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Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 52 reviews

These Gingerbread Spice Cinnamon Rolls with maple frosting are a delightful holiday treat combining warm spices like ginger, cloves, and nutmeg with a rich cinnamon filling. Soft yeast dough, infused with molasses and spiced brown sugar filling, is rolled and baked to golden perfection, then topped with a creamy, sweet maple cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast or dessert during festive occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. Activate Yeast: Place milk in a microwave-safe measuring cup and heat for 30-45 seconds until it reaches 100-110°F. Add yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar from the sugar measured for the dough. Stir and let sit until foamy, a few minutes.
  2. Mix Dough Base: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine remaining sugar, softened butter, salt, and egg. Mix briefly until the butter is somewhat distributed but the mixture may still look chunky.
  3. Add Yeast Mixture and Flour: Pour in the milk and yeast mixture. Stir for a few seconds, then add flour and mix slowly with the paddle attachment just until it starts sticking.
  4. Knead the Dough: Replace the paddle with the dough hook. Knead on low speed until the dough forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the bowl.
  5. First Rise: Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Transfer the dough ball into the bowl and lightly spray the top with cooking spray. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise 2-4 hours until doubled in size. Note: Rising time may be longer in a cold environment.
  6. Prepare Filling Paste: In a bowl, combine butter, molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and flour. Stir until it forms a smooth paste.
  7. Roll and Fill Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 10×15 inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly over the surface, reaching all edges.
  8. Shape Rolls: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal rounds.
  9. Second Rise: Arrange rolls in a sprayed 9×13-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes to 1 hour until puffy. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate overnight to bake later.
  10. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). If chilled, allow rolls to warm slightly while oven heats. Remove plastic wrap and bake rolls for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown on top.
  11. Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, and maple syrup with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cinnamon (if using), mixing until smooth. Stir in vanilla and maple extract.
  12. Frost and Serve: Spread frosting over warm rolls and serve immediately for best flavor.

Notes

  • You can make and assemble the cinnamon rolls up to 24 hours in advance; chill tightly wrapped and allow to come to room temperature to finish rising before baking.
  • Store leftover cinnamon rolls loosely covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • You can freeze the dough or baked cinnamon rolls for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat before serving.
  • If you do not have maple extract for the frosting, you can substitute additional vanilla and maple syrup, though the flavor will be milder.
  • Adjust rising time based on the temperature of your kitchen environment.

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, gingerbread spice, maple frosting, holiday breakfast, yeast dough, spiced rolls

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/gingerbread-spice-cinnamon-rolls-with-maple-frosting-recipe/