Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking for a cozy, irresistibly fragrant treat to warm up your holiday mornings, you’ve got to try my Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with that perfect blend of warm spices and molasses, topped with the creamiest frosting that melts into every swirl. When I first made these, my whole kitchen smelled like Christmas, and my family couldn’t get enough. Stick with me and I’ll walk you through every step so your batch turns out just as magical.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe was chosen to create that tender, flavor-packed dough and irresistible frosting. I always recommend fresh spices and quality butter to get the best results. Let’s look at what you’ll need and a few handy tips for shopping:

• Active dry yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh — it’s the key to those fluffy, airy rolls.
• Warm water: Around 115°F is perfect to activate the yeast without killing it.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the right structure and softness for the dough.
• Granulated sugar: Balances the spices and helps yeast feed.
• Light brown sugar: Adds subtle molasses notes to the dough.
• Salt: Enhances all those holiday flavors you’ll love.
• Ground cinnamon: Essential in both dough and filling for that classic spice.
• Whole milk: Brings richness and moisture to the dough.
• Unsalted butter: I always use unsalted to control salt levels and melt it for softer dough.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavor profile.
• Egg and egg yolk: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough.
• Dark brown sugar: For a rich, molasses-packed filling that oozes sweetness.
• Orange zest: Brightens up the rich spice mix with fresh citrus notes.
• Ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom: Together they create that unmistakable gingerbread vibe.
• Full-fat cream cheese: Makes the frosting irresistibly creamy and tangy.
• Molasses: The secret ingredient that gives the frosting a deep, rich flavor.
• Confectioners’ sugar: For silky smooth sweetness in the frosting.

Variations

I love how versatile this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is. Over time, I’ve tweaked it to fit different tastes and occasions, and you can easily make it your own too!

• Spice it up: If you like your rolls with extra kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne or black pepper to the filling — it surprisingly enhances the warming spices.
• Vegan twist: Swap out the butter and cream cheese for plant-based alternatives and use a flax egg instead — I’ve had great success with this on a test run.
• Orange glaze: Instead of cream cheese frosting, mix powdered sugar with fresh orange juice and zest for a lighter topping that complements the orange in the filling beautifully.
• Nutty upgrade: Stir chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling for added crunch and richness.

How to Make Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast and Get the Dough Going

Start by sprinkling the active dry yeast over the warm water (around 115°F). Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy — this signals your yeast is alive and ready to make your rolls rise beautifully. I always set a timer because impatience once made me rush this and the dough was denser than I wanted.

Step 2: Mix the Dough and Knead to Perfection

In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, sugars, salt, and cinnamon. Then pour in the warm milk, melted butter, vanilla, eggs, and your foamy yeast mixture. Combine everything and knead — either with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or by hand on a floured surface — until the dough is smooth and elastic, usually about 8-10 minutes. If it feels sticky, dust it lightly with flour, but be careful not to add too much or the rolls might turn out dry.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise Warm and Cozy

Place your dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and set it somewhere warm to double in size — this usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. My trick is to preheat the oven to the lowest setting for a couple of minutes, turn it off, and put the dough inside — just like a little dough sauna. It makes a big difference, especially on chilly mornings!

Step 4: Roll and Fill with That Heavenly Gingerbread Mixture

Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 16×12 inches. Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with the dark brown sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and salt. I like to use my hands to really press the filling into the dough—it helps keep the layers intact when rolling.

Step 5: Slice and Arrange Rolls in a Pan

Roll up the dough tightly starting from the long edge and slice it into 12 even rolls — a sharp serrated knife works best here. Arrange the rolls snugly in a greased baking dish. Cover again and let them raise a second time for 30-45 minutes. This is crucial for the fluffy texture I adore.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Irresistible

Bake the rolls at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until they’re golden brown and the filling is bubbling slightly. Keep an eye on them—if they brown too quickly, tent with foil to prevent burning while they finish baking.

Step 7: Whip Up the Molasses Cream Cheese Frosting

While the rolls bake, beat together the cream cheese, butter, molasses, milk, vanilla, salt, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and fluffy. The molasses adds a gorgeous depth of flavor, making this frosting extra special. I like to keep a little extra frosting on hand for a second drizzle once they’ve cooled down a bit.

Step 8: Frost and Enjoy Warm

Once the rolls are just warm from the oven, slather them generously with the cream cheese frosting. The warmth helps the frosting melt slightly, creating that gooey, dreamy effect that makes everyone go “wow.” Serve with a large mug of coffee or hot cocoa and savor every bite!

How to Serve Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a generous layer of frosting, but when I want to wow guests, I sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or a little extra orange zest on top. Sometimes a dusting of extra cinnamon looks beautiful and adds an extra kick of aroma. These little touches make the rolls feel extra special, especially during the holidays.

Side Dishes

These rolls are so rich and flavorful that they shine on their own, but I love serving them alongside fresh fruit like sliced apples or oranges to add a fresh balance. A creamy hot chocolate or spiced chai tea also pairs wonderfully and turns breakfast into a cozy celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special brunch, I sometimes arrange these rolls in a wreath shape on a large platter, adding sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly for a festive look. Wrapping individual rolls in parchment paper and tying them with twine makes for adorable edible gifts too—trust me, everyone loves that personal touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers by covering the rolls loosely with plastic wrap or placing them in an airtight container at room temperature—for up to two days. When I’ve tried refrigerating them, they tend to dry out, so I usually avoid that unless I plan to reheat thoroughly.

Freezing

I happily freeze unbaked sliced rolls arranged on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw overnight in the fridge, let them rise a bit at room temperature, then bake. It’s a game changer for busy mornings or when you want to prep ahead!

Reheating

To reheat, I preheat the oven to 325°F and cover the rolls with foil to keep moisture in. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Then I add a fresh dollop of cream cheese frosting for that “just baked” feel. Microwave works in a pinch, but oven warming preserves that soft texture best.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe turns out every time—it truly brings that warm, festive feeling right into my kitchen. It’s become a family tradition that everyone looks forward to, which makes all the effort worth it. If you want a special breakfast that’s both comforting and impressive, you really can’t go wrong here. Promise me you’ll give it a try this season—you’ll be so glad you did!

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