Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

There’s something truly magical about warm, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls drizzled with rich cream cheese glaze. These fluffy spirals of soft dough filled with buttery cinnamon sugar are a timeless comfort treat. The aroma of cinnamon wafting through the kitchen as they bake is pure joy — and biting into one fresh from the oven is like tasting happiness itself.

Whether it’s a cozy Sunday morning, a special holiday breakfast, or just a day that needs a little extra sweetness, these Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze will make every moment feel special.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s pure comfort in every bite. The dough is soft, tender, and perfectly buttery, while the cinnamon sugar filling melts into a sweet swirl of goodness. The cream cheese glaze adds a luscious tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.

I also love how therapeutic and rewarding it is to make them from scratch — kneading the dough, watching it rise, and seeing the golden rolls emerge from the oven. It’s a heartwarming baking experience that never fails to impress both family and guests.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

You must try this dish because it’s:

• Classic and crowd-pleasing — everyone loves cinnamon rolls!
• Homemade and wholesome — no preservatives or artificial flavors.
• Soft, gooey, and rich — a bakery-quality treat right from your oven.
• Perfect for celebrations — breakfast, brunch, holidays, or dessert.
• Easily customizable — adapt with nuts, chocolate, or fruit fillings.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes (plus rising time: 1 hour 30 minutes)
• Baking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Servings

• Serves: 12 rolls

Calories (per roll)

• Approx. 350–400 calories (with cream cheese glaze)

Cuisine

• Cuisine: American

Course

• Course: Breakfast / Brunch / Dessert

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (to thin, as needed)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the dough by combining warm milk, yeast, sugar, butter, egg, and flour. Knead until smooth.
2. Let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
3. Roll dough into a large rectangle and spread with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture.
4. Roll tightly and cut into 12 equal rolls.
5. Let rise again for 30 minutes.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden.
7. Mix cream cheese glaze ingredients and spread over warm rolls.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Warm the milk until just lukewarm (not hot). Add the yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes, until foamy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rest of the sugar, butter, egg, and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir in the flour gradually.
Knead the dough (by hand or with a dough hook) for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour — until doubled in size.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until it forms a spreadable paste.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle (about 16x12 inches). Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the surface. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log.
Cut into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.

Step 6: Second Rise

Arrange rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes, until puffy.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and baked through.

Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add milk as needed to reach a pourable consistency.

Step 9: Glaze and Serve

Spread the glaze generously over the warm rolls so it melts into every swirl. Serve warm and enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth perfection!

How to Serve

Serve the cinnamon rolls:

• Warm, fresh from the oven with melted glaze.
• Alongside coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for breakfast or brunch.
• As a sweet dessert after dinner.

They’re best enjoyed fresh and slightly warm, when the glaze melts into the soft layers.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use warm (not hot) milk: Hot milk can kill the yeast.
• Don’t skip rising time: It’s what makes the rolls soft and fluffy.
• Use dental floss to cut: It helps slice clean rolls without squishing the dough.
• Spread glaze while warm: This allows it to soak in perfectly.
• Make ahead: You can refrigerate shaped rolls overnight and bake them the next morning!

Recipe Variations

1. Pecan Cinnamon Rolls: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for crunch.
2. Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add finely chopped apples to the filling for a fruity twist.
3. Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Sprinkle chocolate chips inside the roll before baking.
4. Maple Glaze: Replace vanilla extract with maple syrup for a warm, fall flavor.
5. Mini Rolls: Roll and cut into smaller pieces for bite-sized cinnamon rolls.

Freezing and Storage

To Store:

• Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for 5 days.

To Freeze (Before Baking):

• After shaping, place unbaked rolls in a tray, cover tightly, and freeze up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, let rise 30 minutes, then bake as usual.

To Freeze (After Baking):

• Let baked rolls cool completely, then freeze individually or as a batch for up to 3 months.
• Reheat in oven at 325°F (165°C) for 10–12 minutes or microwave briefly before glazing.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Electric mixer (for glaze)
• Bench scraper or dental floss for cutting rolls
• Plastic wrap or damp towel for proofing

Conclusion

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are the ultimate homemade indulgence — soft, buttery, and bursting with sweet cinnamon flavor. The creamy, tangy glaze perfectly complements the warm rolls, making every bite heavenly. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this classic recipe brings warmth, comfort, and sweetness to any day.

Bake them once, and they’ll become a cherished tradition in your kitchen — because nothing says “made with love” quite like freshly baked cinnamon rolls!