Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Special Christmas breakfast recipes

I love breakfast on Christmas morning! And I always have a special treat for everyone to indulge in that sets this holiday morning apart from all the others. Usually it is something sweet like these Christmas Cinnamon Rolls or maybe just an extra special French Toast or quiche. We've been doing this for as many years as I can remember and everyone looks forward to this time of quiet before the frenzy of unwrapping begins.

Some of my favorites are Cinnamon Roll French Toast, Chocolate Belgian Waffles, and Maple Pecan Sticky Buns.

Why you'll love this recipe

These gingerbread spice cinnamon rolls are a holiday season twist on a classic favorite, with rich flavors and a soft, fluffy texture that make every bite feel special. Here’s what makes them a must-bake:

Irresistibly Soft Rolls: Made with rich, buttery sweet dough, these rolls are soft, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Classic Gingerbread Flavor: The gingerbread spice blend with molasses adds a seasonal twist, making these perfect for holiday mornings or anytime you want those warm flavors.

Cream Cheese Frosting Heaven: Creamy, slightly tangy frosting that melts into the warm rolls… it’s everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls with a little holiday magic.

Make-Ahead Option: With an easy overnight variation, you can make these the night before and have fresh homemade gingerbread cinnamon rolls in the morning!

Ingredients

For these gingerbread cinnamon rolls, each ingredient brings something special to the mix. Here’s what you'll need for the sweet bread and gingerbread filling:

Sweet Bread Dough: The base of these rolls is made with milk, butter, flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and an egg yolk. Together, they create a dough that’s light and fluffy with a soft, tender crumb that complements the spiced filling.

Gingerbread Filling: Brown sugar, butter, molasses, and warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves make this filling a spiced, sweet addition that really sets the stage for Christmas.

For the cream cheese frosting:

Cream Cheese Frosting: This dreamy frosting combines cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It’s light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet.

How to make gingerbread cinnamon rolls

Don't stress! This may look like a lot of steps but they are each simple in their own right. Don't be afraid to tackle these gingerbread cinnamon rolls as they are much easier than they look. Now take a look and you'll find that this is the easiest sweet bread dough you've ever made.

1. Place bread flour, sugar, rapid rise yeast and salt in a large mixing bowl of an electric mixer. Stir.
2. Warm milk and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave to a temperature between 125°F-130°F. It usually takes 1 to 1-½ minutes. Add to dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are moistened. NOTE: If it reaches a higher temperature just let it cool slightly. Too hot will kill the yeast and too cool won't activate it. Using a digital thermometer can take all the guess work out.
3. Add egg yolk and stir.
4. Knead in the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for 2-4 minutes at medium speed (speed 2 on a KitchenAid) or until dough become smooth and elastic and forms a ball. The dough will begin to pull away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough feels sticky to the touch after 2 minutes, add more flour slowly, up to ¼ cup, and continue kneading for another minute. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

While the dough is resting prepare the gingerbread filling.

5. In a small bowl, combine molasses, brown sugar and spices.
6. Add softened butter and mix until it forms a smooth paste.

Now to assemble these sweet cinnamon rolls and dress them up for Christmas.

7. Using a rolling pin, roll the bread dough on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about 15"x10".
8. Spread the filling over the dough all the way to the edges.
9. Starting on the long edge, roll the dough up tightly.
10. Using a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
11. Place the slices, cut sides up in a 13x9" greased pan. You can also place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom to help with cleanup if some of the filling overflows.
12. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in volume and the top does not spring back but leaves a slight indent when lightly touched. It usually takes about 2 hours.

13. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top. When done, remove from oven to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes.

Here's how to finish these sweet Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls up for that Christmassy Cinnabon treat everyone loves.

For the cream cheese frosting:

14. Place room temperature cream cheese and butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
15. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

To finish:

16. Frost the gingerbread cinnamon rolls while still warm.

These Christmas-filled Cinnamon Rolls are best enjoyed straight from the oven with the frosting melting into the warm rolls. Great for a Christmas morning treat or really any time you want a little extra sweetness in your life.

Recipe tips for success

Dough Consistency: If the dough feels sticky after kneading, add a little extra flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s easier to handle.

Cutting Clean Rolls: Use a sharp knife to slice the rolls neatly and evenly.

Warm Place for Rising: Let the rolls rise in a warm spot in your kitchen. This can help speed up the process, especially in colder weather.

Recipe variation - Overnight option

Want fresh sweet rolls first thing in the morning? Prepare the rolls as directed up to the point of slicing and arranging in the pan. Instead of letting them rise, cover them tightly with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge overnight.

In the morning, take them out and let them sit at room temperature for about an hour to complete their rise. Then, bake, frost, and enjoy the freshest cinnamon rolls without the early-morning prep!

How to store and freeze

To store these rolls, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm them slightly before serving to bring back that fresh-baked softness.

For freezing, wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. To enjoy later, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.