Creative Festive Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls Recipe with Maple Frosting

Warm, comforting aromas of holiday gingerbread spice cinnamon rolls waft through the kitchen, promising delectable memories.

These decadent rolls blend traditional baking techniques with festive seasonal flavors that dance across your palate.

Soft, pillowy dough swirled with rich gingerbread spice cinnamon creates an irresistible treat that beckons everyone to the table.

Sweet maple frosting adds a luxurious touch, transforming simple rolls into a celebration of winter warmth.

Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of spicy and sweet notes that capture the essence of holiday baking.

The intricate layers and delicate texture make these rolls more than just a breakfast—they’re an experience.

You’ll find yourself reaching for seconds before the first roll even cools.

Prepare to fall in love with this ultimate holiday morning indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients That Make Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Shine

• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and helps develop soft, tender texture with gentle warmth.
• Active Dry Yeast: Creates magical rising action and develops beautiful bread structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and provides subtle sweetness for dough development.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates tender, moist roll texture.
• Egg and Egg Yolk: Provide structure, richness, and beautiful golden color to rolls.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates foundational structure and ensures perfect roll consistency.
• Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens gluten network in dough.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel undertones and helps create delicious sticky filling.
• Butter: Creates smooth, spreadable filling with rich flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic spice profile characteristic of gingerbread.
• Ground Ginger: Adds bright, zingy traditional gingerbread flavor.
• Ground Cloves: Introduces intense, aromatic warmth to filling.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers complex, slightly sweet spice dimension.

• Cream Cheese: Creates tangy, smooth base for luxurious frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve perfect frosting consistency.
• Maple Syrup: Delivers authentic, rich woodland sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens flavor profile.

Tools for Baking Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls With Maple Frosting

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for kneading dough and mixing frosting ingredients smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing dough and filling ingredients.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out dough into a rectangle.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for baking and serving the cinnamon rolls.
• Whisk: Great for combining yeast mixture and blending ingredients.
• Sharp Knife or Bench Scraper: Required for cutting dough into rolls.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helpful for spreading filling and frosting evenly.

How to Make Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls Soft and Sweet

• Activate the Yeast

Combine warm milk, yeast, and a touch of sugar. Wait until the mixture becomes frothy and alive with bubbling potential.

• Create the Dough Base

Blend melted butter, remaining sugar, egg, and egg yolk in a spacious mixing bowl. Pour in the activated yeast and gradually incorporate flour and salt until a cohesive dough emerges.

• Develop Dough Texture

Knead the mixture thoroughly until it transforms into a smooth, elastic wonder. Let the dough rest and rise in a cozy spot, doubling in size and developing rich flavor.

• Craft Gingerbread Spice Filling

Mix softened butter with brown sugar and a symphony of warming spices – creating a fragrant and delectable blend that will bring these rolls to life.

• Shape and Prepare Rolls

Roll out the dough into a generous rectangle, lavish the spice mixture across its surface. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, then slice into perfect individual portions.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the rolls into a preheated oven, allowing them to transform into golden-brown delights with crispy edges and soft, pillowy centers.

• Crown with Maple Frosting

Whip cream cheese, butter, and sweet maple into a luscious topping. Generously spread over warm rolls, creating a decadent finishing touch that will make taste buds dance.

Frosting Tips for Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Perfection

• Ensure milk is precisely warm (110-115°F) to wake up yeast without killing it, guaranteeing a fluffy rise every single time.
• Place dough in a slightly warm oven (turned off) with a bowl of hot water to create the ideal proofing environment for maximum volume.
• Assemble rolls the night before, refrigerate overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking for fresh morning treats.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version; use plant-based butter and dairy-free cream cheese for vegan adaptation.
• Adjust gingerbread spices to taste – reduce for mild flavor or increase for bold, warm winter-inspired intensity that'll make taste buds dance.

Serve These Rolls for Holiday Mornings

• Festive Holiday Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange these gingerbread cinnamon rolls on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks for a stunning holiday breakfast display.
• Cozy Morning Companion: Pair these warm rolls with a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate to create the ultimate comfort breakfast experience that warms you from the inside out.
• Gifting Delights: Package individual rolls in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons as homemade edible gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday party hosts – a sweet and personal touch that shows you care.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the rolls the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, let them come to room temperature and bake fresh for a stress-free weekend breakfast that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Store Cinnamon Rolls for Next-Day Reheating

• Store rolls in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Prepare rolls the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate unbaked. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to allow gradual temperature adjustment.
• Wrap cooled rolls separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and warm gently in microwave or oven before serving.
• Keep frosted rolls at room temperature for 2-3 hours. For longer storage, refrigerate immediately and consume within 48 hours for best taste and texture.

Festive Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Festive holiday “Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting” bring warmth and comfort to winter mornings. Spicy ginger, sweet maple, and rich cinnamon weave magic into each delightful, pillowy swirl perfect for weekend brunches.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps pure maple syrup
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Activate yeast in warm milk with a touch of sugar until frothy. Combine melted butter, remaining sugar, eggs, and yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate flour and salt, kneading until the dough becomes silky and resilient. Transfer to a greased container and allow to rise in a cozy environment until volume doubles.
2. Spice Filling Creation: Blend softened butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt into a harmonious, aromatic mixture.
3. Roll Assembly: Stretch dough into a generous rectangular shape on a flour-dusted surface. Lavishly distribute the gingerbread spice filling across the entire surface. Tightly roll the dough from the extended side, transforming it into a compact log. Slice into 12 uniform portions and nestle into a generously greased baking vessel. Allow rolls to rise and plump.
4. Baking Process: Heat oven to 350°F. Bake until rolls acquire a golden, enticing complexion, approximately 20-25 minutes.
5. Maple Frosting Finale: Whip cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt into a velvety, luxurious topping. Generously spread over warm rolls and serve immediately for maximum indulgence.

Notes

• Ensure milk is warm (110-115°F) to activate yeast without killing it, creating perfect soft rolls.
• Knead thoroughly for 8-10 minutes to develop gluten, resulting in fluffy, tender texture with great rise.
• Place dough in draft-free, warm spot around 80-85°F for optimal proofing and volume expansion.
• Use dental floss or sharp serrated knife to cut rolls uniformly, preventing uneven baking and size differences.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg