Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

There’s something magical about waking up on Christmas morning to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the house. These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are warm, soft, fluffy, and filled with buttery cinnamon-sugar swirls that melt in your mouth. Topped with a rich, velvety cream cheese glaze, they’re the epitome of cozy holiday indulgence.

This recipe is designed to make your Christmas morning extra special — it’s festive, comforting, and perfect for sharing with loved ones over hot cocoa or coffee by the tree. Whether you prepare them fresh or make them ahead for a stress-free breakfast, these rolls will be a treasured holiday tradition in your home.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it brings together everything I adore about Christmas mornings — warmth, sweetness, comfort, and togetherness. The rolls are pillowy-soft, buttery, and perfectly spiced, with a tangy cream cheese glaze that adds the right amount of richness.

What I truly love is how versatile and forgiving this recipe is — you can prepare the dough the night before, let it rise in the fridge, and simply bake it fresh in the morning. The aroma of cinnamon, butter, and sugar filling the house is enough to make anyone smile before the first bite even happens.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This is a must-try holiday dish because it’s the ultimate festive breakfast treat. It captures the spirit of Christmas — indulgent, heartwarming, and joy-filled. Unlike store-bought rolls, homemade cinnamon rolls have that soft, tender texture and fresh flavor that makes every bite special.

Plus, they’re not just food — they’re an experience. Rolling the dough, spreading the filling, and watching the golden spirals bake to perfection is an activity that brings family together in the kitchen.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Dough Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (or overnight in refrigerator)
• Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes

Servings and Nutrition

• Servings: 12 cinnamon rolls
• Calories: ~370 kcal per roll (with glaze)
• Course: Breakfast / Brunch / Dessert
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 – 4½ cups all-purpose flour (as needed for soft dough)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, for a Christmas touch)

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)

Cooking Directions

1. Activate the Yeast:
   Warm the milk until it’s just lukewarm, then stir in yeast and sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make the Dough:
   In a large bowl, combine melted butter, eggs, and salt. Add the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead and Rise:
   Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1½ hours or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare the Filling:
   Mix softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl until combined.
5. Roll Out the Dough:
   Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large rectangle (about 16x12 inches).
6. Spread and Roll:
   Evenly spread the cinnamon filling over the dough. Starting from the long side, roll tightly into a log.
7. Cut Rolls:
   Slice the log into 12 even pieces and arrange them in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
8. Second Rise:
   Cover and let rise again for about 30–45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
9. Bake:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Make the Glaze:
    Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until creamy.
11. Glaze and Serve:
    Spread the warm rolls generously with cream cheese glaze. Serve immediately!

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Activate yeast in warm milk and sugar.
2. Mix dough ingredients and knead until smooth.
3. Let dough rise until doubled in size.
4. Prepare filling with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
5. Roll dough into a rectangle and spread filling evenly.
6. Roll into log and cut into 12 rolls.
7. Arrange in baking dish and allow second rise.
8. Bake at 350°F until golden brown.
9. Prepare glaze while rolls bake.
10. Spread glaze over warm rolls and enjoy immediately.

How to Serve

Serve these Christmas Cinnamon Rolls warm, right out of the oven, when the glaze is slightly melted into the spirals. They pair beautifully with:

• A cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or eggnog
• Fresh fruit or berries on the side
• A sprinkle of extra cinnamon or powdered sugar for a festive touch

For Christmas morning, serve them on a decorated platter with holly sprigs for an extra seasonal look.

Recipe Tips

• Use room temperature ingredients for the dough to rise properly.
• Don’t overheat the milk — hot milk can kill the yeast.
• Make-ahead option: Prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning.
• For extra gooey rolls, pour a few tablespoons of heavy cream over the rolls before baking.
• Use bread flour for slightly chewier, bakery-style rolls.

Variations

1. Pecan Cinnamon Rolls: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for crunch.
2. Apple Cinnamon Rolls: Add finely diced apples or apple pie filling before rolling.
3. Orange Christmas Rolls: Add orange zest to the filling and glaze for a citrusy holiday twist.
4. Gingerbread Rolls: Add 1 teaspoon ground ginger and ¼ cup molasses to the dough for a festive gingerbread flavor.
5. Caramel Rolls: Top baked rolls with warm caramel sauce and toasted pecans.

Freezing and Storage Time

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 20 seconds before serving.
• Freezing (Unbaked): Freeze shaped rolls before second rise for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, let rise, and bake as directed.
• Freezing (Baked): Freeze baked rolls (without glaze) for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 15–20 minutes, then glaze.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Electric mixer or hand whisk
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Conclusion

Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze are a holiday masterpiece — golden, fluffy, and bursting with sweet cinnamon warmth. The rich cream cheese glaze melts over each swirl, creating a decadent treat that captures the essence of Christmas joy.

Whether you’re serving them as the centerpiece of your Christmas morning breakfast or as a comforting dessert on a cozy winter night, these rolls bring pure happiness to every bite.