If you loved our easy Easter Egg Bread Rolls last year, this bunny bread recipe is another fun side dish with ham that everyone loves. Made with homemade bread dough, refrigerated biscuits or Rhodes frozen dough, this is a family favorite delicious holiday dish.
You may call these bunny buns instead, there is no right or wrong name for them. All you really need is dough and sesame seeds are fun for the tails so they stand out. Twisted into an Easter rabbit shape, kids love this side dish for sure. (affiliate links present)
Bunny Bread
If you want to know How to Bake Frozen Rolls in these shapes, that is easy but you will need 45 minutes or so to defrost them. You don’t want them completely soft but enough where they can be rolled and twisted into this rabbit shape. Rhodes frozen dough is a great option if you want to go this route.
We explain here How to Cook a Spiral Ham in the Oven so take a peek at that so you can time it all well. Just prep the dough for these first. Prep everything else and both make a great duo. Served with some vegetables on the side is usually all we make. The rest is baking sweets to be honest. ๐
Bunny Buns
We are all about fun food when the holiday season arrives. Like when it comes to baskets. Of course you can buy plastic eggs to fill but we showed you How to Make Chocolate Surprise Eggs one year which are way more fun. I mean they can’t be hidden outside or they will melt but enjoyed throughout the day and filled with goodies are the best.
- 4 c all purpose flour is what is necessary to make any sort of fluffy bread
- 2 tbsp sugar will help make the yeast active and frothy
- 1 tsp salt will give it a bit of savory flavor, you could add other seasonings if you like
- Packet of active dry yeast or use 2 1/4 tsp. out of a larger container
- 1 1/4 c milk warm will help to activate the yeast as it sits
- 1/4 c butter unsalted and melted
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup of sesame seeds
I mean you could use everything bagel seasoning or poppy seeds for the tail too. They all work and not totally necessary but it makes it stand out more and look more like the shape you are intending it to be.
Easter Bunny Rolls
Whether you want to make bunny buns with refrigerated biscuits or homemade dough you just roll into a ball and then into strips like snakes. Fold in half and twist until the ends are pointed at the top like ears. Roll another piece of bread dough into a ball, roll in seeds of your choice for the tail, and place at the bottom. Then you are ready to bake your Easter rolls.
Easter Bunny Bread
To start; in a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together warm milk, melted butter, and the egg.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, kneading the dough until it becomes smooth, elastic and pulls away from the sides.
- this can be done in a stand mixer with dough hook
- Cover with plastic wrap or with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Run spatula under warm water and scrape sides of the bowl to remove all of dough.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each portion into a rope. Lightly flour a surface
- Pinch a ball off the end to be reserved for the tail.
- Then twist the remaining rope to form a bunny shape with ears. Place the shaped bunnies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Dip each bunny’s tail in water and dip it in sesame seeds for a furry look.
- Place the sesame ball onto the twisted bunny bun. You can lightly brush with egg wash for a shine if you like
- Bake Easter recipe in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the buns are golden brown.
- Allow the Bunny Buns to cool for about 20 minutes, or just slightly before serving.
While we are waiting for the dough to rise and bake on the side many times we will make a Easter Cheese Ball to serve up as well for dessert.
Rabbit Rolls
And that is how it is done!! Yes you can make a regular 6 Ingredient Roll Recipe that are just round but shapes are just better right?
What are a few other holiday related treats you should make for this special day? Well there are many but we like easy so we will make this Cake Mix Easter Bundt Cake for after our meal. You can make this in the morning and have that done and checked off of the list of things to do.
On a smaller level my kids love to make Italian Easter Cookies with Egg because they can decorate the top with all sorts of pastel colored sprinkles. Those could be made the day before and stored in a sealed container which can be handy if you know you are going to be super busy on the big day.
Bunny Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 2 bowls
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- 4 c all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast, 2 1/4 tsp.
- 1 1/4 c milk, warm
- 1/4 c butter, unsalted, melted
- 1 egg
- 1/4 c sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together warm milk, melted butter, and the egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each portion into a rope.
- Pinch a ball off the end to be reserved for the tail, Then twist the remaining rope to form a bunny shape with ears. Place the shaped bunnies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Dip each bunny's tail in water and dip it in sesame seeds for a furry look. Place the sesame ball onto the twisted bunny bun. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the buns are golden brown. Allow the Bunny Buns to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.