Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are the holiday breakfast you didn’t know you needed. The rich flavor of molasses, paired with warm spices and a melt-in-your-mouth frosting, makes every bite unforgettable. They’re perfect for Christmas morning, winter brunches, or anytime you’re craving something cozy and special.

There’s something magical about cinnamon rolls—they’re a comforting classic that never goes out of style. But when the holiday season rolls around, I love giving them a festive twist, and that’s how these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls came to be. With the warm flavors of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these rolls feel like the perfect blend of breakfast indulgence and seasonal cheer. And let’s not forget the Spiced Brown Butter Frosting that takes everything to the next level.

You might remember that a while back I made some Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls for fall. Those were my favorite way to make cinnamon rolls… until today.

You know that I’m a huge fan of all-things-pumpkin. Yes, yes, I’m one of those pumpkin-spice-everything lovers. However, as my tastes evolve and change, I’m becoming an even bigger fan of the seasonal flavors of Christmas. To be honest, a lot of the spices used are the same, but there’s something about that rich, deep flavor of molasses that just takes these cinnamon rolls to the next level.

Oh, and the spiced brown butter frosting is off-the-chain delicious. I need to make more things with brown butter. It’s just so good and so easy to make.

If you make these for Christmas morning or anytime during the holiday/winter season, you are going to be the queen or king of the morning! I promise!

Let’s whip up a batch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls take the classic breakfast treat to a whole new level with the addition of warm, seasonal spices and a hint of molasses. The result is a perfectly soft and fluffy roll that feels like a cozy hug on a chilly morning.
• The Spiced Brown Butter Frosting is a showstopper. Rich, nutty, and perfectly spiced, this creamy topping melts into the warm rolls, creating an irresistible combination of flavors. It’s the kind of frosting that makes you wonder why you haven’t been using brown butter in everything.
• This recipe strikes the perfect balance between indulgent and approachable. The steps are straightforward and easy to follow, even if you’re new to working with yeast dough. You’ll feel like a baking pro when you see these beautiful rolls come out of the oven.
• These cinnamon rolls are more than just breakfast; they’re a holiday moment. Whether you’re serving them on Christmas morning or for a winter brunch, they’re guaranteed to impress. The festive flavors and inviting aroma will make your kitchen the coziest place to be.

Love gingerbread? Me too! Want more recipes? You’ve got it! Check out this collection of my best gingerbread recipes for the holiday season!

Ingredients

Before we can get to baking, let’s gather up everything we’ll need to make these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls.

• Granulated Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough while helping to activate the yeast for that perfect fluffy rise.
• Dry Active Yeast – The key ingredient that makes the dough rise, giving your rolls their soft, pillowy texture.
• Ground Cinnamon – A classic warm spice that’s the star of the cinnamon roll filling and adds a cozy touch to the dough and frosting.
• Ground Ginger – Provides a gentle kick of warmth and spice, complementing the molasses and other seasonings beautifully.
• Kosher Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors throughout the rolls and frosting.
• Ground Cloves – A bold spice that deepens the flavor profile and brings out the rich, festive gingerbread taste.
• All-Purpose Flour – The base of the dough, providing structure while keeping the rolls tender and fluffy.
• Whole Milk – Adds richness and moisture to the dough, creating a soft and supple texture.
• Unsalted Butter – Used in the dough, filling, and frosting, it adds richness and buttery goodness to every bite.
• Egg – Gives the dough structure and helps create a tender, enriched texture.
• Molasses – The defining flavor of gingerbread, bringing a deep, rich sweetness to the rolls and filling.
• Light Brown Sugar – Adds a caramel-like sweetness to the filling and enhances the spiced flavor.
• Cream Cheese – The base of the frosting, lending a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the rolls.
• Powdered Sugar – Used in the frosting to create a smooth, sweet, and spreadable topping.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds a subtle, warm sweetness to the frosting, tying all the flavors together.

How to Make

Okay, we’re ready to make and bake these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls. Let’s get to it! I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. To make the dough, begin by whisking together the sugar, yeast, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and 1 3/4 cups flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. I’ve provided all of the ingredient amounts and detailed recipe instructions in the printable recipe card below.
2. Then, in a small saucepan combine the milk and butter and cook over low heat until the butter has melted and the temperature reaches between 105 degrees F and 110 degrees F.

3. Add the milk mixture, egg, and molasses to the flour mixture. Beat with the dough hook on low until moistened. Continue beating, gradually adding the remaining 1 3/4 cups flour. If the dough seems too sticky add another 1/4 cup flour. Beat for about 4 to 5 minutes or until dough ball begins to form.

4. Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered mixing bowl, cover with a towel, and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour. The dough should double in size.
5. In the meantime, prepare the filling. In one bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together the butter, molasses, and kosher salt. Set aside.
6. Next, butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12 x 16 rectangle. Spread the molasses butter over the dough. (I love using an offset spatula for this; it’s one of my favorite kitchen tools.)

8. Then, sprinkle evenly with the sugar mixture. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log. Trim off the ends, then cut into 12 pieces. Place the pieces into the buttered dish cut side up. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size: about one hour.

9. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for about 25 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned.
10. Next, make your Spiced Brown Butter Frosting. In a small saucepan melt the butter over low until the butter turns a light brown color and smells nutty. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. In a medium bowl, beat together the cooled browned butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. If your frosting is too thick, add splash of milk. If your frosting’s too thin, add a touch more confectioners’ sugar.

10. And finally, spread that delicious frosting over the warm rolls and serve.

Voila! Your Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are ready!

The heat from the rolls makes the frosting melt a bit and thus it seeps into all of the little crevices of the roll making for such a delectable treat. And don’t worry, you’ll have extra frosting should you prefer more on your cinnamon rolls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is brown butter, and why is it used in the frosting?

Brown butter is simply butter that’s been cooked until the milk solids toast, giving it a rich, nutty flavor. It adds a depth of flavor to the frosting that pairs perfectly with the spiced rolls, making the final result truly special.

How do I know when my dough has risen enough?

The dough should double in size during the rise. A quick test is to gently press two fingers into the dough; if the indentation remains, the dough is ready. If it springs back, give it a little more time.

Can I substitute any of the spices?

Yes! Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste. Nutmeg or allspice could be great additions or substitutions. However, keeping the molasses is essential to maintain the gingerbread flavor.

Why does the milk need to be a specific temperature?

The milk should be between 105°F and 110°F to activate the yeast. If it’s too cool, the yeast won’t work, and if it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast. Using the right temperature ensures a perfect rise for your dough.

More Gingerbread Recipes You’ll Love

• Classic Gingerbread Cookies
• Gingerbread Chex Mix
• Gingerbread House Gingerbread Cakes
• Gingerbread Tree Cake
• Gingerbread Cake with Crumb Topping
• Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail

Well, that is it my friends! Your Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are complete! Serve them up with a cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate holiday and winter breakfast/treat! I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you try this, I’d love to hear how it went and how you like the recipe. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are getting a festive upgrade. These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, complete with Spiced Brown Butter Frosting, are a must-make, holiday breakfast treat. If you thought regular cinnamon rolls were good, just wait until you try these!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Bread, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, cinnamon rolls, gingerbread, holiday

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Rising Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 532kcal

Video

Ingredients

Dough:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon dry active yeast
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour divided
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened (plus more for the bowl)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons molasses

Gingerbread and Sugar Filling:

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• 1 stick unsalted butter softened
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Spiced Brown Butter Frosting:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch ground cloves

Instructions

• To make the dough, begin by whisking together the sugar, yeast, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and 1 3/4 cups flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment.
• Then, in a small saucepan combine the milk and butter and cook over low heat until the butter has melted and the temperature reaches between 105 degrees F and 110 degrees F.
• Add the milk mixture, egg, and molasses to the flour mixture. Beat with the dough hook on low until moistened. Continue beating gradually adding the remaining 1 3/4 cups flour. If the dough seems too sticky, add another 1/4 cup flour. Beat for about 4 to 5 minutes or until dough ball begins to form.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered mixing bowl, cover the bowl with a towel, and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour. The dough should double in size.
• In the meantime, prepare the filling. In one bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together the butter, molasses, and kosher salt. Set aside.
• Next, butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12 x 16 rectangle. Spread the molasses butter over the dough. Then sprinkle evenly with the sugar mixture. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log. Trim off the ends, then cut into 12 pieces. Place the pieces into the buttered dish cut side up. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size: about one hour.
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for about 25 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned.
• Finally, make your Spiced Brown Butter Frosting. In a small saucepan melt the butter over low until the butter turns a light brown color and smells nutty. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. In a medium bowl, beat together the cooled browned butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. If your frosting is too thick, add splash of milk. If your frosting’s too thin, add a touch more confectioners’ sugar.
• Spread the frosting over the warm rolls and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 532kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 345mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 831IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2mg