Easter Bunny Pastry Twists

Last spring, my niece helped me make these for our family brunch and she insisted each twist needed its own personality. The kitchen ended up dusted in cinnamon sugar with tiny fingerprints everywhere, but watching her proudly present her slightly lopsided bunny creation made the mess completely worth it.

I brought a batch to my book club meeting and the women immediately started making up stories about which bunny twist belonged to which member. The one with the longest ears apparently represented our tallest friend, and the slightly burned one went to the member who always talks too much.

Ingredients

• Puff pastry: Keep it cold until youre ready to work with it or it becomes frustratingly sticky and hard to shape
• Unsalted butter: Melt it completely so it brushes evenly across the pastry without tearing the delicate layers
• Granulated sugar and cinnamon: Mix these thoroughly before sprinkling so you get consistent flavor in every bite
• Icing sugar: Sift it first to avoid lumps in your glaze that make drizzling messy
• Milk: Add it drop by drop until you reach the right consistency

Instructions

Prep your oven and workspace:

Preheat to 190°C (375°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then clear enough counter space for rolling out pastry

Roll and prepare the pastry:

Gently roll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface just enough to smooth out any creases from folding

Brush with butter:

Use a pastry brush to coat the entire surface with melted butter, working quickly so the pastry doesnt warm up

Add cinnamon sugar:

Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly across the buttered pastry, leaving a small border around the edges

Form the strips:

Cut the pastry into 12 even strips about 2 cm wide using a sharp knife or pizza cutter

Shape bunny ears:

Twist each strip in opposite directions and form a loop at the bottom, pressing gently to hold the shape

Bake to golden perfection:

Arrange twists on the prepared tray and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until puffed and golden brown

Add the finishing touch:

Cool briefly then drizzle with icing mixed from powdered sugar and milk, adding sprinkles while still wet

Save

My husband ate three warm ones straight from the cooling rack and pretended not to notice the others were shaped like bunnies at all. Apparently, in his mind, they were just conveniently shaped cinnamon twists.

Getting Creative with Flavors

The basic cinnamon sugar version is classic, but Ive found that swapping in cocoa powder mixed with the sugar creates an incredibly rich chocolate variation. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon mixture for something more sophisticated that adults will love just as much as kids.

Making Them Ahead

You can cut and shape the twists up to 24 hours in advance, freezing them on the baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a storage bag. Bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the cooking time. The icing should be added just before serving for the freshest appearance.

Serving Suggestions

These shine on an Easter brunch spread alongside fresh fruit and scrambled eggs, but they are also perfect for packing into lunchboxes or serving as an after school treat. They keep reasonably well for a day in an airtight container, though they are undoubtedly best the same day.

• Place a pastel colored candy or mini marshmallow at the base of each twist as a bunny tail
• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for an unexpected dessert
• Package in clear bags tied with ribbon for edible party favors

Save

There is something deeply satisfying about turning simple pastry into something that makes people smile before they even take a bite.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I make these twists ahead of time?

Yes, prepare and shape the twists up to 24 hours in advance. Refrigerate on a parchment-lined tray covered tightly with plastic wrap. Bake fresh when needed, adding 1-2 extra minutes if baking from cold.

→ What other fillings work well?

Beyond cinnamon-sugar, try cocoa powder mixed with sugar for chocolate lovers. Nutella spreads beautifully before twisting. For a fruity version, use finely chopped dried fruit or lemon zest with sugar.

→ How do I store leftover twists?

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. For longer storage, freeze unbaked twists on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 3-4 minutes to cooking time.

→ Can I use homemade puff pastry?

Absolutely. Homemade rough puff pastry works wonderfully here. Ensure it's well-chilled before rolling and cutting. The key is keeping everything cold to maintain those signature flaky layers during baking.

→ What's the best way to get even bunny ear shapes?

Cut uniform 2cm strips using a ruler or pizza cutter for precision. Twist gently but firmly—over-twisting causes tearing. Press ends firmly onto the baking sheet to help maintain shape during rising and baking.