Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Introduction

Nothing says Christmas morning quite like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the kitchen. These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are warm, fluffy, and swirled with buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, then topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze that melts right into the rolls. Soft, gooey, and irresistibly festive, these rolls are a comforting holiday tradition you’ll want to make year after year.

You can make them the night before, let them rise overnight, and simply pop them in the oven on Christmas morning for an effortless yet indulgent breakfast. Pair them with a mug of hot cocoa or coffee, and you’ve got holiday magic on a plate.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it turns an ordinary breakfast pastry into a holiday centerpiece. The rolls are incredibly soft, with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. The cream cheese glaze takes them over the top — rich, tangy, and smooth. Plus, the process of making and baking these cinnamon rolls feels festive and cozy, perfect for a family baking tradition.

It’s also customizable — you can add nuts, dried fruits, or even a little eggnog to the glaze for a seasonal twist.

Why This is a Must-Try Dish

• Perfect for Christmas morning — festive, warm, and comforting.
• Soft, gooey, bakery-style rolls at home.
• Make-ahead friendly — assemble the night before and bake fresh.
• Customizable flavors — adapt fillings and toppings to your holiday taste.
• Crowd-pleasing — kids and adults love them alike.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes (plus 1.5 hours rising)
• Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Servings: 12 rolls
• Calories per Serving: ~350 kcal

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: American-inspired holiday baking
• Course: Breakfast / Brunch / Dessert

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk (to thin, as needed)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Make dough, knead, and let rise.
2. Roll out dough and spread with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Roll up, slice into rolls, and let rise again.
4. Bake until golden brown.
5. Make cream cheese glaze and drizzle over warm rolls.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Warm milk and stir in yeast with 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, mix butter, remaining sugar, eggs, and salt. Add yeast mixture.
3. Stir in flour gradually, forming a soft dough.
4. Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours, until doubled.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.
2. Have softened butter ready for spreading.

Step 3: Assemble the Rolls

1. Roll out dough into a large rectangle (about 16×12 inches).
2. Spread butter evenly over dough.
3. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly.
4. Roll dough tightly into a log, seam-side down.
5. Slice into 12 equal rolls and place in a greased baking dish.
6. Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.

Step 4: Bake the Rolls

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.

Step 5: Make the Glaze

1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
3. Mix in milk until creamy and pourable.

Step 6: Glaze and Serve

• Spread cream cheese glaze generously over warm rolls.

How to Serve

Serve warm, right out of the oven, topped with cream cheese glaze. Pair with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for the perfect Christmas breakfast. For added holiday flair, sprinkle with crushed candy canes, red and green sprinkles, or a dusting of cinnamon sugar.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smooth mixing.
• Slice rolls evenly for consistent baking.
• If making overnight, refrigerate assembled rolls and bake fresh in the morning.
• Let rolls cool slightly before glazing so it melts just enough but doesn’t slide off completely.

Variations

• Pecan Cinnamon Rolls – add chopped pecans to the filling.
• Cranberry-Orange Rolls – add dried cranberries and orange zest to filling.
• Eggnog Glaze – swap milk with eggnog in glaze.
• Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls – add nutmeg, ginger, and molasses for a holiday twist.

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated up to 5 days. Reheat gently before serving.
• Freezing (unbaked): Assemble rolls, freeze on tray, then store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight, rise, and bake.
• Freezing (baked): Freeze baked rolls without glaze for up to 1 month. Reheat and glaze before serving.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Stand mixer (optional, for kneading)
• Sharp knife or dental floss (for slicing rolls cleanly)

Conclusion

These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are the ultimate holiday treat — warm, gooey, sweet, and festive. They make the perfect centerpiece for Christmas morning breakfast, filling the house with cozy aromas and holiday cheer. With easy make-ahead options and endless variations, this recipe will quickly become a family tradition you’ll look forward to every holiday season.

Print Recipe

Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Breakfast, Deserts

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 25 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 55 mins

Servings: 12 Calories: 350 kcal

Description

Nothing says Christmas morning quite like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the kitchen. These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are warm, fluffy, and swirled with buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, then topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze that melts right into the rolls.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp)
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp 2–3 milk (to thin, as needed)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Dough : Warm milk and stir in yeast with 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix butter, remaining sugar, eggs, and salt. Add yeast mixture. Stir in flour gradually, forming a soft dough. Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours, until doubled.
2. Step 2: Make the Filling : Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Have softened butter ready for spreading.
3. Step 3: Assemble the Rolls : Roll out dough into a large rectangle (about 16x12 inches). Spread butter evenly over dough. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly. Roll dough tightly into a log, seam-side down. Slice into 12 equal rolls and place in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
4. Step 4: Bake the Rolls : Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Step 5: Make the Glaze : Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix in milk until creamy and pourable.
6. Step 6: Glaze and Serve : Spread cream cheese glaze generously over warm rolls.

Keywords: Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze