Name: Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 1/2-5 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 envelopes (1/4 ounce each) quick-rising dry yeast; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup milk; 6 Tablespoons butter; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 4 Tablespoons butter, melted; 2 Tablespoons molasses; 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 4 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature; 1 cup confectioners’ sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 icing gingerbread people

If you’re craving a holiday twist on a classic treat, this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these rolls marry that cozy, spiced warmth of gingerbread with the soft, pillowy comfort of cinnamon rolls. Once you try them, you’ll see why they’ve become a favorite in my household every chilly season! Trust me, the combo of molasses, cinnamon, and hints of cloves and nutmeg elevates these rolls beyond your usual breakfast pastry.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deliciously Festive Flavors: The spiced gingerbread notes combined with cinnamon bring the perfect cozy vibe to your kitchen.
Soft and Gooey Texture: The dough stays tender and fluffy, with a gooey glaze that’s just irresistibly good.
Easy to Make Ahead: You can prep these a day in advance and bake fresh in the morning for a stress-free treat.
Fun for the Whole Family: Everyone gets excited seeing those little gingerbread people icing toppers—it’s such a cute touch!

A close-up of soft, swirled cinnamon rolls stacked tightly in a white baking dish, each roll covered with thick, creamy white icing that glistens smoothly on its light golden brown surface. On top of each roll sits a small, smiling gingerbread man cookie with different colored details like green bow ties or red bows, adding a playful and festive touch. The cinnamon layers inside the rolls are visible in shades of rich brown, contrasting with the creamy frosting and dough. The whole scene rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, gingerbread cinnamon rolls recipe, holiday cinnamon rolls, spiced cinnamon roll dough, festive breakfast treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together beautifully to create the ultimate gingerbread cinnamon rolls. The molasses and spices give that authentic gingerbread flair, while the yeast dough keeps things light and fluffy. When shopping, pick fresh spices for maximum flavor!

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a slab of pale yellow butter on a white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl of golden molasses, a small white ceramic bowl of packed light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with mixed ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg in separate neat piles, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of confectioners' sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, and a few small gingerbread men shaped cookies arranged evenly -- all 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 - Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, gingerbread cinnamon rolls recipe, holiday cinnamon rolls, spiced cinnamon roll dough, festive breakfast treats

All-purpose flour: Use fresh flour for the best rise and texture—make sure to measure it properly, spoon and level is my go-to to avoid dense dough.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while feeding the yeast for a good rise.
Quick-rising dry yeast: This is your best friend for a fast and fluffy dough. Check the expiration date for best results.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness.
Milk: Warm milk helps activate the yeast; be careful with the temperature (128-130°F) to avoid killing it.
Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough and filling. I recommend unsalted so you control the salt level.
Eggs: Lightly beaten, they add structure and tenderness.
Molasses: This gives the rolls their signature gingerbread depth—dark and robust.
Light brown sugar: Packed firmly for that caramel note in the filling.
Ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg: The spice blend that makes this recipe sing with holiday cheer!
Cream cheese: At room temperature for smooth, tangy glaze.
Confectioners’ sugar: For the sweet, silky icing.
Vanilla extract: Adds a lovely warmth to the glaze.
Icing gingerbread people: The adorable finishing touch to take these rolls from tasty to festive fun!

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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.

Variations

I love how easy it is to put your own spin on this Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. Whether you want to add a little fruitiness, extra spice, or keep it classic, there’s so much room to play around and make it your own.

Dried Cranberries: I sprinkle these into the brown sugar filling sometimes—my family loves the tart contrast and chewy texture it brings.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Adding these right to the dough is a total win if you’re a chocolate lover like me; they melt into little pockets of happiness after baking.
Crystallized Ginger: Finely chopped and mixed into the filling, this adds a fresh ginger zing that’s a nice twist on the classic spices.
Dairy-Free: Swap butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives to make it vegan-friendly without sacrificing flavor.

How to Make Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Knead Your Dough

Start by combining 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Now, here’s a trick I learned the hard way—get your milk and butter mixture warmed just right (between 128°F and 130°F) to activate that yeast perfectly without killing it. Microwave the milk and butter until the butter melts and the mixture feels very warm to the touch. Pour this into your flour mixture, stir, then add the eggs. Keep adding flour bit by bit until your dough comes together but still stays soft. Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. I find a good stretch test helps—if it can stretch without tearing, you’re good!

