Name: Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 32 min
Total time: 2 h 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup (60mL) warm water; 2 and ½ Tablespoons (32g) granulated sugar; 1 and ⅛ teaspoons (3.5g) dry active yeast; ¼ cup (60mL) milk (any kind); 2 Tablespoons (30mL) unsulphered molasses (do not use black strap); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 large egg; 2 and ½ cups (300g) all purpose flour; 3 Tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, softened; ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar; ¼ cup (50g) firmly packed light brown sugar; 1 and ½ Tablespoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 Tablespoon (15mL) unsulphered molasses (do not use black strap); 2 ounces (57g) full fat block cream cheese, softened; 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened; ½ Tablespoon (15mL) unsulphered molasses (do not use black strap); ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¾ cups (90g) powdered sugar; pinch of salt

There’s something utterly magical about warm, gooey rolls perfumed with spices—enter these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. They bring a cozy, nostalgic feeling right into your kitchen, with every bite bursting with rich molasses and warming gingerbread flavors. Trust me, making these will feel like wrapping yourself in a soft, spiced hug.

The image shows a close-up of four cinnamon rolls arranged tightly together on a piece of light brown parchment paper, placed on a white marbled surface. Each cinnamon roll has a dark golden-brown dough base with visible cinnamon swirls inside. On top, there is a thick, smooth layer of light brown frosting with a creamy texture that softly covers the rolls, showing slight swirling patterns from spreading. A woman's hand is gently holding the bottom left cinnamon roll, adding a human touch to the cozy scene. A thin red ribbon lies partially under the parchment paper. 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 Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I get why this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe quickly became one of my favorites. It’s not just about the beautiful mix of gingerbread spices and cinnamon, but the way the rolls turn out tender, with a slightly sticky sweetness that feels just right. They’re a perfect treat whether you’re cozied up on a chilly morning or bringing a festive flair to a weekend brunch.

Perfect Flavor Balance: The blend of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates that classic gingerbread vibe with a cinnamon roll twist that’s irresistible.
Soft & Tender Dough: Kneading just right makes a dough that’s smooth, elastic, and bakes into rolls that melt in your mouth.
Rich Cream Cheese Frosting: The molasses adds depth to the frosting, elevating it beyond your average glaze.
Flexible & Friendly: This recipe works beautifully for making ahead, freezing, and customizing to your taste or schedule.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a special role in making these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe shine. From activating the yeast just right to the cozy spices and creamy frosting, having quality ingredients will make your rolls even better.

Flat lay of a large whole egg with a clean shell, a small mound of all purpose flour, a few pieces of softened unsalted butter cut into chunks, a small white ceramic bowl with warm water, a small white bowl with milk, a small white bowl holding unsulphered molasses, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of light brown sugar packed, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl containing active dry yeast granules, a block of full fat cream cheese, all ingredients arranged symmetrically and naturally, fresh and unprocessed, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Warm water: Key to waking up your yeast for that beautiful rise and airy texture.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast while adding a subtle sweetness to the dough and filling.
Dry active yeast: The magic leavener that makes those rolls light and fluffy.
Milk: Adds moisture and richness, making the dough soft and tender.
Unsulphered molasses: The star in this recipe, giving deep flavor and that unmistakable gingerbread richness (don’t use blackstrap—it’s too intense!).
Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg: The warm spices that create that signature holiday vibe in both dough and filling.
Egg: Adds structure and helps bind the dough, making it richer.
All-purpose flour: Provides the body for the dough—you’ll want to measure this carefully for best results.
Unsalted butter: Incorporated in bits for rich dough and melted in the filling for that mouthwatering finish.
Light brown sugar: Adds soft caramel notes to the filling’s sweetness.
Cream cheese: The base of the luscious frosting, bringing tangy creaminess that pairs perfectly with molasses and spices.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting.
Pinch of salt in frosting: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your own tastes. I often swap out half the cinnamon for cardamom for a different warm spice note or add chopped crystallized ginger to the filling for an extra zing.

Variation: For a nut-free version, just skip any nuts in your filling; or add chopped pecans or walnuts if you like a little crunch. I once added orange zest to the frosting — such a lovely seasonal twist!
Dietary changes: You can substitute milk with almond or oat milk for dairy-free, and use vegan butter and cream cheese to make this entirely plant-based.
Make it smaller: I’ve halved this recipe when baking for just two people — I just keep an eye on baking times as smaller rolls cook faster.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A cinnamon roll with light brown icing thickly spread on top, showing soft, fluffy inner layers of dough swirled with darker brown cinnamon filling. The roll is partly eaten, exposing the moist and textured inside with a spoon scooping a piece from the side. It sits on a white plate with small dark speckles, placed on a white marbled surface with a hint of red fabric nearby and some blurred green leaves in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Activating Yeast & Preparing Dough

I always start by mixing warm water with granulated sugar and dry active yeast—this little resting step (about 5-10 minutes) is key so you’ll see a bubbly, foamy surface, proving your yeast is alive and kicking. No bubbles? Give your yeast or water temperature a quick check before moving on.

Step 2: Combining Spices & Wet Ingredients

Once the yeast is active, I whisk in milk, molasses, salt, and the warming spices along with the egg. You want that rich aroma starting to build in your bowl—it’s a good sign we’re on track! The molasses is what sets the gingerbread tone, so don’t skip it.

