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; 2 Tablespoons (30mL) unsulphered molasses; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 large egg; 2 and ¼ to 2 and ½ cups (270-300g) 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; 2 ounces (57g) full fat block cream cheese softened; 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter softened; ½ Tablespoon (15mL) unsulphered molasses; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¾ cups (90g) powdered sugar; pinch of salt

There’s something magical about the warm spices and molten cream cheese that just pulls you in—these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe have that cozy, festive charm you want year-round. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked on the perfect blend of gingerbread spice and cinnamon swirl.

The image shows a close-up of three soft cinnamon rolls placed together, each covered with a thick layer of light brown frosting that has a creamy and smooth texture with some swirls visible. The cinnamon rolls have a rich golden-brown color, with darker cinnamon spirals peeking through the frosting. A woman's hand gently holds the lowest cinnamon roll on the left side of the image. The rolls are sitting on crumpled parchment paper, and the background has a white marbled texture. A piece of red ribbon is partially visible near the bottom of the woman's hand 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

These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting are one of my all-time favorites for chilly mornings or holiday treats. The way the gingerbread spices mingle with gooey cinnamon sugar, all topped with silky molasses cream cheese frosting, is just irresistible—and making them yourself is much easier than you’d expect.

Cozy Spiced Flavor: The combo of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses fills your kitchen with those nostalgic seasonal aromas that warm the soul.
Soft, Fluffy Texture: Thanks to a tender dough enriched with butter and molasses, every bite melts tenderly in your mouth.
Rich Molasses Cream Cheese Frosting: It’s that tangy-sweet frosting that elevates these rolls to next-level indulgence, making them perfect for brunch or dessert.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the rolls ahead of time and bake fresh whenever you want—super convenient for busy mornings or holiday hosting.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe plays a star role—from the warm spices to the molasses that give that classic gingerbread depth and sweetness. I always recommend measuring flour properly (spoon and level, not scooping) to get the dough just right. Fresh cream cheese is key for smooth frosting!

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl with warm water, a few sprigs of fresh yeast granules beside it, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden unsulphered molasses, a neat pile of pale all purpose flour next to a stick of softened unsalted butter cut into chunks, a whole large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, another small white ceramic bowl containing light brown packed sugar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl holding melted unsalted butter, a block of creamy full fat cream cheese, and a pinch of salt on the 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: Activates the yeast gently, crucial for a fluffy rise.
Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds mild sweetness.
Dry Active Yeast: The magic behind that perfect dough rise and airy texture.
Milk: Adds tenderness and richness to the dough.
Unsulphured Molasses: Brings the beautiful gingerbread flavor without the bitterness of blackstrap.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg: The warm spice trio that defines gingerbread’s cozy personality.
Egg: Adds structure and richness.
All Purpose Flour: Forms the dough’s body—just the right protein content for soft rolls.
Unsalted Butter: For softness and that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Light Brown Sugar: The molasses in it adds moisture and deepens the filling flavor.
Powdered Sugar: For a silky-smooth cream cheese frosting.
Cream Cheese: Gives the frosting its tang and creamy texture.
Pinch of Salt (in frosting): Cuts through sweetness and enhances depth.

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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 to play around with the level of spice in this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe—sometimes I add a pinch of cloves or cardamom for extra warmth. Feel free to swap out the molasses for maple syrup in the filling if you want a twist, or make these rolls vegan-friendly by substituting butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Spice it up: I once added a sprinkle of ground cloves and it gave the rolls a beautiful, deeper aroma without overpowering.
Gluten-free option: I’ve tested a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with good success—just keep an eye on the dough texture as hydration may vary.
Dairy-free version: Swap butter and cream cheese for vegan alternatives to keep all the tasty indulgence without dairy.

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

The image shows a close-up of a cinnamon roll with a thick layer of light brown creamy frosting on top, which has a smooth texture with slight swirls. The roll itself has a golden-brown color with visible dark cinnamon swirls inside, creating a marbled effect. The cinnamon roll is partially torn into pieces, exposing its soft and fluffy inside with light and dark brown shades where cinnamon is concentrated. A silver fork holds a piece of the cinnamon roll, with some frosting on it. The roll is placed on a white plate with a slightly rough texture, sitting on a white marbled surface with blurred green foliage in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Activating Yeast and Mixing Dough

Start by mixing your warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Watch for that foamy, bubbly yeast activation—it means your dough’s going to rise beautifully. Once bubbly, add your milk, molasses, spices, salt, and egg then whisk it all together until smooth. Gradually stir in your flour—think of it like a hug for the wet ingredients. Add softened butter partway through mixing to get that tender crumb. My trick is to add flour little by little and stop as soon as the dough pulls away from the bowl but stays slightly tacky. It’s always better to add flour gradually than risk a dry dough.

