Christmas Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Easy Homemade Holiday Breakfast Rolls) 🎄❤️
These Christmas Cinnamon Rolls are soft, fluffy, and filled with a rich cinnamon sugar filling before being topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and festive holiday sprinkles. Perfect for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday brunches, or cozy winter weekends, these homemade cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to become a family tradition.
With their festive red dough and gooey cinnamon center, they are the ultimate show-stopping holiday breakfast.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These Christmas cinnamon rolls are perfect for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday brunches, cozy winter weekends, and festive family gatherings.
They have a rich cinnamon sugar filling, soft homemade dough, creamy cream cheese frosting, and a beautiful holiday presentation with Christmas sprinkles.
This recipe is also great for making ahead, which makes it perfect for busy holiday mornings.
Ingredients
For the Christmas Cinnamon Roll Dough
466.5 grams (16.45 ounces) bread flour
2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1¼ cups warm whole milk
2–3 drops red gel food coloring
⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
Heavy cream, for baking
Christmas sprinkles, for garnish
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons softened butter
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
2–4 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Equipment Needed
Stand mixer with dough hook
Rolling pin
9x13-inch baking dish
Mixing bowls
Plastic wrap
Electric mixer
How to Make Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed for 1 minute.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add the warm milk, red gel food coloring, melted butter, vanilla extract, and eggs. Mix using the dough hook attachment.
Knead on medium-low speed for 5 to 6 minutes, or until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter. Mix until a spreadable cinnamon sugar filling forms.
Step 4: Roll the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle approximately 9x13 inches and about ½-inch thick.
Spread the cinnamon sugar filling evenly across the dough.
Step 5: Form the Cinnamon Rolls
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into strips approximately 1½ inches wide.
Roll each strip tightly to form individual cinnamon rolls.
Step 6: Proof the Rolls
Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the cinnamon rolls evenly in the pan.
Cover with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Drizzle a small amount of heavy cream over the rolls before baking. Bake for 21 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls. Allow them to cool slightly, then top with Christmas sprinkles.
Serve warm and enjoy.
Expert Tips
Use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring for the brightest festive red color.
Do not overheat the milk or melted butter, as excessive heat can affect the yeast.
Pouring heavy cream over the cinnamon rolls before baking helps create an extra-soft, bakery-style texture.
Frost the rolls while they are still warm for the ultimate gooey finish.
Storage
Store covered cinnamon rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate frosted cinnamon rolls for up to 5 days.
Reheat before serving for the best soft and gooey texture.
Variations
Overnight Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
Prepare the rolls the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh the next morning.
Peppermint Cinnamon Rolls
Add crushed candy canes to the frosting for a festive peppermint twist.
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Add ginger and nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar filling for a cozy gingerbread flavor.
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
Add cocoa powder to the dough for a festive red velvet version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Christmas Cinnamon Rolls ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the rolls the night before, refrigerate them overnight, and bake them fresh the next morning.
Why pour heavy cream over cinnamon rolls?
Heavy cream creates ultra-soft, bakery-style cinnamon rolls with a gooey center.
Can I freeze cinnamon rolls?
Yes. Freeze baked or unbaked cinnamon rolls for up to 3 months.
What frosting works best for cinnamon rolls?
Cream cheese frosting is the most popular option because it pairs perfectly with the warm cinnamon filling.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll
Calories: 480
Carbohydrates: 58g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 24g
Sugar: 30g
Perfect Drink Pairings
Christmas Morning Coffee
More Christmas Breakfast Recipes You'll Love
Christmas Breakfast Casserole
French Toast Bake
Hash Brown Casserole
Holiday Bread Pudding
Cranberry Orange Bread
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Food Safety Tips
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Store frosted rolls in an airtight container.
Reheat thoroughly before serving.