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Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing, everyone’s favorite Christmas breakfast. These are classic and DELICIOUS! Buttery, soft, and fluffy dough swirled with cinnamon sugar. Each roll is frosted generously with a warming brown butter and caramel cream cheese icing that melts into every nook and cranny. There’s nothing not to love, every bite is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can’t beat a cinnamon roll on Christmas morning, no matter your age. We all love these.

Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

Like clockwork, it’s Christmas week and I am making cinnamon rolls. Nothing new here, but the recipe. And while I’ve loved every last cinnamon roll I have ever shared, these are what I make for Christmas.

It’s my go-to dough recipe, with double the cinnamon filling, and everyone’s favorite icing. Cream cheese is a must for us, and while they all say they don’t like caramel, it’s actually what makes the icing so addicting.

They just don’t know it. But these rolls are our staple.

Here is what I do. Or actually, here is what I didn’t do the past 2 years and I majorly regretted it. I skipped our tradition, and I’m not going to lie, everyone was pretty bummed on it.

But I have a game plan this year, so yes, my cousin Abby is finally getting her cinni roll fix. I can’t wait to make these for her!

My plan is simple. Make the dough, cut the rolls, and throw them in the fridge on Christmas Eve. They can rise overnight and I can bake umm up first thing in the morning. Planned, prepped, and ready.

Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

The dough is the simplest to make. Simply mix the yeast with warm milk and a small touch of brown sugar. It’s important to let that mix sit for a few minutes to allow the yeast to “activate”. If the yeast doesn’t look bubbly on top, that means it’s probably old yeast. You should try again with fresh yeast. Sometimes it randomly happens, so just keep an eye out!

Next, add the butter, eggs, flour, and salt. Mix until smooth and let the dough rest until doubled in size. Then it’s time to shape the rolls. I love to keep the dough super simple. It’s the holidays and things are busy enough as is.

For the cinni-sugar mix, I love to use brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon for the best flavor. The brown sugar adds a nice depth and richness. And I go heavy on the cinnamon for sweet cinnamon swirls throughout.

Classic filling, nothing new here, but you can’t complain about it.

Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

Assemble and bake

Spread the dough with butter, then sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar. Roll the dough up into a log, slice, and bake.

The smells coming from the oven will be magical. Sweet cinnamon with hints of vanilla. ‘Tis perfection and it smells like Christmas to me.

Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

The Icing

This is what makes these rolls special. The secret, not-so-secret, ingredient being salted caramel. It’s only a fourth of a cup, but it’s just enough to help the icing melt into every nook and cranny of these rolls.

It’s honestly, so good and creates the best icing for your cinnamon rolls.

Frost each warm roll and then enjoy while they’re extra gooey. It’s going to be messy, but oh my gosh, that means your cinnamon roll is GOOD.

Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

Asher just enjoyed one pre-Christmas roll. She is standing in front of me saying, “mhhh, these are so good”.

Simple. Easy. And just the best! I cannot think of a better Christmas morning breakfast. Very excited to be making these for my family again this year. Hoping you all will be too!

Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other holiday cinnamon roll recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Brown Butter Maple Icing

Easy Fluffy Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls

Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Wreath

Overnight Pull-Apart Brioche Cinnamon Roll Bread (an oldie)

Lastly, if you make these Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Soft and Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rising time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories Per Serving: 527 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Filling

Brown Butter Caramel Cream Cheese Icing

Instructions

  • 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the milk, yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit 5-10 minutes, until bubbly on top. Add the butter, eggs, 3 1/2 – 4 cups flour, vanilla, and salt. Using the dough hook, mix until the flour is completely incorporated, about 4-5 minutes. If the dough is still sticky, add an additional 1/4 cup flour, adding more as needed until the dough is smooth to touch.
    2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
    3. Meanwhile, mix the filling. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
    4. Punch the dough down and roll out onto a lightly floured surface, creating a large rectangle about 12 x 18 inches. Spread the butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log, keeping it tight as you go. When you reach the edge, pinch along the edge to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12-15 rolls. Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 15-20 minutes.
    5. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
    6. Meanwhile, make the icing. Add the butter to a pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the brown butter, beating to combine. Then, add the powdered sugar, caramel, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until creamy. Spread the icing over the warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

To Make Ahead: prepare the rolls through step 4. Do not let the rolls rise at room temp. Cover the rolls and place them in the fridge (up to overnight). When ready to bake, remove the rolls from the fridge 30 minutes prior to baking, then bake as directed. 
To Prepare and Freeze: assemble the rolls through step 4. Then cover the pan and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the rolls overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours. Once thawed, bake as directed. 
To Bake and Freeze: bake the rolls as directed and let cool completely. Cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm, then frost before serving. 
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Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing | halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

    1. Hey Jamie,
      You bet, just add the instant yeast to the flour:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT

  1. 5 stars
    I made these cinnamon rolls for Christmas Eve and they were a huge hit. I’m a baking newbie so I wish the recipe had said what speed to use when mixing the dough but these still turned out really nicely. The frosting is also exquisite – seriously the brown butter, caramel, and cream cheese combo is to die for. I’ll definitely make these again!