Step 2: Knead and Rest the Dough

Flour your work surface lightly and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough feels silky and elastic like soft PlayDoh—I love this texture. It’s the key to rolls that bake fluffy and not dense. Give your dough a 10-minute rest; it makes rolling out much easier.

Step 3: Prepare Filling and Roll

Whisk together sugars and your aromatic spices for the filling. Roll out your dough patiently into a 9x12 inch rectangle—this takes some coaxing but no need to rush. Brush melted butter mixed with molasses over the dough, then sprinkle the sugar-spice filling generously but evenly. The sweet, spiced aroma at this point is one of my favorite parts.

Step 4: Roll up, Slice, and Rise

Roll your dough tightly from the long edge into a log, using your fingers to gently push the sides in and keep it neat. Cut into six slices with a serrated knife (spillovers only add charm!). Place them cut-side down into your greased pan, gather any filled sugar that escaped, and press them down gently so they fill the pan nicely. Cover loosely, then let them rise for about 1.5 hours until puffy and soft—this patience pays off every time.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Preheat your oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Bake the rolls for 28-32 minutes till they're golden and that cozy gingerbread smell fills your kitchen. If they’re browning too fast, just tent with foil. Let them cool for 15 minutes before frosting—that way the frosting melts just right without sliding off.

Step 6: Make and Spread the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened cream cheese and butter with molasses and cinnamon until smooth, then add powdered sugar and a pinch of salt. This frosting is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and I always find myself double-dipping my spoon here! Spread generously over the slightly warm rolls and get ready to indulge.

Top Tip

I’ve baked these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe many times, and a few simple tweaks made all the difference in my results. Here’s what I learned the hard way so you don’t have to:

Proper Yeast Activation: Always make sure your yeast mixture is bubbly and active before adding other ingredients; weak yeast = dense rolls.
Don’t Over-Flour: Knead gently and add flour one tablespoon at a time. Too much flour can dry your dough and toughen your rolls.
Roll Gently and Patiently: The dough is elastic but needs coaxing—rolling it slowly avoids tearing and keeps your filling in place.
Frost While Warm: Let rolls cool just enough (about 15 minutes) before frosting so it melts slightly but doesn’t slide off completely.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

gingerbread cinnamon rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to finish mine with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few crystallized ginger pieces when I want to impress guests. Toasted chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch, and sometimes I sprinkle just a dash of flaky sea salt on top of the frosting—trust me, it balances the sweetness beautifully.

Side Dishes

These rolls pair well with a simple cup of coffee or chai tea. For brunch, I often serve them alongside fresh fruit salad or scrambled eggs for a cozy sweet-savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these rolls in a wreath pattern on a round pan and sprinkled festive cranberries and orange zest over the frosting. It makes a stunning centerpiece and is perfect for holiday brunches or gift-giving in a pretty tin.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover rolls stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for about 5 days. I usually keep mine covered loosely with foil on the counter for the first day, then pop them in the fridge to prolong freshness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both baked and unbaked rolls with success. Baked rolls freeze best tightly wrapped and in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. For unbaked, parbaking for 10 minutes, cooling completely, then freezing works wonderfully. When ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge and bake the rest. This method keeps that just-baked softness I crave.

Reheating

To reheat, I zap individual rolls loosely covered with a damp paper towel in the microwave for 8-10 seconds—this revives softness perfectly without drying. Alternatively, I pop them in a preheated 350ºF oven for 5-7 minutes wrapped in foil for a gentle warm-up.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use instant yeast instead of dry active yeast?

Absolutely! Use the same amount of instant yeast. Since instant yeast doesn’t require proofing, you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients, but I still recommend mixing with warm water and sugar to ensure freshness.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! I’ve had good results using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Because gluten-free dough behaves differently, you might need to adjust the liquid slightly. I recommend checking the dough’s texture—you want it soft and pliable, not dry or crumbly.

What’s the best way to measure flour for this recipe?

The best way is to spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Avoid scooping the flour directly with the cup, which packs it too densely and leads to heavy dough.

Can I prepare the rolls in advance?

Yes! You can assemble the rolls and then refrigerate them covered overnight. When you’re ready to bake, let them come to room temperature and rise for about an hour before baking. It makes morning prep super easy!

Final Thoughts

Making this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate every time I bake it. Whether you’re sharing with family over weekend brunch or surprising guests during the holidays, these rolls deliver soulful flavor and a tender crumb that’s so worth the little effort. I can’t wait for you to try them—once you do, they’ll be a staple in your kitchen too. Happy baking!