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a pan of gingerbread cinnamon rolls topped with eggnog frosting

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Krista Stechman
The ooey gooey cinnamon rolls that you love packed with gingerbread flavor! Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect holiday breakfast!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Proofing time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Course Breakfast, dessert
Cuisine american
Servings 12 people
Calories 458 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • Rolling Pin
  • thermometer
  • ceramic baking dish

Ingredients
  

Yeast Mixture

  • ¾ cup warm water 110°F-115°F
  • cup brown sugar
  • 1 pkg active yeast 1 pkg = 2¼ tsp

Remaining Dough Ingredients

  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • cups all purpose flour plus a little for sprinkling

Gingerbread Filling

  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temp
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon nutmeg
  • teaspoon allspice
  • 3 tablespoon molasses

Eggnog Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese room temp
  • ½ cup butter room temp
  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-4 tablespoon eggnog
  • 1 pinch nutmeg optional

Instructions
 

Activating the Yeast

  • Warm your water to 110°F-115°F, whisk in the brown sugar until dissolved then sprinkle the yeast mixture over the top
  • Cover the yeast mixture, place it in a warm spot and let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy
    yeast getting frothy

Mixing the Remaining Dough Ingredients

  • Stir together the milk and vinegar until it thickens slightly
  • Add the oil, egg and salt. Mix well
  • Whisk the milk mixture into the yeast mixture
  • Add 75% of the flour into the yeast mixture and start to combine. Add the remaining flour and mix just until the dough starts to form a ball ( I use my hand to mix the dough together)
  • Place the dough ball into a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise for 60 minutes in a warm spot
    cinnamon roll dough before rising

Rolling the Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3-4 times
    gingerbread cinnamon roll dough after it rises
  • Roll the dough into a rectangle about ⅛-1/4 inch thick
  • Smear the butter over the dough
    gingerbread cinnamon roll dough rolled out to ¼ inch thick
  • Mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, nutmeg and allspice then sprinkle it evenly over the dough then drizzle with molasses
    brown sugar and spice mix sprinkled over dough with molasses drizzled on top
  • Roll the dough tightly starting at a long end into a log
    gingerbread cinnamon roll dough rolled into a log
  • Cut the dough in half, then cut each section in half. You should have 4 pieces of dough. Cut each one of those into thirds for a total of 12 rolls
  • Place the rolls in a baking dish, cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot for 45-60 minutes
    raw gingerbread cinnamon roll dough in a pan
  • Making the Eggnog Frosting
  • While the dough is rising make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese and butter together in a bowl with a hand mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed for 2 minutes
  • Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix slowly until combined then turn back to medium speed and beat 2 more minutes until light and fluffy
    eggnog frosting in a stand mixer
  • Slowly mix in the eggnog until completely combined. Add nutmeg if using

Baking the Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F
  • Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes (see notes)
  • Smear the eggnog frosting over the top and enjoy while still warm!
    baked gingerbread cinnamon rolls with eggnog frosting

Notes

Baking time could vary depending on the pan you use and how tightly the rolls are packed in together in the pan. For the 20-25 minute baking time I used a 13x9 pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 458kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 261mgPotassium: 211mgFiber: 1gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 544IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg
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