This is the best cream cheese frosting for cinnamon rolls! It's fluffy, creamy, and has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Whip it up in one bowl, in under 10 minutes!
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Why I Love This Cream Cheese Frosting for Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon rolls need frosting: There are some baked goods that can go without being slathered with frosting, but cinnamon rolls aren't one of them. This cinnamon roll frosting is the perfect finishing touch, and we all know that cinnamon rolls with cream cheese have much better flavor than the ones with a quick glaze!
- It's tried-and-true: This cinnamon bun frosting is from my Quick 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls recipe, so it's a well-tested favorite. You can't go wrong!
- It's easy: You'll love that this cinnamon roll frosting recipe comes together in a matter of minutes.
- It tastes amazing: You might even like it more than the Cinnabon icing recipe! It's creamy, sweet, tangy, and the perfect complement to pillowy soft cinnamon rolls.
Tip: To make it closer to the Cinnabon frosting recipe, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!
Tips & Ingredient Notes
This is just an overview, click here to jump down to the full recipe card for the recipe amounts and condensed recipe instructions.
- Butter – You'll want to use unsalted butter here, which gives you more control over the saltiness & flavor of the frosting.
- Cream cheese – Cream cheese frosting for cinnamon rolls starts with full-fat cream cheese—the kind that comes in bricks, not tubs. Low fat also works, just know that your frosting will be a bit runnier.
- Powdered sugar – This might seem like a lot, but once you mix it in, the volume decreases and helps keep your frosting thick & spreadable.
- Vanilla extract - don't skip the vanilla!
- Salt – Just a pinch will balance the sweetness in the frosting.
Tip: Want to make a copycat Cinnabon cream cheese frosting? Use the recipe below and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
How to Make Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
- Let 4 ounces of cream cheese and ¼ cup of butter sit at room temperature until they soften.
- Place the cream cheese, butter, 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Slather the frosting onto cinnamon rolls, or use it however you like!
Looking for more of a glaze than a frosting? Simply add milk a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency or use my more pourable cinnamon roll icing!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?
Yes, if not eaten within 1-2 hours the cream cheese cinnamon rolls should be stored in the refrigerator or the frosting can go bad. While they're best eaten right away, they can be refrigerated for a few days or even frozen (see below).
Can I freeze cream cheese frosting?
Yes, cream cheese frosting can be frozen in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before you use it.
I also love wrapping the frosted cinnamon rolls individually, freezing them, then microwaving them for 20-30 seconds when ready to eat!
Can I make cinnamon roll icing without cream cheese?
Yes, you can make a buttercream frosting without cream cheese by using my cinnamon roll icing recipe! It's more of a quick, pourable glaze.
What is the frosting on cinnamon rolls made of?
There are a variety of ways you can make cinnamon roll frosting but my favorite is definitely this recipe with cream cheese! It contains butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. If you're looking for a cinnamon roll frosting without cream cheese, use my cinnamon roll icing.
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting for Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (i.e. ½ stick) softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened, use the cream cheese sold in a brick, not in a tub
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add unsalted butter (¼ cup), cream cheese (4 ounces), vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), and salt (⅛ teaspoon). Use an electric mixer to beat for 20-30 seconds until combined.
- Slowly add powdered sugar (1 ½ cups) and beat until combined and smooth (about 30-60 seconds). Slather on warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Lindsay
Quick easy and delicious. I find i get too “sugared out” with some frostings. This one was tangy and balanced. Perfect!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lindsay! I really appreciate it!
Julie
Added a squeeze of lemon juice. Simple & quick frosting recipe.
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Julie!
Tray
Super easy super yummy!!!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Tray!
Beth
So easy! Not overly sweet as other recipes. Super creamy!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Beth! I really appreciate it!
Denise
Super Easy -- thank you! -- Other recipes took overnights or hours and hours -- (I substituted buttermilk for milk and made cream cheese frosting) - Thank you for posting
Melissa
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Denise! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Nancy
Perfect frosting!!
Melissa
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Nancy!
Michael
This is a really good recipe, but I dialed back the sugar by a bunch...maybe just half a cup if that.
Melissa
Thanks so much for leaving a review, Michael!
Jessica
Just made a double batch! So good 😊
Melissa
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jessica!
Jen
Very easy to do and very delicious best part not over powering sweet.
Melissa
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jen! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Cherri
Super easy recipe. Turned out perfectly!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Cherri!
Lindsey
Omg this recipe is amazing! Definitely going to save this one
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lindsey! I am so glad you loved it!
Randi
Easy and delicious
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Randi!
Igshaan Symons
Very easy to make and delicious too!
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review! I really appreciate it!
robsfoodblog
Easy to make and just the right amount of sweet to compliment the cinnamon rolls. Will make this my new standard. Thanks!
Melissa
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Veronica Cashion
Omg just made and used this recipe and it taste amazing. The consistency of the icing is spot on
Melissa
So happy to hear that, Veronica! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Denise
I have made this twice now. Add the lemon it comes out so good! This is my official go to cinnamon roll frosting recipe! It has the perfect mix with cream cheese butter and confectionery sugar.
Melissa
I am so happy you enjoy this recipe so much, Denise! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Paula
Looks easy. Using it for Christmas
Polly
I added orange zest and orange extract but otherwise followed exactly. Family prefers "orange rolls" over "plain" 😋
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Polly! I really appreciate it!
LaVina
Can I pre-make this? I have already made my cinnamon rolls and will defrost them Christmas morning. I want to have things done ahead of time because there’s so many last minute things to take care of. I just wanted to know if I could have this in the refrigerator and bring it out enough to warm it up room temperature and spread
Melissa
Yes you can!
Christy H
This is my go to recipe for cinnamon roll frosting. It doesn’t have the super powdered sugar taste, just enough sweetness.
Melissa
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Christy! So glad to hear you enjoy this recipe!