This Cream Cheese Frosting for Cinnamon Rolls is creamy, thick, and luscious! It’s quick and easy to whip up, requires no mixer, and can be made ahead of time. You really can’t go wrong with this frosting. It’s the perfect addition to your cinnamon rolls.

Cream Cheese Frosting For Cinnamon Rolls in a bowl with a spatula.

Oriana’s Thoughts On The Recipe

Cinnamon rolls are delightful on their own, but add a rich, creamy layer of homemade cream cheese frosting, and they become irresistible.

This frosting is quick and easy to whip up, requires no mixer, and can be made beforehand.

The texture of this frosting is out of this world! It’s creamy, thick, and luscious – everything you want to top off your warm, gooey cinnamon rolls.

Whether it’s a lazy Sunday morning, a special brunch with friends, or a festive holiday breakfast, this cream cheese frosting is the perfect addition to your cinnamon rolls.

If you want the best egg-free cinnamon roll recipe, check out my Easy Eggless Cinnamon Rolls recipe.

a cinnamon roll in a plate with Cream Cheese Frosting.

What I Love About This Recipe

Ready in a Jiffy!: One of the best things about this cream cheese frosting is how quickly it comes together with just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort.

No Mixer Required: Leave your mixer in the cupboard because you won’t need it for this recipe! A simple bowl and a spatula or whisk are all you need to blend the ingredients into a smooth, luscious frosting. This means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your cinnamon rolls.

Luxuriously Creamy and Thick: This cream cheese frosting is wonderfully thick and creamy, making it perfect for spreading or piping onto your cinnamon rolls.

Make-Ahead Magic: One of the greatest conveniences of this recipe is that it can be made ahead of time. Simply prepare the frosting, store it in the refrigerator, and it will be ready to go when your cinnamon rolls come out of the oven.

Customizable to Your Taste: Love a hint of lemon? Add some zest! Want it a bit spicier? Sprinkle in some cinnamon. This frosting is easily adaptable to your preferences, making it a fun recipe to experiment with and make your own.

Potential Cons Of The Recipe

Even the best recipes can have a few drawbacks. Here are some potential cons to be aware of:

  • Lumps: The icing can turn lumpy when the butter and/or cream cheese are not at the right temperature. The butter has to be softened to the point where it resembles a face cream, almost melted but not quite. This texture is ideal for blending seamlessly with other ingredients, but it’s important to avoid over-softening it to the point where it becomes greasy or starts to melt.
  • Requires Refrigeration: Cream cheese frosting must be stored in the fridge, which might be inconvenient if you prefer to keep your frosting at room temperature.

Tips To Mitigate These Cons

  • Ensure Proper Butter Consistency: To avoid lumps, make sure your butter is very soft, like a face cream—smooth and almost melted, but not quite. This will help it blend seamlessly with the other ingredients.
  • Bring to Room Temperature: If you’re making the frosting ahead of time, take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to use it. This will give it time to soften and become spreadable.

Ingredients You’ll Need, Substitutions & Notes

Ingredients needed to make Cream Cheese Frosting For Cinnamon Rolls.

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).

  • Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. Ensure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth texture. If you only have salted butter, simply omit the added salt from the recipe.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and ensures a smooth, creamy consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a lovely depth of flavor. Pure vanilla extract is best.
  • Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors. I prefer kosher or sea salt. If you only have table salt handy, I recommend reducing the amount to half.
  • Heavy Cream and Milk (Optional): These can be added to adjust the consistency of your frosting. Use heavy cream for a richer, thicker frosting, or milk for a lighter version.

Process Overview: Step-by-Step Photos

Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).

Step 1 – Combine Cream Cheese and Butter

Mix the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter in a medium-sized bowl using a spatula until smooth and free of lumps. If the cream cheese and butter mixture is too stiff, microwave for 10 seconds to soften it.

Step 2 – Add Powdered Sugar

Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese and butter mixture; mix until smooth and fully incorporated.

Cream Cheese Frosting For Cinnamon Rolls in a bowl with a spatula.

Step 3 – Add Vanilla and Salt

Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the mixture. Mix well to combine.

Step 4 – Adjust Consistency

Adjust thickness, if necessary. If the icing is too thick, add a splash of milk, a teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. The glaze should be pourable but not too runny.

Cream Cheese Icing For Cinnamon Rolls in a bowl with a spatula.

Recipe Tips

  • Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Butter: To avoid lumps, make sure your butter is very soft, like a face cream—smooth and almost melted, but not quite. This will help it blend seamlessly with the other ingredients.
  • Sift the Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest frosting, sift the powdered sugar before mixing it in.
  • Adjust Consistency: For thicker icing, skip the heavy cream or milk; for a thinner glaze, add more milk.

Food Allergy Swaps

Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, you can easily swap out the dairy ingredients for non-dairy alternatives. Instead of butter and cream cheese, use vegan butter and vegan cream cheese.  There are many brands available in stores. I usually use Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter and Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original. Check out my favorite dairy-free substitutes here.

Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check ingredient labels to ensure they haven’t been processed in facilities that handle gluten.

Variations & Additions

  • Citrus Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for a fresh, tangy twist.
  • Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth and complement the cinnamon rolls perfectly. This variation would go perfectly with my Eggless Apple Cinnamon Rolls.
  • Maple Syrup: Substitute a portion of the powdered sugar with maple syrup for a unique flavor.
  • Coffee: For a mocha twist, dissolve a teaspoon of instant coffee in a small amount of hot water and mix it into the frosting. This adds a rich, deep flavor that pairs wonderfully with cinnamon rolls.
  • Strawberry: Add a few tablespoons of pureed fresh strawberries to the frosting for a fruity, pink-hued variation. This adds a delightful berry flavor and a touch of color. Check out my To Die For Easy Strawberry Rolls (Egg-Free)
  • Browned Butter: Replace the regular butter with browned butter to add a nutty, caramel-like flavor to the frosting. To brown butter, cook it in a pan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma, then let it cool slightly before mixing into the frosting.
Strawberries frosting for rolls in a bowl.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator and re-whip briefly before using to get to a spreadable consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this frosting ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this frosting up to a week in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

Can I use this frosting for other baked goods?

Absolutely. This versatile frosting works great on cakes, cupcakes, and even cookies.

Why is my frosting too thin?

If your frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add a splash of heavy cream or milk.

closeup of Cream Cheese Frosting For Cinnamon Rolls in a bowl with a spatula.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

❤️ Love what you see? Subscribe to Mommy’s Home Cooking email list, so you’ll never miss a recipe! Follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more fun! 

Recipe Card 📖

Cream Cheese Frosting For Cinnamon Rolls in a bowl with a spatula.

Cream Cheese Frosting For Cinnamon Rolls

Oriana Romero
This Cream Cheese Frosting for Cinnamon Rolls is creamy, thick, and luscious! It’s quick and easy to whip up, requires no mixer, and can be made ahead of time. You really can’t go wrong with this frosting. It’s the perfect addition to your cinnamon rolls.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 servings (enough to frost 12 rolls)

Ingredients
 

  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) salt
  • 1 – 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk optional – more or less as needed

Important

Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!

Instructions
 

Combine Cream Cheese and Butter:

  • In a medium-sized bowl, using a spatula, mix the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and free of lumps. If the cream cheese and butter mixture is too stif, mircrowave for 10 seconds to soften.

Add Powdered Sugar:

  • Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese and butter mixture; mix until smooth and fully incorporated.

Add Vanilla and Salt:

  • Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the mixture. Mix well to combine.

Adjust Consistency:

  • Adjust thickness, if necessary. If the icing is too thick, add a splash of milk, a teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. The glaze should be pourable but not too runny.
  • Use a spatula to spread a generous amount of the icing over the top of each cinnamon roll when fresh from the oven. Check out my Easy Eggless Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
Oriana’s Notes
 
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator and re-whip briefly before using to get to a spreadable consistency.
Food Allergy Swaps:
  • Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, you can easily swap out the dairy ingredients for non-dairy alternatives. Instead of butter and cream cheese, use vegan butter and vegan cream cheese.  There are many brands available in stores. I usually use Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter and Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original. Check out my favorite dairy-free substitutes here.
  • Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check ingredient labels to ensure they haven’t been processed in facilities that handle gluten.
 
Recipe Tips:
  • Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Butter: To avoid lumps, make sure your butter is very soft, like a face cream—smooth and almost melted, but not quite. This will help it blend seamlessly with the other ingredients.
  • Sift the Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest frosting, sift the powdered sugar before mixing it in.
  • Adjust Consistency: For thicker icing, skip the heavy cream or milk; for a thinner glaze, add more milk.
 
Variations & Additions:
  • Citrus Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for a fresh, tangy twist.
  • Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth and complement the cinnamon rolls perfectly.
  • Maple Syrup: Substitute a portion of the powdered sugar with maple syrup for a unique flavor.
  • Coffee: For a mocha twist, dissolve a teaspoon of instant coffee in a small amount of hot water and mix it into the frosting. This adds a rich, deep flavor that pairs wonderfully with cinnamon rolls.
  • Strawberry: Add a few tablespoons of pureed fresh strawberries or strawberry jam to the frosting for a fruity, pink-hued variation. This adds a delightful berry flavor and a touch of color.
  • Browned Butter: Replace the regular butter with browned butter to add a nutty, caramel-like flavor to the frosting. To brown butter, cook it in a pan over medium heat until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma, then let it cool slightly before mixing into the frosting.
 
I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!Recipe reviews on the website are extremely valuable to other readers online. So, please don’t forget to give it a 5-star rating below.

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 159mgPotassium: 29mgSugar: 21gVitamin A: 374IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.04mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Share your Creations!Tag @mommyshomecooking on Instagram and hashtag it #mommyshomecooking or Join my Private Facebook Group
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 181
Keyword cream cheese frosting icing recipe

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.