Step 3: Mixing Flour & Butter Into Dough

Next, add in flour gradually. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook makes this easier, but a sturdy wooden spoon and some elbow grease work great too. When the dough pulls most of the flour in but still looks shaggy, add the softened butter. The dough will start to come together smoother, so keep going until it’s mostly cohesive but still pliable—kind of how PlayDoh feels. This texture means your rolls will bake up tender but hold shape.

Step 4: Kneading & Resting

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it feels elastic and smooth. It’s a bit of a workout, but worth it for that springy texture. After kneading, let it rest for about 10 minutes while you mix the filling—it helps relax the gluten, making rolling easier.

Step 5: Preparing Filling & Rolling Out

In a bowl, whisk together the granular sugars with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. When your dough’s rested, roll it gently into a 9x12 inch rectangle—don’t rush this part, the dough is elastic and might want to bounce back, but a little patience goes a long way.

Brush melted butter and molasses mixture across the dough, leaving a small border. Sprinkle your spiced sugar blend evenly over the top. This step is where the magic happens: that sticky, spiced filling melts into the dough as it bakes, making every bite pure joy.

Step 6: Rolling, Slicing & Proofing

Carefully roll the dough lengthwise into a tight 12-inch log. Using your hands, gently pinch the ends to keep everything contained. Slice into 6 even rolls with a serrated knife—don’t stress if some filling oozes out, that just means extra deliciousness!

Place rolls cut side down in your buttered dish, press down just a bit, then cover loosely with foil or a towel. Let them rise for 1.5 hours—this proofing stage is what makes them fluff up perfectly.

Step 7: Baking

Preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Bake the rolls for about 28-32 minutes until just starting to brown. If you see the tops getting too dark, tent gently with foil. I like to let mine cool for 15 minutes before frosting so the cream cheese doesn’t melt away—patience makes every bit count!

Step 8: Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened cream cheese, butter, cinnamon, and molasses until smooth. Then lower the mixer speed and add powdered sugar and a pinch of salt slowly until you get a luscious, spreadable frosting. Slather it generously on warm rolls and dive in!

Top Tip

From baking these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe several times, I learned that small tweaks can make a big difference in texture and flavor. Here are a few tips that I swear by to get yours just right every time.

Yeast Activation: Always check your water temperature – too hot and it kills the yeast; too cold and it won’t activate. Aim for pleasantly warm, like bath water.
Rolling Patience: Don’t rush rolling the dough out; the elasticity means it’ll spring back if you’re rough. Take your time, this helps keep the rolls even.
Use Serrated Knife: A sharp serrated knife slices through the soft dough cleanly without squishing the rolls.
Don’t Skip Resting After Kneading: The 10-minute rest lets gluten relax, which makes rolling out way easier and results in tender rolls.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

gingerbread cinnamon rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I enjoy topping these rolls with a light dusting of cinnamon or a few festive sprinkles for holiday breakfasts. Sometimes I add finely chopped pecans on top of the frosting for a little crunch and contrast—it’s a nice touch that also looks inviting.

Side Dishes

A cup of strong coffee, chai latte, or even hot apple cider pairs beautifully with these rolls. Serving alongside fresh fruit or a simple yogurt parfait balances the spice and richness for a well-rounded breakfast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I’ve arranged these rolls in a wreath shape on a round baking dish, decorating the center with fresh cranberries and evergreen sprigs. It makes a stunning centerpiece and a conversation starter at brunch. You can also drizzle extra frosting over the top for an elegant, glossy finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I find they stay soft and flavorful that way, though refrigeration can work for up to 5 days if your kitchen is warm.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully — either before or after baking. I like to freeze them parbaked (about 10 minutes in the oven), then let thaw and finish baking on the day I want them. This way, they taste freshly baked even on a busy morning.

Reheating

To reheat, I microwave rolls for about 8-10 seconds for a quick warm-up or pop them in a 300ºF oven for 5-10 minutes to refresh that just-baked texture. Don’t forget to add frosting after reheating if you froze them unfrosted!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use instant yeast instead of dry active yeast?

Yes! Instant yeast can be substituted 1:1 in this recipe. You can mix it directly with the dry ingredients without proofing in water first, but if you prefer, activating it in warm water is fine too.

What if I don’t have unsulphered molasses?

Unsulphered molasses has a milder, less bitter taste compared to blackstrap molasses. If you only have blackstrap, use half the amount to avoid overpowering your rolls. Alternatively, you can substitute with dark corn syrup or honey, but the flavor will change slightly.

Can I make these rolls vegan?

Absolutely! Swap milk with your favorite plant-based milk, use vegan butter, and replace cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative. Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water) in place of the egg to keep the dough binding well.

How do I prevent the rolls from drying out?

Make sure to keep the rolls covered tightly after baking, as exposure to air causes drying. Storing in an airtight container and wrapping them well when freezing helps maintain moisture. Reheating gently also restores softness.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe has become my seasonal go-to not only because it tastes incredible, but because it fills my kitchen with those comforting holiday aromas and brings people together. If you’re looking to create something cozy and special, these rolls truly deliver. So bring out your rolling pin, warm your hands, and give this recipe a try—it feels like giving yourself a sweet gift made from scratch.