There’s something ridiculously comforting about waking up to warm, fluffy pancakes swirled with sticky cinnamon sugar, all draped in a luscious cream cheese glaze. The Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe is like the best of both worlds—morning breakfast meets your favorite cinnamon roll in one easy, sweet stack.

A stack of four thick, golden pancakes sits on a white plate, each layer separated by creamy, smooth off-white icing that drips slightly over the edges, creating a rich texture. On top, there is a spiral of amber-colored syrup swirling over the icing, adding a shiny contrast. A silver fork rests against the plate's edge on a blue and gray striped cloth, and the whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. 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

I can’t tell you how many times this recipe has saved my weekend mornings from being ordinary. These cinnamon roll pancakes bring a smile to the whole table — both kids and adults alike rave about them. Plus, they’re simpler to make than you'd think, which means more time to sip your coffee.

Effortless Cinnamon Swirl: Using a simple cinnamon sugar swirl baked right into each pancake adds flavor and beauty with minimal fuss.
Dreamy Cream Cheese Glaze: The tangy, sweet glaze puts these pancakes over the top and makes you feel a little extra special.
Fluffy, Tender Pancakes: The batter is perfectly balanced for fluffiness while still holding up around the cinnamon swirl.
Family-Friendly Favorite: This recipe hits that nostalgic note everyone loves but is easy enough for busy mornings or weekend treats.

Two thick, soft pancakes stacked on each other sit on a white plate. The pancakes are light golden yellow with a smooth texture and have a shiny, amber-colored syrup swirled on the top in a spiral pattern. A silver fork rests beside the pancakes on the plate. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with whipped cream. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here is chosen to give you that classic cinnamon roll flavor without any tricky steps. Using staples you probably already have, this recipe is about flavor balance and texture harmony, with some kitchen hacks to make the swirl perfect.

Flat lay of light brown sugar heaped in a small pile, sticks of unsalted butter both melted and solid, ground cinnamon sprinkled artfully, creamy dollops of smooth cream cheese, a mound of powdered sugar, fresh whole eggs with rich orange yolks visible through cracks, a neat stack of all-purpose flour, and a glass of whole milk partially filled, all beautifully arranged with soft natural light and warm tones, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level; melted butter in the swirl ensures a gooey, spreadable texture.
Light brown sugar: It brings a deep caramel note to that cinnamon swirl; packed tightly ensures the right sweetness and moisture.
Ground cinnamon: The star of the show—a fresh container makes all the difference for vibrant cinnamon flavor.
Cream cheese: Make sure it’s room temperature so your glaze comes out silky smooth with no lumps.
Powdered sugar: This dissolves effortlessly in the glaze for that heavenly smoothness and sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out all the flavors nicely.
All-purpose flour: The perfect base for fluffy pancakes with enough structure to hold the swirl.
Baking powder: Helps the pancakes rise and get that fluffy texture we all crave.
Granulated sugar: Just enough sweetness in the batter to complement the cinnamon-sugar swirl without overpowering.
Whole milk: Gives richness and tenderness to the pancakes; room temperature helps it blend better.
Eggs: They add structure and help the pancakes rise beautifully; room temp eggs blend more easily.
Canola or vegetable oil: For greasing your pan lightly to keep pancakes from sticking without overpowering 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

I love swapping up the cream cheese glaze with a quick maple syrup drizzle when I’m in a pinch, but the glaze really sets these apart. You can easily adjust the cinnamon swirl to be more or less gooey depending on your sugar-to-butter ratio, and that’s the beauty of this recipe—it’s forgiving and flexible.

Variation: Whenever I want a little extra punch, I add chopped pecans or walnuts inside the swirl—gives such a great crunch and a nutty twist.
Dairy-Free: Swap milk and butter for coconut milk and vegan butter alternatives–still delicious and creamy.
Seasonal Flair: Add a touch of nutmeg or a dash of cardamom to the cinnamon swirl to customize for fall mornings.
Quick Version: I sometimes skip the glaze and instead top with whipped cream and fresh berries for a lighter morning treat.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture

Start by mixing melted butter, packed brown sugar, and cinnamon until you get a thick, sticky spread. It’s super important to get it well combined so it pipes smoothly later. I like to transfer this into a pastry bag or a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off—this allows you to swirl it right on the batter in the pan without a mess.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze

Beat softened butter and cream cheese until perfectly smooth, then gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Cover it and set aside. If you have time, make this the day before to deepen the flavor—it only gets better!

Step 3: Mix the Pancake Batter

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a big bowl. Stir in your cooled melted butter, milk, and eggs gently until everything just comes together—don’t overmix or those pancakes will toughen up. A few lumps are okay!

Step 4: Cook and Swirl

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low with a touch of oil. Pour about ¼ cup of batter into the pan, then pipe on your cinnamon swirl right away in a circular motion. Here’s the trick: don’t flip these pancakes as the sugar can burn. Instead, lower the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. The pancakes will cook through in about 3 to 5 minutes, gently steaming and setting around the cinnamon swirl.

Step 5: Serve with Cream Cheese Glaze

Stack your pancakes high, drizzle generously with that glossy cream cheese glaze, and serve warm. I promise, every bite will make you swoon!

Top Tip

From my many attempts at this recipe, I’ve gathered these little pointers that make a big difference. These tips will help you nail the perfect cinnamon roll pancakes every time, no stress.

Consistent Swirling: Use a pastry bag or zip-top bag with a small cut corner for even cinnamon swirls; too large and it overspreads, too small and it’s frustrating to pipe.
Low and Slow Cooking: Keep the heat on low after swirling and cover the pan to avoid burnt sugar and ensure pancakes are cooked through.
Smooth Glaze Prep: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened for a lump-free glaze—patience here pays off big time.
Room-Temperature Ingredients: Using room temp milk and eggs helps the batter come together smoothly without overmixing, creating fluffier pancakes.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

cinnamon roll pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Fresh berries are my go-to to add a tart brightness that cuts through the sweetness, but sliced bananas or chopped nuts like pecans also bring a lovely texture contrast. Sometimes I dust a little extra cinnamon or powdered sugar on top for that extra pretty finish.

Side Dishes

I often serve these pancakes with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage to balance the richness. A side of Greek yogurt or a simple fruit salad brightens the plate and balances sweetness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack smaller pancakes and drizzle the glaze between each layer, making a mini-cake effect. Topping with edible flowers or a sprig of fresh mint really impresses guests and adds a fresh note.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let the pancakes cool completely, then stack them with parchment paper between each layer. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find this method keeps them moist and ready for a quick heat-up.

Freezing

Freeze leftover pancakes flat on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. This trick is a lifesaver for busy mornings—you’ll have cinnamon roll pancakes ready in a flash.

Reheating

Reheat frozen pancakes in a toaster oven or microwave between damp paper towels to keep them moist. Avoid high heat to prevent a tough texture — low and slow is the way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the cinnamon roll pancakes without a pastry bag?

Absolutely! If you don't have a pastry bag, a zip-top plastic bag with a tiny corner snipped off works perfectly and is a handy kitchen shortcut. Just make sure the hole is small enough to pipe a neat swirl.

Why shouldn’t I flip the pancakes?

Flipping the pancakes can cause the cinnamon sugar to burn or stick to the pan, resulting in bitter spots. Cooking them covered on low heat allows the heat to gently set the pancake through without disturbing the beautiful swirl.

Can I prepare the cream cheese glaze in advance?

Yes! You can make the cream cheese glaze up to a day ahead. Just keep it covered and refrigerated, then bring it to room temperature before drizzling over warm pancakes to get that perfect creamy consistency.

How do I store and reheat leftover cinnamon roll pancakes?

Store cooled pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a toaster oven or microwave with a damp paper towel to keep them moist and avoid drying out.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it turns an everyday breakfast into a comforting celebration. Its perfect blend of cinnamon sweetness and creamy glaze makes mornings feel like a treat, not a chore. Give this a try soon—I promise it’ll become one of those recipes you reach for again and again, just like I do.