Imagine pancakes swirled with cinnamon sugar and finished with a luscious cream cheese glaze—pure morning magic. This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe captures all the cozy flavors of your favorite cinnamon roll, but in pancake form. It’s one of those recipes that turns any breakfast into a special occasion, trust me.

A stack of four thick pancakes sits on a white plate, each pancake golden brown with slightly crisp edges. Between each pancake is a thick layer of light-colored creamy sauce that drips down the sides, with a swirl of amber-colored syrup artistically spiraled on top of the stack. The plate rests on a blue cloth with a metal fork beside it on the right. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Let me tell you, I’ve made a lot of pancakes in my kitchen, but these stand out. They combine the best parts of cinnamon rolls and pancakes, so you get that familiar swirl, the rich buttery flavor, and that irresistible cream cheese drizzle—without the fuss of dough-rising or yeast.

Swirled Cinnamon Sugar:** The cinnamon-sugar butter swirl creates that iconic cinnamon roll look and flavor right inside each pancake.
Cream Cheese Glaze: Unlike plain syrup, this creamy glaze adds sweetness and tang that keep each bite balanced and indulgent.
Easy to Make: No complicated dough or long waits here—you’ll have breakfast ready in under an hour.
Perfect for Special Mornings: These pancakes elevate any brunch or lazy weekend morning into a memorable treat.

Two thick, fluffy pancakes stacked on a round white plate, with a swirl of amber syrup on top, glistening and slightly dripping down the sides. A silver fork rests beside the stack. In the background, slightly blurred, is a small white bowl filled with a creamy, pale spread. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth napkin partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

What’s cool about this Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe is that it uses common pantry staples but transforms them beautifully. Each ingredient plays a crucial role to get that soft texture, sweet spice, and creamy finish you want in every bite.

Flat lay of a small mound of light brown sugar, a stick of unsalted butter partially melted, a wooden spoon heaped with ground cinnamon, a smooth block of cream cheese softened, a pile of powdered sugar, two large brown eggs with a slight shine, a small bowl of whole milk, and a heap of all-purpose flour, all beautifully arranged with soft natural light highlighting their textures and colors, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for tender, fluffy pancakes without being too dense.
Baking powder: This is your fluffy-maker, helping the pancakes rise nicely and stay light.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and plays a subtle role in browning the pancakes.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance flavors and enhance the sweetness of the cinnamon sugar swirl.
Unsalted butter: Melted in the batter and also used in the cinnamon swirl, butter offers richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Whole milk: Room temperature milk keeps the batter smooth and helps each pancake cook evenly.
Large eggs: They bind everything and add a bit of extra fluff and structure to the pancakes.
Brown sugar: Packed into the swirl for that deep caramel sweetness that’s classic in cinnamon rolls.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice here, giving that warm, cozy flavor in every swirl.
Cream cheese: For the glaze, smooth and tangy—this is what sets these pancakes apart from your regular breakfast stack.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese glaze perfectly without any graininess.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the glaze’s flavor beautifully.
Canola or vegetable oil: For greasing your pan so pancakes cook evenly without sticking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’m a big fan of flexibility in recipes, and this one’s no exception. I often swap out a bit of the milk for buttermilk to add tang and depth, but it’s great as-is. Feel free to experiment by adding chopped nuts into the swirl or swapping classic vanilla for a splash of almond extract in the glaze.

Variation: When I’ve made these with a handful of toasted pecans folded into the batter, it adds a wonderful crunch that’s unexpected but amazing.
Dietary swap: Using milk alternatives like oat or almond milk works well, just keep them at room temperature for the best batter consistency.
Flavor boost: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon swirl for a warm, fragrant twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture

Start by combining melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. This mixture is your secret swirl magic, so make sure it’s well blended and smooth. Then, transfer it to a pastry bag or a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Keeping it ready makes the swirling process easy and precise when you’re cooking the pancakes.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze

Next, beat softened butter with cream cheese until smooth—no lumps, that’s key! Slowly add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, mixing until you get a glossy, spreadable glaze. I usually cover this with plastic wrap and set it aside while I make the pancakes. It’s even better if you can make it the day before and chill it, which helps the flavors meld.

