Serving Suggestions
These Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls are best enjoyed warm, fresh out of the oven. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a fun dessert, especially for birthdays and other celebrations. Serve them alongside coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for a delightful treat that everyone will love.
Recipe Notes
- Make-Ahead Option: If you’d like to prepare these cinnamon rolls in advance, you can refrigerate the rolls after they’ve been cut and placed in the baking pan. Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, allow them to come to room temperature before baking as directed.
- Storage: Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, microwave individual rolls for 15-20 seconds for a quick and easy warm-up.
- Customization: You can customize the sprinkles and frosting colors to match any holiday or theme, making these rolls even more festive for different occasions.
Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20-22 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12 rolls
- Calories: 350 kcal per roll
Final Thoughts
These Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls bring a festive twist to a classic breakfast treat, combining the fun of a birthday cake with the comfort of a cinnamon roll. The soft, fluffy dough paired with the cinnamon-sugar filling and rainbow sprinkles makes each bite a celebration. Whether you’re making these for a birthday breakfast or simply to add some cheer to your day, these rolls are sure to delight. Enjoy!
Print
Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
These Birthday Cake Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect blend of a classic cinnamon roll and a colorful birthday cake! With soft, fluffy dough swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles, each bite feels like a celebration. They are ideal for a special breakfast or a fun dessert that will brighten up any occasion.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) regular active dry yeast
1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ rainbow bit cake mix
2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons rainbow candy sprinkles
1 container Betty Crocker™ Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
Additional candy sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
Grease a 13×9-inch pan or two 9-inch round cake pans with shortening or cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix warm water and yeast; let stand for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix the cake mix and 2 cups of flour. Add the water-yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until dough forms. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring between each addition until the dough comes together in a ball. You may not need all of the flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Gently punch down the dough and reshape it into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
Brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon, brown sugar, and rainbow sprinkles. Starting with one long end, tightly roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 12 rolls.
Place the rolls in the prepared pan(s), cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for another 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 20-22 minutes in a 13×9-inch pan or 12-15 minutes in the 9-inch round pans, or until the rolls are golden brown.
Cool for 5 minutes, then spread the rolls with the whipped cream cheese frosting. Garnish with additional candy sprinkles. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 350