Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Introduction

Few things embody the spirit of Christmas morning quite like the warm aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls drifting through the house. Soft, fluffy dough spiraled with cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a luscious cream cheese glaze — these rolls are the ultimate festive indulgence.

Cinnamon rolls have always been a holiday favorite, but when paired with the coziness of Christmas traditions — stockings, twinkling lights, and the excitement of unwrapping gifts — they become more than just a treat; they become a memory.

These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are designed to be both impressive and approachable, making them perfect for serving family, friends, or even Santa himself.

Why I Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about the holiday season — the twinkling lights, the sound of carols, and the scent of cinnamon wafting through the house. This recipe captures all of that Christmas magic in one delicious bite. I love these Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze because they aren’t just a sweet treat; they’re a tradition, a moment of togetherness, and a reason to slow down and savor the holiday morning.

The rolls themselves are pillowy-soft and buttery, with that irresistible swirl of spiced brown sugar that feels like a warm hug on a winter day. But what takes them over the top is the luxurious cream cheese glaze — rich, smooth, and just the right balance of tangy and sweet. Every time I take a bite, it feels indulgent yet comforting, like the best parts of Christmas wrapped up in pastry form.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

If there’s one holiday recipe you absolutely need on your Christmas table, it’s these Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze. They’re not just another breakfast pastry — they’re the centerpiece of a cozy, joy-filled morning.

First, the flavor combination is irresistible. Soft, buttery rolls layered with a cinnamon-sugar filling give that classic, nostalgic taste we all crave during the holidays. Then comes the glaze — velvety cream cheese frosting that melts into every swirl, making each bite rich, gooey, and unforgettable.

Second, this dish is a showstopper. Imagine serving a platter of golden, spiraled rolls drizzled with creamy glaze and maybe even sprinkled with red and green decorations — it instantly creates that festive, magical holiday vibe. They’re as beautiful as they are delicious, guaranteed to impress family and guests.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes (plus 1 hr 30 min rising time)
• Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes
• Servings: 12 rolls
• Calories (per roll with glaze): ~320 kcal
• Course: Breakfast / Brunch / Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg (optional, for extra holiday warmth)

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk (to desired consistency)

Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
   • Add egg, melted butter, and salt. Gradually add flour until dough forms.
2. Knead & First Rise:
   • Knead dough for 8–10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic.
   • Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour (or until doubled).
3. Make the Filling:
   • Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a paste.
4. Roll & Fill:
   • Roll dough into a 14×9-inch rectangle.
   • Spread filling evenly, leaving a ½-inch border.
5. Shape the Rolls:
   • Roll dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 even pieces.
   • Place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Second Rise:
   • Cover and let rolls rise again for 30–40 minutes.
7. Bake:
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
8. Make the Glaze:
   • Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
9. Glaze & Serve:
   • Spread glaze over warm rolls and serve immediately.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Proof yeast in warm milk + sugar.
2. Mix with butter, egg, salt, flour → knead until smooth.
3. Rise for 1 hour until doubled.
4. Roll into rectangle → spread cinnamon-sugar filling.
5. Roll up, slice into 12 rolls.
6. Place in pan → rise again 30–40 minutes.
7. Bake until golden.
8. Prepare glaze.
9. Spread glaze over warm rolls → enjoy!

How to Serve

• Serve warm with glaze drizzled generously over the rolls.
• Pair with coffee, hot cocoa, or spiced tea.
• Decorate with festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes for Christmas flair.
• Serve as a Christmas breakfast centerpiece or holiday dessert.

Recipe Tips

• Use room-temperature ingredients for the best dough texture.
• Don’t overbake — rolls should be golden, not dry.
• For gooier rolls, pour a little warm cream over rolls before baking.
• Slice rolls with floss or string for clean cuts.
• For extra festive flair, top with red & green sprinkles or crushed peppermint.

Variations

1. Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls: Add ginger, cloves, and molasses to the filling.
2. Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add sautéed apples to the filling for a fruity twist.
3. Pecan Sticky Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans in the filling and drizzle caramel sauce on top.
4. Eggnog Glaze: Replace milk with eggnog in the glaze for a holiday twist.
5. Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls: Add mini chocolate chips to the filling.

Freezing and Storage

• Room Temperature: Store covered up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Keep for 5 days; reheat before serving.
• Freezing Baked Rolls: Freeze without glaze up to 2 months. Thaw, warm, and glaze before serving.
• Freezing Dough: Freeze shaped (unbaked) rolls, thaw overnight, let rise, and bake fresh.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• 9×13 baking dish
• Electric mixer (optional for glaze)
• Kitchen scale (for even rolls)
• Pastry brush

Conclusion

These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are more than just a recipe — they’re a holiday tradition waiting to happen. With their pillowy dough, fragrant cinnamon filling, and silky glaze, they’re festive, heartwarming, and absolutely irresistible.

Perfect for Christmas morning or any winter day, these rolls bring joy to the table and smiles to everyone who tastes them. Once you make them, they’ll become a cherished part of your holiday celebrations year after year.

Print Recipe

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Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Breakfast, Desserts

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 1 hr

Servings: 12 Calories: 320kcal per roll with glaze

Description

Few things embody the spirit of Christmas morning quite like the warm aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls drifting through the house. Soft, fluffy dough spiraled with cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a luscious cream cheese glaze — these rolls are the ultimate festive indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg (optional, for extra holiday warmth)

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp 2–3 milk (to desired consistency)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. Add egg, melted butter, and salt. Gradually add flour until dough forms.
2. Knead & First Rise: Knead dough for 8–10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour (or until doubled).
3. Make the Filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a paste.
4. Roll & Fill: Roll dough into a 14x9-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly, leaving a ½-inch border.
5. Shape the Rolls: Roll dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 even pieces. Place in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
6. Second Rise: Cover and let rolls rise again for 30–40 minutes.
7. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
8. Make the Glaze: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.
9. Glaze & Serve: Spread glaze over warm rolls and serve immediately.

Keywords: Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze