🎉 Introduction
Nothing says holiday cheer like the smell of gingerbread baking in the oven. These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls take that spiced aroma and swirl it right into pillowy-soft rolls filled with cinnamon, ginger, and molasses sweetness. Topped with a creamy glaze, these rolls are festive, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible.
They’re perfect for Christmas morning, cozy December weekends, or anytime you want to bring a little holiday magic into your kitchen.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)
- Rolling pin
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Knife or floss (for cutting rolls)
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Oven
- Wire rack
🛒 Ingredients
🌾 Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk (110°F)
- ¼ cup molasses
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
🍬 Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
🍥 Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 – Make the Dough
- Warm milk and whisk in yeast, sugar, and molasses. Let sit until foamy, 5–10 minutes.
- Mix in eggs, butter, salt, and spices.
- Gradually add flour, kneading until dough is soft and elastic (about 6–8 minutes).
- Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours, until doubled.
Step 2 – Prepare the Filling
5. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a bowl.
6. Roll dough into a 14×18-inch rectangle.
7. Spread softened butter over dough, then sprinkle filling evenly.
Step 3 – Roll & Cut
8. Roll dough tightly into a log from the long side.
9. Slice into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or floss.
10. Place rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 4 – Rise Again
11. Cover and let rise another 30–40 minutes until puffy.
Step 5 – Bake
12. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
13. Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 6 – Glaze & Serve
14. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a smooth glaze.
15. Drizzle over warm rolls and enjoy!
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 12 rolls
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Rise Time: 2 hours
- Bake Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~3 hours
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store covered at room temp for 2 days or in fridge up to 5 days.
- Reheat in microwave 20–30 seconds or oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
- Freeze baked rolls (without glaze) up to 2 months; thaw and glaze before serving.
🥄 Variations
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap glaze for rich cream cheese icing.
- Sticky Bun Style: Add pecans and drizzle caramel over baked rolls.
- Extra Ginger Kick: Add crystallized ginger pieces to the filling.
- Overnight Version: Let shaped rolls rise in the fridge overnight, then bake fresh in the morning.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — refrigerate shaped rolls overnight and bake in the morning. - Do I have to use molasses?
Yes, it’s key for gingerbread flavor — but dark brown sugar can help if you don’t have it. - Can I use instant yeast?
Yes — no need to proof, just mix directly with flour. - What if my dough is sticky?
Add a little extra flour, 1 tbsp at a time. - Can I make these without a stand mixer?
Absolutely — knead by hand about 8–10 minutes. - Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze shaped, unbaked rolls; thaw overnight and bake. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes, perfect for holiday brunch buffets. - What spices make it “gingerbread”?
Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. - How do I get extra fluffy rolls?
Don’t rush the rising — give the dough full proofing time. - Can I make mini versions?
Yes, slice smaller rolls and reduce bake time by ~8 minutes.
🏁 Conclusion
These Deliciously Fluffy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are everything you want in a holiday breakfast — soft, spiced, sweet, and festive. With molasses, gingerbread spices, and a drizzle of glaze, they bring holiday magic straight to your table.
Deliciously Fluffy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls for a Festive Holiday Breakfast
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Warm milk and whisk in yeast, sugar, and molasses. Let sit until foamy, 5–10 minutes.
- Mix in eggs, butter, salt, and spices.
- Gradually add flour, kneading until dough is soft and elastic (about 6–8 minutes).
- Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours, until doubled.
- Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a bowl.
- Roll dough into a 14×18-inch rectangle.
- Spread softened butter over dough, then sprinkle filling evenly.
- Roll dough tightly into a log from the long side.
- Slice into 12 even rolls using a sharp knife or floss.
- Place rolls into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cover and let rise another 30–40 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a smooth glaze.
- Drizzle over warm rolls and enjoy!
Notes
Yes — refrigerate shaped rolls overnight and bake in the morning. Do I have to use molasses?
Yes, it’s key for gingerbread flavor — but dark brown sugar can help if you don’t have it. Can I use instant yeast?
Yes — no need to proof, just mix directly with flour. What if my dough is sticky?
Add a little extra flour, 1 tbsp at a time. Can I make these without a stand mixer?
Absolutely — knead by hand about 8–10 minutes. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze shaped, unbaked rolls; thaw overnight and bake. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, perfect for holiday brunch buffets. What spices make it “gingerbread”?
Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. How do I get extra fluffy rolls?
Don’t rush the rising — give the dough full proofing time. Can I make mini versions?
Yes, slice smaller rolls and reduce bake time by ~8 minutes. 🏁 Conclusion
These Deliciously Fluffy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are everything you want in a holiday breakfast — soft, spiced, sweet, and festive. With molasses, gingerbread spices, and a drizzle of glaze, they bring holiday magic straight to your table.
