• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Sweet Occasion

Learn. Bake. Enjoy.

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
      • All Categories
      • Brownies & Bars
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Custards, Parfaits & Pudding
      • Frostings & Fillings
      • Frozen
      • Pies, Tarts & Crisps
    • Pastry
  • Guides
    • Baking Techniques
    • Baking Tips
    • Ingredient Guides
  • About
  • Contact
Home » Breads » Enriched Yeast Dough » Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

December 4, 2020 By Maria 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect holiday morning breakfast.  They’re made with molasses and filled with a brown sugar spiced filling for a gooey and delicious winter-inspired roll.  They’re soft and fluffy and topped with a brown sugar cream cheese frosting.

Pan with frosted gingerbread flavored cinnamon rolls in a baking pan with some cinnamon rolls.

What’s a winter season without gingerbread?  Cookies, houses, cake, and cupcakes are all classics for this flavor.  But this season, take it one step further and add gingerbread cinnamon rolls to your baking list.   It’s the same great flavor transformed into warm and gooey breakfast rolls for the whole family to enjoy.  You can prep them the night before and have a delicious breakfast treat ready in just one hour.

Why this recipe works

  • Fun and festive winter breakfast.
  • Gooey brown sugar and spiced filling.
  • The dough is made with molasses for a lovely gingerbread flavor.
  • Topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
  • Freezer-friendly breakfast recipe.

Before you begin

Take out the following baking equipment.

Digital kitchen scale
Medium bowl
Whisk
Stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment
Dough hook attachment
Large bowl
9×13-inch baking pan
Rolling pin
Small offset spatula
Small bowl
Serrated knife
Silicon spatula

Allow all your ingredients to come to room temperature.
Read the recipe through from start to finish.

Understanding Ingredients

There are several types of yeast: fresh, instant, rapid rise, and active.  For this recipe, use instant yeast.  It’s simple to work with compared to other yeast.  All you have to do is add it straight to your bowl and mix.  There is no initial hydrating nor worry about how warm the water is or how long you have to let it sit.  You can skip all those variables with instant yeast.  Store yeast in the refrigerator to maximize its shelf life and to ensure it maintains its leavening power.

Sour cream is traditionally not added to bread.  However, these cinnamon rolls are enriched, and I have added sour cream for a couple of reasons.  The acidity and tanginess of sour cream add a more complex flavor to the dough.  The extra fat adds another layer of richness.  And finally, sour cream adds moisture to the dough.

Molasses is a key ingredient in gingerbread.  It adds a dark, rich color to the dough, but more importantly, it adds that distinctive gingerbread flavor that pairs well with the spices.  Use unsulphured molasses, which will yield the best flavor.  Blackstrap molasses has a slightly bitter flavor, which would not be as pleasant in these rolls.

Pan of gingerbread cinnamon rolls.

How to make gingerbread cinnamon roll dough

Knead.  First, begin with mixing the wet ingredients in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Slowly add the dry ingredients and milk, and then switch to the dough hook and mix for about 7 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Proof.  Place dough in a lightly greased bowl. Loosely cover and allow to rise in a warm place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Fill and roll. Roll the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.  Spread with the softened butter and sprinkle the brown sugar filling mixture on top.  Roll the dough nice and tight to keep your filling from spilling out. Using a technique of stretching and rolling the dough helps keep it tight.

Slice.  Once rolled, trim the ends of the dough and slice the log into 12 equal-sized pieces.

Second proof.  Allow your rolls to proof a second time once they are cut and in the pan.  Loosely cover with a kitchen towel and allow them to proof for about 30 minutes, until they are puffed.

Easy brown sugar filling

The filling for these gingerbread cinnamon rolls is simple and adaptable to your preferences.  All you have to do is whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.

You can easily alter the spices.  If you prefer, you can substitute the spices with pumpkin pie spice.  Although baking is a science, you can easily adapt the flavor with other flavorings and spices without worrying about affecting the recipe.

Pan of gingerbread cinnamon rolls partially frosted with brown sugar powdered sugar.

Proofing gingerbread cinnamon rolls overnight

Once the dough is mixed, it will take about 1 hour to proof depending on the surrounding temperature.  If you prefer, you can proof the dough in the refrigerator overnight.  A cold fermentation process means the yeast releases carbon dioxide more slowly. As a result, your rolls will have a more complex, robust flavor.  It’s a great way to prep the cinnamon rolls ahead of time and have less work in the morning before enjoying them!

How to cut dough for cinnamon rolls

Once your dough is rolled into a log shape, it’s time to slice it into 12 even rolls.  To cut the dough, it’s best to use a sharp serrated knife for easy slicing.  Allow the knife to do the work for you.  Do not press the knife into the dough. Instead, use a gently sawing motion to cut the rolls to not smush the dough.

  1. Trim both ends of the log and discard the scraps.
  2. Slice the log into quarters.
  3. Slice each quarter into thirds.
  4. Carefully transfer rolls to your prepared baking pan.

Pan with frosted gingerbread flavored cinnamon rolls in a baking pan with some cinnamon rolls taken out.

How to store cinnamon rolls

Once baked, keep cinnamon rolls in an airtight container to prevent the moisture from escaping.  Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

You can also freeze the rolls before adding the icing. Place into a freeze-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, warm up in the oven and add frosting before enjoying.

Reheating cinnamon rolls

You can either reheat your rolls in the oven or microwave.  It’s a personal preference and depends on how much time you have.  Let’s take a look at both options.

Reheating using the oven

Using the oven requires a bit more time, but this method results in moist and gooey cinnamon rolls that taste like they were just baked.

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F/176°C.
  2. Place cinnamon rolls onto a baking sheet pan and place into the oven.
  3. Reheat for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
  4. Allow to cool slightly and enjoy!

Reheating using the microwave

For a quicker method, use the microwave to reheat your rolls.  The one caveat is that microwaving can cause your cinnamon roll to become soggy, so do not heat them for too long using this method.

  1. Place the cinnamon rolls on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Reheat for 15 to 30 seconds or until just heated through.  Enjoy!

Plate with a gingerbread flavored cinnamon roll topped with brown sugar cream cheese frosting and the pan of the cinnamon rolls in the background.

Tips and takeaways

  • Make sure to use room temperature ingredients (including the sour cream and egg). It will allow you to mix your ingredients more evenly into the dough as well as provide the optimal temperature for yeast activity.
  • Proof your dough in a clean and lightly oiled bowl.  This will make it easier to remove the dough from the bowl after it proofs and it will also allow the dough to rise higher instead of fighting the sides of the bowl.
  • Instead of making 12 rolls, you can slice the dough log into ten rolls and bake them in a round pan.
  • Do not overbake the gingerbread cinnamon rolls otherwise, they will not be soft and chewy.  Press the center gently, they should feel slightly firm and not squishy.  The perfect roll will be golden brown on the outside and baked to an internal temperature of 190°F/88°C

For more fall and winter breakfast inspiration, try these recipes…

  • Gingerbread Pumpkin S’mores Pop Tarts
  • Sweet Potato Coffee Cake
  • Pumpkin Donuts
  • Pumpkin Nutella Muffins

Make sure to tag me @thesweetoccasion on Instagram and leave me a review below if you make these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls. I’d love to see your creations and read your feedback.  And if you would like to make this recipe later, be sure to pin this recipe using the button on any of these images. Let’s make every occasion a sweet occasion!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Pan with frosted gingerbread flavored cinnamon rolls in a baking pan with some cinnamon rolls.

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls


★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect holiday morning breakfast.  They’re made with molasses and filled with a brown sugar spiced filling for a gooey and delicious winter-inspired roll.  They’re soft and fluffy and topped with a brown sugar cream cheese frosting.


Ingredients

Scale

For the dough

  • 600 g (4 3/4 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 7 g (2 1/4) teaspoons instant yeast
  • 5.6 g (1 teaspoon) salt
  • 75 g (1/3 cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • 75 g (1/3 cup) light brown sugar
  • 60 g (1/4 cup) sour cream, at room temperature
  • 50 g (1 large) egg, at room temperature
  • 85 g (1/4 cup) molasses
  • 240 g (1 cup) warm whole milk

For the filling

  • 113 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 165 (3/4 cup) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 6 g (1 tablespoon) ground cinnamon
  • 3.2 g (2 teaspoons) ground ginger
  • 0.5 g (1/4 teaspoon) ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 g (1/4 teaspoon) ground cloves
  • 50 g (1 large) egg, lightly beaten

For the frosting

  • 113 g (4 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 56 g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 150 g (1 1/4 cups) powdered sugar
  • 55 g (1/4 cup) light brown sugar
  • 4 g (1 teaspoon) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 g (1/2 teaspoon) ground cinnamon
  • 14 g (1 tablespoon) heavy cream or whole milk

Instructions

For the rolls

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt.  Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix melted butter, sugar, sour cream, egg, and molasses.  With the mixer on low speed, add half of the flour mixture followed by the milk, and mix until combined.  Switch to the dough hook attachment and add the remaining flour mixture.  Beat on medium speed for 5-7 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic.  The dough might be slightly sticky, if so, use a dough scraper to transfer the dough.
  3. Lightly grease a large bowl with vegetable oil or cooking spray.  Place dough in the bowl.  Rotate the dough so that it is greased on all sides.  Loosely cover and allow to rise in a warm place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  4. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
  5. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and lightly punch down to release some of the gases.  Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.