Step 2: Roll Out and Spread the Filling

Roll the dough out into a 20 x 16-inch rectangle—that’s a nice big surface to layer on all that gingerbread goodness. Brush the dough evenly with the melted butter and molasses mixture. Then combine your brown sugar and spices—cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg—and sprinkle it generously over the buttered dough. Don’t be shy; this filling is where the magic happens. I like to press the sugar-spice mixture lightly so it sticks better before rolling.

Step 3: Roll, Slice, and Let Rise

Starting at the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal it so nothing oozes out during baking. Then slice your roll into 12 even pieces—that’s your perfect portion for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!). Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish and arrange the rolls cut-side up in the pan. Cover and let them rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until doubled in size. This rising time is when you’ll see the dough turn beautifully fluffy, so try not to rush it.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden

While your rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 350°F. When they’ve puffed up nicely, bake for 25 minutes or until the tops turn a lovely golden brown. The smell here is incredible—if your kitchen’s anything like mine, people will start hovering before the rolls even come out of the oven.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze and Decorate

While the rolls bake, beat together cream cheese and butter until nice and smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until your glaze is silky and spreadable. As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, spread that luscious glaze over them while they’re still warm so it melts into every crevice. Then top with your icing gingerbread people for that festive, charming look that always gets compliments!

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Pro Tips for Making Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Perfect Milk Temperature: I use a kitchen thermometer because overheating milk kills yeast, which ruins the rise—aim for warm but not hot (128-130°F).
Don’t Over-flour: Add flour gradually when kneading; too much makes dense rolls. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Tight Rolling Matters: Rolling your dough tightly ensures rolls hold their swirl shape and don’t fall apart during baking.
Warm Rising Spot: I put the covered dish on top of my fridge or in a turned-off oven with just the light on to keep dough warm and encourage good rising.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I always go for the classic cream cheese glaze topped with those charming icing gingerbread people. If I’m feeling festive, a light dusting of cinnamon sugar or even a drizzle of extra molasses glaze works wonders. For a little crunch, sometimes I sprinkle chopped pecans over the glaze, which adds a nice texture contrast.

Side Dishes

These rolls are a showstopper on their own, but serving alongside a bowl of fresh fruit like sliced oranges or berries balances the richness nicely. Coffee or spiced chai is my go-to drink pairing to complement all those ginger and cinnamon notes perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to bake these rolls in a festive bundt pan to make a cinnamon roll wreath. Another favorite trick is to place them in individual mini cupcake tins for cute single servings. No matter how you serve them, adding a little extra cinnamon stick or fresh rosemary on the platter amps up the presentation for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover rolls tightly covered at room temperature for up to two days, but storing them in an airtight container in the fridge extends freshness to around four days. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best texture.

Freezing

Freezing works great! I like to freeze the baked rolls individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe bag. They stay fresh for about 2-3 months. You can also freeze unbaked, risen rolls covered tightly, then bake fresh when you’re ready—just give them more time to thaw and rise again.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or warm them in a 300°F oven covered loosely with foil for 10 minutes. Topping with a little extra cream cheese glaze freshens them right up. To keep them soft, avoid overheating which can dry out the rolls.

FAQs

Can I use regular active dry yeast instead of quick-rising yeast?

Yes, you can substitute active dry yeast, but the rising time will be longer—expect to let the dough rise 1.5 to 2 hours instead of 1 hour. Keep an eye on the dough rather than the clock to ensure it doubles in size.
What if I don’t have molasses—can I skip it or replace it?

Molasses is key for that authentic gingerbread flavor, but if you don’t have any, you can substitute it with an equal amount of dark corn syrup or honey. The flavor will be a little different, but still delicious.
Can I prepare these rolls vegan-friendly?

Absolutely! Use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, almond or soy milk, and an egg replacer such as flax eggs or applesauce. The texture might vary slightly, but the flavor remains fantastic.
Why do my cinnamon rolls sometimes turn out dense?

Dense rolls usually mean too much flour during kneading, or the dough didn’t rise enough. Measure your flour carefully and make sure to let the dough double in a warm spot. Also, avoid killing the yeast with too hot liquids.
Can I make the rolls gluten-free?

Switching to gluten-free flour requires a specially formulated blend with xanthan gum or similar for structure. It’s doable but testing and adjusting liquids and rising times might be necessary to get the best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s perfect for bringing warmth and joy to any cold morning or holiday celebration. Every batch I’ve made has been greeted with big smiles and eager forks diving right in. If you want to impress your family or treat yourself with a fresh take on cinnamon rolls, give this recipe a try—I promise it’s an experience you won’t forget. Plus, the little gingerbread people icing toppers are just too cute to resist, adding a sprinkle of fun to every bite. Happy baking!