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Home » Bread » Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

4 December, 2020 by Tara 9 Comments

A recipe for Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls! These overnight cinnamon rolls are filled with warming spices and covered in a thick cream cheese glaze. 

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls on two white plates.

I am not sure when exactly it started, but it has become tradition in our house to have cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a fun seasonal twist on the classic with molasses mixed right into the soft, fluffy dough and a spiced brown sugar filling packed with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice. 

They are an especially perfect holiday breakfast or brunch option since the rolls are prepared the night before and require an overnight rest in the refrigerator. Simply preheat the oven and bring the pan out to room temperature about an hour before ready to bake. Serve the lightly golden, warm Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with a thick cream cheese frosting for a final, decadent touch.

Aerial view of Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls in an oval white baking pan next to a bowl of glaze and scattered cinnamon sticks.

After mixing together the dough, it should be loose and slightly sticky. Knead until smooth and add just enough flour to be able to handle and roll out the dough. Be careful not to add too much or the rolls will lose their light and fluffy texture. 

Prepare the cream cheese glaze while the cinnamon rolls are in the oven. After beating until smooth and creamy, slowly add just enough milk to get the desired texture. Two tablespoons was perfect for me. Add a little more to thin out the frosting enough to be drizzled.  

These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are best warm from the oven and definitely the day they are baked. If you do have leftovers,  refrigerate in an airtight container and microwave for a few seconds until warmed through (preferably keeping the cream cheese frosting separate and spreading over the warmed roll). 

Looking for more cinnamon roll-inspired recipes?

Try my

  • Kanelsnegle (Danish Cinnamon Rolls)
  • Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
  • Cinnamon Roll Donuts

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Adapted from Wood and Spoon

Two Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls on two white plates.
Print Pin
5 from 6 votes

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

A recipe for Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls! These overnight cinnamon rolls are filled with warming spices and covered in a thick cream cheese glaze. 
Course Breakfast
Cuisine N/A
Keyword breakfast, brunch, cinnamon, cinnamon roll, gingerbread
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time: 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 55 minutes
Servings 12 Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk lukewarm (105-115˚F, 40-46˚C)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons (10 grams) active dry yeast
  • 4 1/2 cups (600 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup (70 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons (55 grams) unsalted butter softened at room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) molasses

Filling:

  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 4 tablespoons (55 grams) unsalted butter softened at room temperature

Glaze:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese softened at room temperature
  • 4 tablespoons (55 grams) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

To make the dough:

  • In a small bowl, sprinkle yeast over lukewarm milk. Stir to combine and allow to sit until frothy, about 10 minutes.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or a large bowl, combine the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt.
  • Mix the yeast with milk, butter, eggs, and molasses into the flour mixture until the dough comes together. It should be a little loose and slightly sticky. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl, cover with a cloth or plastic wrap, and allow to rest until doubled, about 1 hour.

To assemble:

  • Grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
  • Lightly flour a large work surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 11 x 17 inches (28-43 cm).
  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice.
  • Spread the softened butter over the rectangle and evenly cover with the spiced sugar.
  • Roll up the rectangle tightly from long side to long side and pinch the seam to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
  • Place the rolls cut side up in the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

To bake:

  • Remove the pan of cinnamon rolls from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
  • Bake the cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes.
  • While the cinnamon rolls are in the oven, make the cream cheese glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter. Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add just enough milk to create a smooth, thick glaze.
  • Spread the glaze over the cinnamon rolls while they are still warm and serve immediately.

Related

Filed Under: Bread, Breakfast Tagged With: bread, breakfast, cinnamon, cinnamon roll, gingerbread

Previous Post: « Biscotti Diamante and Sant Ambroeus Cookbook
Next Post: Orange Poppy Seed Baked Doughnuts »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lk529

    23 December, 2014 at 9:18 am

    Gingerbread sounds like a fun and festive twist! We do cinnamon rolls Christmas morning too.

    Reply
    • Tara

      28 December, 2014 at 11:05 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  2. Michelle

    4 December, 2020 at 5:52 am

    5 stars
    Just found your site! We live in LA county and the recipes from all over the world are relatable and fantastic. My twin 4yr olds can’t’ have chocolate but they enjoy the dark colors of gingerbread. They have been begging me to do something with yeast. These gingerbread rolls will be perfect. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Tara

      4 December, 2020 at 12:36 pm

      Hi Michelle! So glad you found me and hope your kids love the cinnamon rolls! We have two years left in LA so hopefully things get better soon and I can share more of the city before we go.

      Reply
  3. Sue

    4 December, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    5 stars
    I love cinnamon rolls and the addition of gingerbread flavor sounds just DIVINE!

    Reply
  4. Jenn

    4 December, 2020 at 12:52 pm

    5 stars
    I have been told by my family to make these at least once per holiday season. They’re so good! perfect balance of flavor and not that hard to make.

    Reply
  5. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

    4 December, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning sounds absolutely blissful! I love the sound of these – the gingerbread and cinnamon are such wonderful flavours.

    Reply
  6. Jamie

    4 December, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    5 stars
    Oooh these look so amazing! Such a festive treat that would make my whole house smell amazing. Saving this to make this weekend!

    Reply
  7. Tawnie

    4 December, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve been on a gingerbread kick and these turned out incredible! SO glad I found this recipe!

    Reply

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