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Festive Cinnamon Rolls

A plate of festive cinnamon rolls topped with rich vanilla icing, set against a cozy holiday background with lights and candles.
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Festive Cinnamon Rolls are a holiday-inspired twist on the classic breakfast favorite, featuring a rich molasses dough, spiced gingerbread filling, and a luscious spiced brown butter frosting—perfect for Christmas morning or winter brunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dry active yeast
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (filling)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (filling)
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves (filling)
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened (filling)
  • 2 tablespoons molasses (filling)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (filling)
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (frosting)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (frosting)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (frosting)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (frosting)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (frosting)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (frosting)
  • Pinch ground cloves (frosting)

Instructions

  1. Whisk sugar, yeast, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and 1 3/4 cups flour in a stand mixer bowl.
  2. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter until melted and between 105°F–110°F.
  3. Add milk mixture, egg, and molasses to the dry ingredients. Mix until moistened, gradually add remaining flour until a dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough for 4–5 minutes until soft, then transfer to a buttered bowl. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in one bowl. In another, combine butter, molasses, and salt to make the filling.
  6. Roll the dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Spread molasses butter, then sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over it.
  7. Roll up the dough from the long side into a log. Trim ends and cut into 12 rolls. Place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  8. Cover and let rise for another hour until doubled.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25 minutes until golden brown.
  10. To make frosting, brown butter in a saucepan, then cool. Mix with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
  11. Spread frosting on warm rolls and serve.

Notes

  • You can refrigerate unbaked rolls overnight and bake fresh in the morning.
  • Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor—don’t skip it!
  • If frosting is too thick, thin with a splash of milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze baked, unfrosted rolls and reheat before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/festive-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/