Introduction

Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls with maple frosting bring cozy holiday flavors to a classic breakfast favorite. Soft, tender rolls are filled with warm spices and topped with a sweet, creamy maple glaze. Perfect for a festive morning treat or special occasion.

The image shows a close-up of a cinnamon roll with soft, gooey texture. The roll has a visible swirl pattern with a dark brown cinnamon filling inside. The top is covered with creamy, smooth icing that drips slightly down the sides, giving it a shiny appearance. It is placed on a white plate with ridged edges, set on a white marbled surface. Near the plate, a woman's hand is holding a piece of the cinnamon roll with a silver fork resting beside it. In the background, two cinnamon sticks and a striped cloth add a warm touch to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

For the Dough:

1 package (7g) active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
¾ cup (177ml) warm non-fat milk
⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar
3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)

For the Filling:

6 tablespoons (84g) unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon molasses
¾ cup (150g) packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons (15g) all-purpose flour

For the Frosting:

4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 cups (226g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon maple extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the dough by heating milk in a microwave-safe cup for 30-45 seconds until between 100-110°F. Stir in yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar, and let sit until foamy for a few minutes.
Step 2: In a stand mixer bowl, combine remaining sugar, softened butter, salt, and egg. Mix until butter is distributed, even if slightly chunky. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir briefly.
Step 3: Add flour and mix with the paddle attachment until dough begins to stick. Swap to the dough hook and mix on low speed until a ball forms in the bowl’s center.
Step 4: Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough ball inside, spray the top lightly, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 2–4 hours until doubled in size.
Step 5: Prepare the filling by stirring together butter, brown sugar, flour, molasses, and spices to form a paste.
Step 6: Roll the dough onto a floured surface into a 10×15-inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, covering to the edges.
Step 7: Roll the dough tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 equal rounds. Arrange rolls in a 9×13-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Step 8: Allow rolls to rise 30 minutes to 1 hour until puffed, or cover and refrigerate overnight to bake later.
Step 9: Preheat oven to 350°F. If chilled, let rolls warm while oven heats. Bake uncovered 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
Step 10: For the frosting, blend cream cheese, butter, and maple syrup until smooth. Add powdered sugar and cinnamon, mix well, then stir in vanilla and maple extract.
Step 11: Frost the warm rolls generously and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For stronger maple flavor in the frosting, add extra maple syrup if you don’t have maple extract, or simply increase vanilla extract amount.
Make and assemble rolls up to 24 hours ahead; keep chilled and bring to room temperature to finish rising before baking.
Use whole milk instead of non-fat milk for richer dough.
Freeze unbaked or baked rolls for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before baking or reheating.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or oven for a warm, fresh taste. For longer storage, freeze the rolls tightly wrapped and thaw before warming.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a cinnamon roll placed on a white plate with a scalloped edge, sitting on a white marbled texture surface. The cinnamon roll has two visible layers; the bottom layer is golden brown dough with a soft texture, and the top layer is swirled with a darker brown cinnamon filling. The entire roll is covered with a thick layer of creamy white icing that looks smooth and slightly melted, dripping down the sides. A woman's hand is seen holding a piece of the cinnamon roll, which shows a fluffy, light interior. In the background, two cinnamon sticks rest horizontally on the white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the rolls and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. Just let them come to room temperature to finish rising before placing in the oven.

What if I don’t have maple extract for the frosting?

You can substitute with extra pure maple syrup and a bit more vanilla extract. The flavor will be slightly less intense, but the frosting will still taste delicious.