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Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls (Soft & Gooey Holiday Treats)

 Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

If you’re looking for the ultimate holiday breakfast or a cozy winter baking project, these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a dream come true. They take everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls: the fluffy texture, the gooey brown sugar filling, the sweet icing, and add a festive twist of molasses, ginger, and warm spices.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 9
Author: Florence Jackson

Ingredients

  • 7 g (¼ oz) Packet Dried Fast Acting Yeast
  • 200 ml (¾ cup) Warm Milk See Notes
  • 50 g (¼ cup) Granulated Sugar
  • 55 g (¼ cup) Unsalted Butter Melted
  • 425 g (3 ½ cups) All Purpose Flour
  • 1 (1) Large Egg
  • 1 (1) Large Egg Yolk
  • 2 tbsp Molasses See Notes
  • 50 ml (¼ cup) Heavy Cream Optional

For the Filling

  • 113 g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter
  • 110 g (½ cup) Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Molasses
  • 2 tsp Ground Ginger

For the Glaze

  • 200 g (1 ⅔ cups) Powdered Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Milk
  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) Heavy Cream
  • Gingerbread/Ginger Cookies Optional, to decorate

Instructions

  • Start by combining the yeast, warm milk and sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. The milk should be just warm to the touch but not hot. Let bloom for 5 minutes – it should look 'bubbly'.
  • To that bowl, add in one whole egg and egg yolk, molasses and the melted butter. Mix to combine. Add the flour and mix to form a dough.
  • Knead for 8-10 minutes. Spray the bowl with some oil and let rise in a warm place for at least 1 hour (until doubled in size).
  • Line a 9x9" square dish with baking parchment.

For the Filling

  • Make the filling by combining the butter, molasses, brown sugar and ground ginger in a bowl. Beat together with a spatula until totally combined. If it looks a little 'split' don't panic, it will still work!
  • Once doubled in size, punch down and tip onto lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll to about 15×8 inches. Spread the butter/sugar mixture over the dough in an even layer.

Assembly

  • Starting with the long side, roll the dough away from you to form a tight log. Use either a serrated knife or dental floss to cut about 9 rolls. Place into the lined dish. Let rest 30-45 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 370℉/180℃. If using, pour over the heavy cream then bake the tray of sweet rolls for about 15-20 minutes: until a golden color. Remove and let cool.
  • Make the frosting by combining powdered sugar, milk and heavy cream to form a thick but just spreadable consistency (add powdered sugar/milk to get it how you like it). Spread over the rolls once they've cooled. Decorate with ginger snap cookies or similar!

Notes

Milk: Your milk should be warm but not hot. What this means is it should feel just lukewarm to the touch but at a temperature that isn't scalding/too hot to touch. 
Molasses: Depending on where you live, treacle may be more readily available as a substitute. This is a direct 1-1 substitute, you don't need to alter the quantity!