For the filling

  1. Spread the softened butter onto the dough.  In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.  Sprinkle the filling onto the dough, allowing for a ½-inch border along one of the long edges. Brush the edge without the mixture with the beaten egg.
  2. Begin with the long edge that has the sugar mixture and roll the dough into a log.  Pinch seam to seal, trim ends, and slice into 12 rolls. Place in prepared pan.  Allow rolls to rise in a warm place (75°F/24°C) until rolls are puffed, about 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat oven to 350°F/176°C.
  4. Bake cinnamon rolls 30-35 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Allow rolls to cool 15 minutes before frosting.

For frosting

  1. In a large bowl using a mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the brown sugar and mix to combine.  Add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and milk and mix until combined. Spread onto warm rolls.

Notes

Storing:  Keep cinnamon rolls in an airtight container to prevent the moisture from escaping.  Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Freezing:  Before adding the frosting, cover baked rolls in a freeze-safe container.  Store in the freeze for up to 2 months.  Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, warm up in the oven, add the frosting, and enjoy!.

  • Category: Breakfast

Keywords: gingerbread, cinnamon rolls, breakfast, holiday, cream cheese frosting

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thesweetoccasion on Instagram and hashtag it #thesweetoccasion

Filed Under: Cinnamon Rolls, Enriched Yeast Dough

Previous Post: « Zucchini Puff Pastry Tarts
Next Post: Peppermint Cake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ashok

    August 30, 2021 at 8:38 am

    Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Maria

      September 1, 2021 at 10:55 am

      I’m thrilled you loved this recipe! It makes for a delicious holiday recipe!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Meet Maria!

Professionally trained pastry chef at your fingertips. I provide the baking knowledge and tools for bakers like you to successfully create in your kitchen. Read More…

What's holiday baking without some delicious fruit What's holiday baking without some delicious fruit desserts?  I was excited to make this simple tart using @starrrachgrowers apples, basic pastry dough, and a sprinkling of sugar and butter.  These @juici_apple apples give a beautiful hue of red and have the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor.  What's your favorite holiday apple recipe?  #EatBakeLove⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#StarrRanchGrowers #JUICIOfficial #thesweetoccasion #apples #applebaking #appletart #holidaybaking #tart #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove #bakersofinstagram #bakingblog #piedough
New Peppermint Cake up on the blog! This three-la New Peppermint Cake up on the blog!  This three-layer white cake is flavored with peppermint and frosted with a white chocolate peppermint swiss meringue buttercream.  Add crushed candy canes for an extra fun holiday cake!  Recipe link in bio!⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip: To check for cake doneness, use the bounce-back test.  Gently press down on the cake.  If an indentation is left in the cake, then it needs more time.  If it bounces back, then it's fully baked.  You will also notice that the sides of the cake begin to pull away from the pan.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#peppermint #cake #whitechocolate #thesweetoccasion #cakesofinstagram #christmascake #layercake #cakelover #bakegram #madefromscratch #holidaybaking #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #christmascakes #holidaycake #bakingblog #bakingtips #swissmeringuebuttercream #christmasdessert #christmascakedecorating⁠
Coffee Cupcakes are definitely for the coffee love Coffee Cupcakes are definitely for the coffee lover.  Made with a delicious coffee-flavored batter that’s baked to perfection and topped with a light and airy coffee buttercream.  They’re easy-to-make using staple pantry ingredients with the exception of espresso powder that is easily found at your local supermarket.  Recipe link in bio.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  Use a cookie scoop to easily fill your cupcake liners.  Only fill 2/3 full to prevent the cupcakes from spilling or sinking.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#coffeelover #cupcakes #thesweetoccasion #delalloeats #coffeedaily #cupcakesofinstagram #coffeecupcakes #buttercream #coffeebuttercream #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #sweets #bakingtips #cupcakestagram #bakersofinstagram #cupcakesdaily #cupcakesfordays #bakingfromscratch #bakinglove
Almond cream is such a versatile recipe that's per Almond cream is such a versatile recipe that's perfect for holiday baking.  It can be used for filling pastries like croissants, topping sliced brioche and baking until golden brown, or filling an unbaked tart shell, adding fruit, and baking until set.  Almond cream will become your best friend when creating impressive desserts for your family and friends.  Recipe link in bio!⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  If you'd like to make this cream with another nut flour, substitute half of the almond flour with your choice of nut flour.  You will still benefit from using almond flour while also using a stronger flavored nut.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#frangipane #almondcream #almond #filling #thesweetoccasion #holidaybaking #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #bakersofinstagram #bakingblog #bakingtips #frenchpastry #frenchdesserts #pastrychef #tartfilling
⁠Looking for an easy recipe this holiday season? ⁠Looking for an easy recipe this holiday season?  Try this creamy Coconut Cheesecake made with @naturesgreatestfoods organic coconut cream.  It's a decadent and delicious dessert made with a coconut graham cracker crust.  For extra flavor and texture, top this cheesecake with toasted coconut.  Recipe link in bio.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  Do not overmix your filling, as overmixing can cause your cheesecake to crack.  Only mix until all the ingredients are just combined.  Use the paddle attachment to mix your ingredients on medium-low speed to avoid beating too much air into your filling.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#coconut #coconutcheesecake #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #lifeofabaker #coconutcream #cheesecakes #coconutcake #toastedcoconut #grahamcracker #grahamcrackercrust #sweets #foodgram #bakegram #bakersofinstagram #cheesecakelove #cheesecakelovers⁠
The holidays are a time for lots of baking. Add c The holidays are a time for lots of baking.  Add carrot bundt cake to your list.  It's filled with a layer of cream cheese and topped with a cream cheese frosting for a delicious spiced cake that's a real crowd-pleaser.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  Do not use store-bought shredded carrots, as it will affect your cake's moisture content.  They are very dry and lack sweetness compared to shredding your own carrots. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#carrotcake #creamcheesefrosting #bakedfromscratch #lifeofabaker #bakefeed #instayummy #delish #thebakefeed #holidaybaking #holidaycake #thesweetoccasion #fromscratch #easyrecipe #bakingblog #bakersofinstagram #bakingtips #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #scratchbaking #bakingblog #carrotbundtcake
⁠Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a holiday favori ⁠Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a holiday favorite.  They’re made with molasses and filled with a brown sugar spiced filling for a gooey and delicious winter-inspired roll.  As if these soft and fluffy rolls aren't enough, they're topped with a brown sugar cream cheese frosting for a real treat.⁠ Recipe link in bio.⁠
⁠
⁠✨Pastry pro tip:⁠ To reheat cinnamon rolls in the microwave, place a microwave-safe cup containing water in the microwave and heat thoroughly.  Add the cinnamon rolls next to the water and heat.  The steam from the hot water will prevent the rolls from becoming too dry or too soggy.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#gingerbread #cinnamonrolls #holidaybaking ##breakfastideas #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #bakingblog #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #scratchbaking #bakinggoals #christmasbreakfast #holidaybreakfast #creamcheesefrosting #bakefeed #foodgram #thefeedfeed #bakegram #bakersofinstagram #lifeofabaker #scratchbaking #ilovebaking #sweets #bakinglove⁠
Holiday baking can get overwhelming. To help ⁠e Holiday baking can get overwhelming.  To help ⁠ease the stress, head on over to the blog for my tips on how to freeze cookie dough.  It's convenient to do, perfect for gifting, and allows you to get ahead for all your cookie baking.⁠ Grab these tips from the link in my profile.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  For cookies that call for rolling in sugar, such as snickerdoodle cookies, prepare the dough as directed without rolling in the sugar and add it just before baking.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#cookiedough #cookiesofinstagram #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #bakingtechniques #bakinglove #madefromstratch #giftgiving #cookiegifts #bakingfromscratch #bakingcookies #freezingcookies #housewarmingcookies
⁠Dessert or breakfast? Coconut rice pudding can ⁠Dessert or breakfast?  Coconut rice pudding can certainly be either.  It's a simple-one pot pudding that is creamy and perfectly tender without being mushy.  Add a bit of granola and you have a simple yet flavorful breakfast ready in no time.⁠
⁠
✨Pastry pro tip:  When making this coconut rice pudding, do not rinse the rice.  The starchiness is key to creating a creamy and thick mixture.⁠
⁠
Recipe link in bio!⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#coconutrice #ricepudding #thesweetoccasion #learntobake #bakingblog #bakersofinstagram #bakedfromscratch #learnbakeenjoy #bakingtips #pudding #instapudding #lifeofabaker #foodgram #bakegram #onepot #lovetobake #onepot
Follow on Instagram

Categories

Latest Posts

  • Brown Butter Toffee Cookies
  • Peppermint Cake
  • Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
  • Zucchini Puff Pastry Tarts
  • Birthday Cake Cookies

Archives

Footer

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Meet Maria!

Professionally trained pastry chef, wife, and a mom to two. Sharing my recipes, tips & techniques so that any occasion can be a sweet occasion. Read More…

  • Privacy Policy

The Latest Recipes!

Stack of brown butter cookies with toffee bits on a French wire cooling rack with milk in the backgroud.
Peppermint flavored cake with white chocolate peppermint swiss meringue buttercream on a marble round board.
Pan with frosted gingerbread flavored cinnamon rolls in a baking pan with some cinnamon rolls.

Copyright © 2022 · thesweetoccasion.com