admin1 Bring the magic of Christmas baking into your kitchen with these delicious Christmas Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Rolls! Combining the soft, fluffy texture of classic cinnamon rolls with the sweet, buttery flavour of sugar cookies, this festive recipe is a holiday treat everyone will love.
These homemade cinnamon rolls feature a tender yeast dough, a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and a creamy sugar-cookie-inspired frosting topped with colourful Christmas sprinkles. They are perfect for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday brunch, festive parties, or a cosy afternoon treat with a cup of hot chocolate.
The best part? Your kitchen will smell absolutely wonderful as these rolls bake!
Recipe Details
Prep time
30 minutes
Rise time
1 hour 30 minutes
Cook time
20–25 minutes
Total time
Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings
12 rolls
Oven temperature
350°F (175°C)
Ingredients
For the cinnamon roll dough
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cinnamon sugar filling
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- â…“ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons Christmas sugar cookie sprinkles (optional)
For the sugar cookie frosting
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- Red and green Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, instant yeast, and granulated sugar.
Add the egg, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until combined.
Gradually add the flour, stirring until a soft dough forms.
The milk should be warm rather than hot, ideally around 100–110°F (38–43°C), to help activate the yeast without damaging it.
Step 2: Knead the dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
Knead for approximately 8–10 minutes by hand, or 5–7 minutes using a stand mixer with a dough hook.
The dough should become smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
If it feels excessively sticky, add a little flour, one tablespoon at a time. Avoid adding too much flour, as this can make the rolls dense.
Step 3: Let the dough rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Allow it to rise in a warm place for approximately 60–90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Rising time may vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
Step 4: Prepare the cinnamon sugar filling
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon.
Mix until evenly combined.
Step 5: Roll out the dough
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down.
Roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle approximately 16 × 12 inches (40 × 30 cm).
Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface, leaving a small border along one long edge.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the butter.
Add a few Christmas sprinkles if desired.
Step 6: Shape the cinnamon rolls
Starting from the long edge opposite the uncovered border, roll the dough tightly into a log.
Pinch the seam gently to seal.
Using a sharp knife or unflavoured dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
Arrange the rolls in a greased 9 × 13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each one.
Step 7: Allow the rolls to rise again
Cover the baking dish and allow the rolls to rise for another 30–45 minutes.
They should look noticeably puffy and nearly fill the gaps between them.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 8: Bake until golden
Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden on top and cooked through.
Avoid overbaking, as this can make the rolls dry.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the rolls to cool for approximately 10 minutes before frosting.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Frosting
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add vanilla extract and optional almond extract.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your preferred consistency.
- Beat for another 1–2 minutes until fluffy.
- Spread the frosting over the slightly warm cinnamon rolls.
- Finish with red and green Christmas sprinkles.
For an extra festive appearance, drizzle additional frosting over the rolls in a decorative pattern.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
- Use room-temperature ingredients: This helps the dough mix evenly and rise properly.
- Don’t overheat the milk: Very hot milk can damage the yeast.
- Knead until elastic: Proper kneading creates soft, fluffy rolls.
- Roll tightly: A firm roll helps create beautiful cinnamon swirls.
- Avoid overbaking: Remove the rolls when they are lightly golden and cooked through.
- Frost while slightly warm: This allows the frosting to soften beautifully over the rolls.
Make-Ahead Christmas Cinnamon Rolls
These rolls are perfect for preparing ahead of Christmas morning.
Overnight preparation
- Prepare the dough and shape the cinnamon rolls as directed.
- Arrange them in the baking dish.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, remove the rolls from the refrigerator and allow them to sit at room temperature until puffy, approximately 45–90 minutes.
- Bake as directed and frost before serving.
This makes Christmas morning easier and allows you to enjoy freshly baked cinnamon rolls without preparing the dough from scratch.
Variations to Try
Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls
Add ½ teaspoon almond extract to the dough and sprinkle festive sugar-cookie sprinkles over the filling.
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Replace half the cinnamon with ground ginger and add a pinch of nutmeg and cloves.
White Chocolate Christmas Rolls
Sprinkle white chocolate chips over the cinnamon filling before rolling.
Peppermint Christmas Rolls
Add a small amount of peppermint extract to the frosting and finish with crushed peppermint candies.
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Store frosted rolls for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted baked rolls for up to 2 months.
To reheat, warm individual rolls in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in an oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Estimated nutrition per roll, including sugar cookie frosting.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 61 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 30 g |
| Sodium | 240 mg |
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the ingredients and frosting quantities used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes. Dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk with a little sugar and allow it to stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy before continuing with the recipe.
Why are my cinnamon rolls dense?
Dense rolls may result from adding too much flour, insufficient kneading, or not allowing enough rising time. The dough should be soft, elastic, and allowed to double in size before shaping.
Can I make these cinnamon rolls without cream cheese?
Absolutely! Replace the cream cheese with additional softened butter and powdered sugar to create a traditional sugar-cookie-style buttercream frosting.
Can I make smaller cinnamon rolls?
Yes. Cut the dough into 16 smaller rolls instead of 12. Reduce the baking time slightly and check for doneness around 18–22 minutes.
What makes these cinnamon rolls taste like sugar cookies?
The combination of vanilla, butter, sweet frosting, and optional almond extract gives these cinnamon rolls their distinctive sugar-cookie-inspired flavour.
