Description
These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls bring all the cozy holiday flavors into one fluffy, spiced treat. Made with molasses, ginger, and cinnamon, they’re soft, sweet, and topped with a creamy vanilla glaze perfect for Christmas breakfast or a winter brunch.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
3 ¼ cups (410 g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
½ tsp salt
¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk (about 40°C / 105°F)
¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
¼ cup (80 g) molasses
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
🍯 For the Filling:
⅓ cup (75 g) brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
🍶 For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
115 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp butter, softened
¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp milk or cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, yeast, salt, and spices. In another bowl, mix warm milk, butter, molasses, and egg. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. First rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1–1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
3. Prepare filling: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
4. Shape the rolls: Roll dough into a rectangle (about 12×18 inches). Spread softened butter over it, then sprinkle evenly with the filling mixture. Roll up tightly from the long side and cut into 12 equal slices.
5. Second rise: Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
6. Bake: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake for 22–25 minutes, until golden brown and fluffy.
7. Make the glaze: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, mixing until creamy.
8. Serve: Spread glaze over warm rolls and enjoy that festive gingerbread aroma filling your kitchen!
Notes
For extra spice, increase cinnamon or ginger slightly.
You can make the dough a day ahead and let it rise overnight in the fridge.
Swap the glaze for a drizzle of maple icing for a twist.
These rolls taste amazing warm with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa!
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Holiday Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, Holiday Breakfast, Molasses Rolls, Christmas Baking, Spiced Rolls