Gooey Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

The Perfect Christmas Morning Treat

Celebrate the holiday season with these gingerbread cinnamon rolls warm, fluffy, and irresistibly spiced. Swirled with a rich gingerbread filling, smothered in creamy eggnog frosting, and finished with a sticky brown sugar caramel glaze, this indulgent breakfast dessert is pure festive magic. They’re the perfect sweet centerpiece for Christmas morning.

Why These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Stand Out

Unlike typical cinnamon rolls, this recipe delivers deep gingerbread flavors with hints of molasses, honey, and spices like clove, allspice, and nutmeg. The addition of an eggnog-based cream cheese frosting brings a unique holiday twist. Each bite melts in your mouth with a soft, buttery texture and a decadent sweetness that’s hard to resist.

Essential Ingredients for a Holiday Classic

Dry Ingredients

• 4 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 4 tsp white sugar
• 3 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp cinnamon (for filling)
• 3 ½ tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ginger (extra for flavor boost)
• ¾ tsp ground allspice
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ⅜ tsp ground clove
• ⅛ tsp cloves
• 1 ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 pinch salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp honey
• ⅝ cup molasses
• 1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 ⅞ cups unsalted butter (softened)
• 6 oz cream cheese
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 7 tbsp eggnog or heavy cream
• ¼ cup eggnog (for frosting)

How to Make Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Warm the milk until it’s lukewarm—not hot. Add a teaspoon of sugar and sprinkle in the yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until bubbly.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and half of the brown sugar. Add in the eggs, vanilla, molasses, honey, and activated yeast mixture. Knead until a soft dough forms. Slowly add softened butter while kneading. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.

Step 3: Make the Filling

Combine the remaining brown sugar with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix well with softened butter until a paste forms.

Step 4: Roll and Fill

Roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread the spiced sugar paste over the surface. Roll tightly from one long end to the other. Cut into 12 even rolls.

Step 5: Make the Caramel Base

In a saucepan, melt some butter and mix in brown sugar, molasses, and a touch of cream. Pour this into the bottom of your baking dish.

Step 6: Bake the Rolls

Place rolls on top of the caramel base. Cover and let them rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and puffy.

Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

Whip together cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and eggnog. Add a splash of vanilla for extra warmth. Frost the rolls while they’re warm so it melts into every crevice.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of spiced eggnog. These rolls are perfect for Christmas breakfast, brunch, or a cozy winter dessert.

Make-Ahead Tips for Holiday Ease

You can prepare these rolls a day ahead. After rolling and slicing, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them rise at room temperature for 45 minutes before baking.

Why You’ll Make Them Every Year

These Christmas cinnamon rolls are rich, festive, and full of bold holiday flavor. The gooey centers, spiced aroma, and creamy frosting make them unforgettable. Your guests will ask for them year after year.

Final Thoughts

Warm, spicy, sweet, and buttery these gingerbread cinnamon rolls are the ultimate holiday baking recipe. Treat yourself and your loved ones to something truly special this season.

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Ready to fill your kitchen with the scent of Christmas? These gingerbread cinnamon rolls are waiting. Bake them once, and they’ll become a tradition.