These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are not your typical, traditional rolls. The gingerbread spices add great flavor to every sweet bite and the maple cream cheese frosting is beyond amazing! You’re sure to say, “Ho Ho Hoooo”! This recipe comes together in a little over an hour and its complex flavor and simple steps, makes it one of the best sweet treats to enjoy this holiday season! Overnight option.
These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls + Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are so festive and really put me in the Jolly spirit for the Holidays.
With Christmas fast approaching, I’ve been extremely busy with work, Christmas shopping, curating recipes, blog goals, my little guy, household duties, and so much more!
It’s definitely one of the busiest times of the year! I’m sure that you can relate, too! Right?
More recently, I’ve decided that I wanted to make cinnamon rolls again because it’s such a great comfort dessert!
I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a nice, warm cinnamon roll fresh out the oven!? Haha. Anyway, I didn’t want to do the classic cinnamon rolls because it wouldn’t really give off a holiday season feel, so I thought about doing something a bit more creative!
Granted, there are a few Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll recipes already out there, BUT this recipe showcases some really bold flavors that are TOO amazing not to try! Maple Cream Cheese frosting? Need I say more?
The best thing about it—-it’s not as hard as you may think it is to make!
The “rising” time takes the longest, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up using that time to get other things done OR maybe watch your favorite show, etc.
Multi-tasking much? Yup.
OK, so if you’re still not entirely sold on these cinnamon rolls, then let me tell you what’s so great about them. They are SOFT, FLUFFY, + BRIOCHE-LIKE in texture. Yup. I love making my cinnamon rolls more brioche-like. Who doesn’t love the extra ‘pillowy-ness’ of it all? I totally made up that word. Haha.
Seriously, there’s something about Gingerbread + Spices that create a real comfort and warmth for the Holidays. Don’t believe me? You have to try this Vegan Gingerbread Cake + Chai Buttercream or these Vegan Gingerbread Donuts + Chai Glaze. SO Good!
Of course, I more Gingerbread recipes coming this Holiday season and to keep up, simply search our site for ‘Gingerbread’.
Once the dough doubles in size, the remaining steps are pretty easy! Just roll it out, sprinkle, roll it up, and cut! Wallah!
OK, so if you aren’t aware, there are two types of Molasses—-regular and blackstrap.
While most people use regular molasses which is literally ‘bittersweet’, I tend to use blackstrap molasses in all of my recipes as a way to cut back on the sugar content.
Blackstrap is hardly used by many due to it’s bitterness and ‘heaviness’ when use din baking since it can make the texture of your baked goods more thick and dense if not used correctly.
That’s why I use only HALF THE AMOUNT of molasses that a recipe might otherwise require. That way, I get the darker color (not too dark) without compromising the texture or taste. Don’t worry—I make a not of this in the recipe below as well.
But did you know that Blackstrap Molasses actually has more nutritional value? Yup.
It actually contains vital vitamins and minerals such as: iron, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and Selenium. In addition, it is considered a superfood.
Lover of Cinnamon Rolls? Be sure to check out the latest dairy-free Cinnamon Roll recipe on Orchids + Sweet Tea: Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls.
Simply beat the cream cheese, butter, and maple syrup together on medium speed in an electric mixer until well incorporated.
Next add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and mix until nice and creamy! Enjoy!
OK, so if I’m honest, the greatest challenge with making these cinnamon rolls is the addition of molasses. To be transparent, molasses can be very ‘drying’ which in turn creates a drier than usual dough for your cinnamon rolls. In most cases, recipe developers avoid adding it to the dough but rather create the ‘gingerbread feel’ in the filling along with the brown sugar + spices.
However, I just LOVE the brown look of gingerbread cinnamon rolls and wanted to keep things traditional in that sense. The trick to making your dough less dry is by reducing the amount of molasses to a perfect amount + subbing the bread flour with bread flour (because it has a higher hydration capacity = super soft + moist rolls)—you’ll see the exact measurement in the recipe itself. THE BIG SECRET!
These Delicious Homemade Classic Cinnamon Rolls are the best thing you’ll ever taste–seriously! Big, fluffy, tender, and smothered in a rich, but light cream cheese frosting, these cinnamon rolls are sure to win over any sweet tooth.
