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!
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:
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).
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!
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.
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
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Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened), 4 ounces cream cheese, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Use an electric mixer to beat for 20-30 seconds until combined.
- Slowly add 1 ½ cups powdered sugar and beat until combined and smooth (about 30-60 seconds). Slather on warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!
Notes from Melissa
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Delicious! It's a keeper. I added a little bit more vanilla just because I like vanilla.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, LaDonna!
Very good recipe. I used some orange juice and zest to make it the orange flavor for my cinnamon rolls. VERY GOOD. If you are a vanilla lover, I also made a batch with vanilla paste. WOW. Pretty intense and goes great with this recipe
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Danielle! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Omgosh, this recipe is the best ever, super easy.
Perfect!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lela! So glad to hear you love this recipe! :)
Easy 5 stars to give. Easy recipe to make. Tastes amazing! I bought store pre-made orange flavored cinnamon rolls that didn't have icing. Without the icing they were maybe a 5 or 6, but with the icing they were a 10/10!
Yay, I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Sherry! It is much appreciated!
Quick easy and delicious. I find i get too “sugared out” with some frostings. This one was tangy and balanced. Perfect!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lindsay! I really appreciate it!
Added a squeeze of lemon juice. Simple & quick frosting recipe.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Julie!
Super easy super yummy!!!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Tray!
So easy! Not overly sweet as other recipes. Super creamy!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Beth! I really appreciate it!
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
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Denise! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Perfect frosting!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Nancy!
This is a really good recipe, but I dialed back the sugar by a bunch...maybe just half a cup if that.
Thanks so much for leaving a review, Michael!
Just made a double batch! So good 😊
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jessica!
Very easy to do and very delicious best part not over powering sweet.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jen! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Super easy recipe. Turned out perfectly!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Cherri!
Omg this recipe is amazing! Definitely going to save this one
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lindsey! I am so glad you loved it!
Easy and delicious
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Randi!