Step 3: Mix the Pancake Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Stir in the melted butter, then milk and beaten eggs until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be slightly lumpy but fully combined, which helps keep the pancakes fluffy.

Step 4: Cook & Swirl Your Pancakes

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat and brush it lightly with oil. Pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Right away, pipe a swirl of cinnamon sugar butter onto each pancake's surface. Here’s a crucial tip: don’t flip the pancakes! Instead, turn the heat down to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let them cook slowly for 3 to 5 minutes. This gentle cooking avoids burning the sugar and ensures your pancakes are cooked through but still soft.

Step 5: Serve Warm & Drizzle

Once cooked, stack those beauties on a plate, drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze, and dig in while warm. The combination of warm cinnamon, soft pancakes, and tangy glaze is just irresistible.

Top Tip

Having made this recipe many times, I’ve learned a few things that really take it from good to unforgettable. These tips saved me from common hiccups and might help you enjoy the process even more.

Swirl Control: Use a small piping tip or a finely snipped corner on your bag to get nice, even swirls without the mixture spilling over the edges.
Low & Slow Cooking: The sugar can burn fast if your pan’s too hot, so keep your heat on low and cover your pan to help the pancakes cook through evenly.
Room Temperature Ingredients: I always bring eggs and milk to room temp before mixing in—they blend faster and prevent a lumpy batter.
Glaze Temperature: If your cream cheese glaze is too chilled, let it sit at room temperature a bit before drizzling; it spreads and melts beautifully over warm pancakes.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and just add extra cream cheese glaze or a light dusting of powdered sugar on top. Sometimes I throw on some fresh berries or sliced bananas to cut through the richness—it adds a fresh pop of flavor that’s delightful.

Side Dishes

These pancakes pair wonderfully with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a savory contrast. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea also complements the cinnamon flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun brunch, make mini versions and stack them like a cinnamon roll tower, drizzling glaze in between layers. Add edible flowers or chopped toasted nuts on top for a fancy twist that never fails to impress guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep them from drying out, I place a slightly damp paper towel in the container—it keeps the moisture in just right.

Freezing

These pancakes freeze really well! After cooling completely, I layer them between pieces of parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag or container. They maintain their flavor and texture for up to 2 months.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a toaster or in a hot skillet over low heat to keep the edges crisp but the inside soft. The glaze gets melty and delicious again with just a few moments of warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the cinnamon swirl ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cinnamon swirl mixture can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Just give it a quick stir before piping to ensure it’s smooth.

Is it necessary to keep the milk and eggs at room temperature?

While not mandatory, using room temperature eggs and milk helps the batter mix more evenly and prevents clumps. It also contributes to fluffier pancakes. If you forget, you can quickly warm milk slightly and bring eggs to room temp by sitting in warm water for a few minutes.

Can I use a different type of sugar in the cinnamon swirl?

Brown sugar is preferred for its deep molasses flavor that mimics cinnamon rolls, but you can use coconut sugar or a palm sugar alternative if you want a different flavor profile. Just note the taste will vary slightly.

How do I avoid burning the cinnamon sugar on the pancakes?

The key is cooking on low heat and covering the pan after piping the cinnamon swirl. This allows the pancakes to cook through without the sugar burning. Avoid turning the heat too high, or the sugar will blacken before the pancakes are fully cooked.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe is one of those little kitchen treasures I keep coming back to when I want to treat myself or impress guests without spending hours. The combination of soft pancakes, a luscious cinnamon swirl, and that dreamy cream cheese glaze feels like a warm hug on a plate. I hope you’ll make it soon and share it with people you love—there’s just something about cinnamon roll flavors that bring everyone together around the breakfast table.