If you’re a lover of Fall spices and sweet flavor, then these Homemade Pumpkin Chai Cinnamon Rolls are the best thing you’ll ever taste–seriously! Thick, fluffy, tender, brioche-like rolls that come completely smothered in a rich, but light chai spice cream cheese glaze. Hands down——these cinnamon rolls are sure to be the newest Fall craze! Overnight + Vegan options available.
These Vegan Chai Tea Latte Cinnamon Rolls are something right on point for the Fall/Winter season. They are fluffy, soft, thick, sweet, and surely does just melt in your mouth with every bite. Not being your typical Cinnamon Roll, this recipe is topped with a mouth-watering Black Tea-infused Chai Tea glaze that will leave you ‘Cinnamon Roll obsessed’. Definitely not your average vegan sweet treat, but 100% homemade and filled with pure goodness! Overnight option available.
These Perfect Apple Streusel Cinnamon Rolls are not your traditional cinnamon roll at all. These rolls come loaded with apple + pecan bits and topped heavily with a brown sugar and pecan crunch crumble. Every bite will have you feeling like you’re eating a warm slice of Grandma’s apple pie. There’s really no other way to eat a cinnamon roll after finding this recipe.
But before we head over to the full recipe, here are a few tips that I’ve learned along the way to ensure that I make the perfect Cinnamon Rolls:
This one is super, super imperative. You have to always make sure that your milk is warm to the touch and not even a degree hot. Even if you heat your milk and it’s hot, simply let it cool until it feels warm. This ensure that you don’t kill the yeast and your dough rise to a nicely big fluff.
This is the ultimate secret to tender cinnamon rolls. Much like with other cakes and doughs, room temperature butter creates a nice texture. Simple.
Unlike most other recipes, you actually want to mix (or knead) your cinnamon roll dough to its capacity so that you release the gluten and it becomes extremely elastic. This helps when rolling and allows you to create a nicely flat, thin square, which is later filled with your choice of filling and rolled.
Although I’ve mostly made my cinnamon rolls within the same day, ultimately, rising your dough overnight in the refrigerator is the best! This slow rise process allows the yeast to completely feed off of the sugar and creates great flavor and of course—a lot more fluffiness.
One of my latest discoveries was the use of bread flour in my cinnamon rolls. Before, I would use only all-purpose flour. However, after a little experimenting, I’ve learned that bread flour creates a beautiful texture—tender, thick, and even more fluffy, almost ‘brioche’ like.
Yes, you read it right. Although the assembly part is extremely messy, I’ve learned that the rolling is the star process! Before, I use to struggle with rolling the perfect cinnamon roll, however, lately I’ve been able to roll it pretty tight, which not only creates a nice structure, but it allows you to cut the dough more evenly which helps with baking. When rolling, always start the initial first roll really tight to keep the same momentum throughout.
There you have it.
It’s super easy to make (I have Tips below to ensure this!).
Bold Fall/Winter flavors + spices—-All about that Gingerbread + Maple!
Only requires ONE baking dish.
Can be MADE AHEAD! (See Notes!)
The epitome of COMFORT SWEETS!
Super thick and fluffy (Just like we like it!)
Perfect for the Holiday season.
Did I mention that it’s just TOO GOOD TO PASS UP!?
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Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls + Maple Cream Cheese Frosting.
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[…] there are these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls which are not your typical, traditional rolls. The gingerbread spices add great […]
Wow Shanika!! I want o grab that fork and dig into these things!! So many holiday flavors. My grand-girl and I made little plain cinnamon rolls with frozen brad dough last night– they didn’t hold a candle to yours!! Hope all’s going well for getting ready for Christmas!! Does it every snow there in December?? hugs hugs from here.
Thanks so much Rhonda! I really love cinnamon rolls and it’s so awesome that you and your granddaughter made some recently! It’s such a fun thing to do with kids!It actually snowed here on Saturday, which was pretty nice, but it’s going to be super cold these next few days. I hope that the weather is nice on your end! I’m definitely in the Christmas spirit and trying to get all the shopping done for my little guy! I hope that all is going well for you for getting ready for Christmas as well. Hugs and more hugs! 🙂
Oh my word these look amazing! Your vegan dessert recipes are my favorite!
I was wondering if you would be interested in doing a guest-post or collab. You have really supported and inspired me through my blogging journey. If you’re interested, just let me know and we can work something out.
Thanks girl!
Emerald @ Little Things and Sunshine
Hi Emerald! Thanks so much! I’d love to chat more! Email me at [email protected] so that we can work something out!