    1. Hey Lauren,
      Happy New Year!!🎆 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review! xT

  2. When you say “warm” milk…do you have a recommendation for a specific temperature ? Or microwave for “x” amount of time?? Thank you

    1. Hi Julie,
      So sorry, I don’t, I would just say lukewarm, just as long as it’s not too hot. Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT

    2. I made these – I just warmed it up in the microwave for about 40 seconds. I think it’s just warm enough to get the yeast to activate, so under 100F.

  3. Asher is right … these are “soooo good”. Instructions are easy to follow, as per usual:), and they turned out perfect! What a treat.
    Thanks!!!

    1. Hey Marilyn,
      Happy Friday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear this was enjoyed! xT

  4. 5 stars
    My first time making cinnamon rolls and they turned out perfect! Thanks for making the instructions easy to follow and including the options at the end for making them ahead. I anticipate this being a Christmas breakfast tradition at our house.
    I look forward to making more of your cinnamon roll recipes!

    1. Hey Kendra,
      Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for your comment! xx

  5. 5 stars
    These are AMAZING! Always wanted to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and these did not disappoint. The icing is delicious. Will make again!

    1. Hey Kayla,
      Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for your comment! xx

      1. I’m making some of the rolls and storing the rest in the freezer.

        Two questions:

        1. Can you also freeze the icing?

        2. I wound up needing about 5-6 cups of flour before my dough wasn’t sticky. Is that normal?

        1. Hey Kathleen,
          I probably wouldn’t recommend freezing the icing. That sounds like a lot of flour….what kind of yeast did you use? Let me know how I can help! xT

  6. 5 stars
    OMG! I made these for Christmas morning brunch with friends and they are truly the best cinnamon rolls ever! This will be my go to recipe. Thank you so much!

    1. Hey Sharon,
      Happy Wednesday!!🎇 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! xx

  7. Wondering what we can substitute for the vanilla bean powder? I have everything else and can’t wait for a delivery of that. Any suggestions?

    1. I used vanilla extract and they were phenomenal. I found online that 1tsp extract is equal to 1/2 tsp of the powder.

    2. Hi Marisa,
      You can use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope it turns out well for you! xT

  8. 5 stars
    I made the recipe yesterday, froze 11 and baked 3 the next morning. Absolutely wonderful! The icing is so good, I will use for carrot cake one day. I choose to sprinkle the flaky salt on the icing. Thank you Tieghan.

    1. Hey Walter,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! xT

  9. 5 stars
    I’ve been loyal to one cinnamon roll recipe for more than a decade of Christmas morning. But that changed this year!

    I love how easily this recipe came together. I doubled it with no problems and had a batch to eat and a batch to share.

    They are so incredibly fluffy while still being decadent. Everything you want in an amazing holiday breakfast treat.

    1. Hey Kristie,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you giving it a try! xT

  10. Mine turned out a bit dry – I do not think it was the recipe, definitely the chef haha! When I make again in the future – does anyone know why it could be dry? They weren’t super brown on top so not over baked. I think it may be too much flour in the mix. Definitely will make again with suggestions!

    1. Hi Sarah,
      Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear these were dry for you! What kind of yeast did you use? Was the dough able to rise correctly? Let me know how I can help! xT

      1. Hi Tieghan- thanks for the reply! I used active dry yeast and let it bloom as instructed. I think the dough was able to rise correctly, however, after doing some research my house might’ve been too cold! Wondering if it could’ve been that I used too much flour and I over worked the dough. Definitely will try this recipe again and utilize the overnight instructions. I LOVE your recipes and content!

        1. Thanks so much Sarah!! I always like to turn my oven on and you can let the dough rise on top of the warm oven, that usually helps with a cold kitchen!

  11. 5 stars
    These are insanely good! I got so many compliments on the frosting. The only change I made to the recipe was to use 1/2 c buttermilk, 1/2 c whole milk for the dough. Otherwise, followed to the letter, using the make ahead directions. I love cinnamon rolls and make them often, this may be my favorite of ALL the recipes I’ve tried.

    1. 5 stars
      Prepped these last night and baked this morning. They were phenomenal! I also made the icing last night and smeared it on the hot rolls. Worked perfectly.

    2. Hey Stefaney,
      Happy Holidays!!☃️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT

  12. 5 stars
    This recipe is AMAZING!!! I have attempted to make cinnamon rolls so many times. It is sooo much work, and I am always disappointed. Not with these. They were so easy to make, and taste like what you think a good cinnamon roll should taste like. My notoriously picky MIL who doesn’t eat sweets went back for seconds. They are that good!!! I wish I had taken pics, because they were just as pretty as they were delicious. Thank you so much for this recipe.

    1. Hey Sarah,
      Happy Holidays!!☃️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT