Cozy Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting Recipe

Cozy winter mornings sparkle with these delectable gingerbread spice cinnamon rolls that promise pure comfort.

Warm kitchen aromas will dance around you, inviting memories of sweet holiday moments.

Soft, pillowy dough swirls with rich spices and delicate maple notes.

Cinnamon and ginger create a magical blend that feels like a warm embrace.

Delicate frosting drizzled on top adds a luxurious touch to these irresistible treats.

Baking these rolls will fill your home with an enchanting fragrance that beckons everyone to the kitchen.

You won’t be able to resist the first delightful bite of these mouthwatering rolls.

Smart Baking Tips for Gingerbread Rolls with Frosting

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure milk is warm (not hot) to help yeast activate without killing it, creating a fluffy rise for your rolls.
• Control Dough Consistency: Add flour gradually while kneading to prevent dense, dry rolls and achieve a soft, pillowy texture.
• Spread Filling Strategically: Leave a small border when spreading filling to prevent leaking and ensure even distribution of gingerbread spices.
• Roll with Care: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut rolls cleanly without squishing the delicate dough and maintain perfect circular shape.
• Frost at the Right Temperature: Wait until rolls are warm but not hot when adding maple frosting to prevent melting and ensure a beautiful, smooth topping.

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting Aroma

• Savor the delightful Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls that bring festive cheer right to your kitchen.
• These rolls perfectly capture winter warmth with their cozy gingerbread spices, making every bite feel like a holiday embrace.
• The recipe offers straightforward steps that even novice bakers can master, ensuring delicious results without complicated techniques.
• Guaranteed to impress family and friends, these rolls combine familiar cinnamon roll comfort with exciting gingerbread flavor variations that delight all ages.

Ingredients List for Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundation for soft and tender rolls with good structure.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for creating rise and developing bread's texture.

• Warm Milk: Activates yeast and provides moisture for tender dough.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and helps create soft texture.

• Egg, Egg Yolk: Provide structure, richness, and help bind ingredients.

• Ground Cinnamon: Classic warm flavor core to traditional rolls.
• Ground Ginger: Adds signature gingerbread warmth and depth.
• Ground Cloves: Provides intense, aromatic spice note.
• Ground Nutmeg: Completes the traditional gingerbread spice profile.

• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and provides background sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: Offers deeper caramel notes in filling.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base for maple frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken frosting.
• Maple Syrup: Delivers signature sweet maple flavor.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complementary warmth.

How to Roll and Bake Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Whisk warm milk, yeast, and a splash of sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture sit and become frothy for 5-10 minutes.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

• Melted butter
• Remaining sugar
• Whole egg
• Extra egg yolk

Add the foamy yeast mixture and gradually incorporate flour and salt. Knead the mixture for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and stretchy.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a cozy spot for 1-1.5 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Craft the Spicy Filling

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Ground cloves
• Nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Step 4: Shape the Rolls

Roll the dough into a large rectangle on a flour-dusted surface.

Spread the gingerbread spice filling evenly across the surface.

Tightly roll the dough from the long side, creating a log.

Slice the log into 12 equal rolls.

Place rolls in a greased baking dish and let them rise for 30-45 minutes.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 6: Whip Up Maple Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Dash of salt

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Spread the maple frosting over warm rolls and enjoy immediately!

Keeping Cinnamon Rolls Fresh and Frosted

• Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cover rolls with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality and taste.
• Warm refrigerated rolls at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, wrapped in foil to retain moisture. Unwrap for the last 2-3 minutes to crisp the edges.
• Heat individual rolls for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Add a small damp paper towel on top to keep them soft and prevent hardening.

Perfect Pairings for Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

• Pair these gingerbread cinnamon rolls with a dark roast coffee that highlights the warm spices, cutting through the sweetness with rich, bold notes.
• Enjoy a smooth bourbon or spiced whiskey alongside the rolls, matching the deep gingerbread flavors and providing a delightful adult twist to breakfast.
• Choose a chai or spiced black tea that echoes the cinnamon and ginger undertones, creating a harmonious and comforting flavor experience.
• Serve a late harvest Riesling or port wine, whose sweet characteristics beautifully complement the maple frosting and gingerbread spices.

Creative Spins on the Cinnamon Roll Recipe

• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Rolls: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, adding xanthan gum for better texture and structure.
• Vegan Spice Rolls: Substitute dairy milk with almond milk, use plant-based butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, and swap cream cheese frosting with cashew-based maple cream.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Create low-carb rolls using almond flour and coconut flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and use sugar-free maple extract in the frosting.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk, coconut oil in place of butter, and dairy-free cream cheese for the maple frosting.

Common Questions About Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

• Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Use the same amount, but skip the proofing step and mix it directly with dry ingredients.

• How do I know if my dough has risen properly?

The dough should double in size and when you gently press it with a finger, the indentation should slowly spring back but not completely disappear.

• Can I prepare the rolls the night before baking?

Absolutely! After cutting the rolls, cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to let them come to room temperature and rise.

• What if my dough isn't rising?

Make sure your yeast is fresh and the environment is warm. Ideal rising temperature is around 80-90°F. You can create a warm spot by placing the covered bowl in a slightly warm oven or near a warm appliance.

Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls weave holiday magic into classic breakfast pastries, blending warm spices with sweet maple glaze. Comfort meets festive cheer in these irresistible rolls you’ll crave all winter long.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
• 4 ounces (115 g) cream cheese, softened

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) warm milk
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Spices and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, softened
• Pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining warm milk with the granules and a hint of sugar. Allow the mixture to bloom and become frothy, indicating the yeast is alive and ready.
2. Create a rich base for the dough by blending melted butter with remaining sugar, whole egg, and extra yolk until smooth and well-incorporated.
3. Merge the activated yeast with the butter mixture, then gradually introduce flour and salt. Knead the developing dough thoroughly until it transforms into a silky, elastic texture.
4. Transfer the dough to a generously oiled container, shield with a clean cloth, and permit rising in a draft-free environment until it doubles in volume, roughly 60-90 minutes.
5. Craft the gingerbread spice filling by whisking butter with brown sugar and a medley of warming spices – cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg – until uniformly combined.
6. Stretch the risen dough into a rectangular shape across a flour-dusted surface, ensuring an even thickness.
7. Distribute the spiced filling across the dough’s surface, maintaining a consistent layer from edge to edge.
8. Tightly roll the dough from the lengthier side, creating a compact cylindrical shape.
9. Slice the roll into twelve uniform sections and nestle them within a buttered baking vessel.
10. Allow the rolls a secondary proofing period, letting them rise and become puffy for approximately 35-40 minutes.
11. Heat the oven to 350°F and bake the rolls until they achieve a golden, enticing complexion, approximately 22-27 minutes.
12. Whip the maple frosting by blending cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and a touch of salt until achieving a luxurious, smooth consistency.
13. Lavish the warm rolls with the decadent maple frosting immediately before serving.

Notes

• Activate yeast carefully by ensuring milk temperature is between 100-110°F to guarantee proper activation without killing the microorganisms.
• Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a soft and stretchy texture that results in pillowy cinnamon rolls.
• Allow sufficient rising time in a draft-free, warm environment around 80-85°F to help dough double in volume and enhance flavor development.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese to ensure smooth mixing and consistent batter texture.
• Adjust spice intensity by increasing or decreasing ginger, cloves, and nutmeg according to personal preference without compromising overall balance.
• Substitute dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and vegan butter for lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs.
• Cut rolls uniformly using dental floss or a sharp serrated knife to achieve consistent size and even baking.
• Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days, reheating gently before serving.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg