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:
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
- 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.
Carol walters says
Easy and tasty! Will use this often!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Carol!
ChelleBel says
I made this icing tonight as
a topping for raspberry bread. It was perfect! It wasn't overly sweet, like a lot of other icing. It went perfectly with the bread! Thank you for the recipe!
Melissa says
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Robyn says
Super easy and very tasty!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Robyn!
Jillian says
Tasty and easy!!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jillian!
HBWell says
Super easy to make and it’s delicious ❤️
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Marianne Parisio says
I have made this cream cheese frosting for my cinnamon rolls for the 5 or 6 batches. It comes together perfectly, I do add a little more vanilla because that’s how I like it! Thanks it’s now one of favorite frosting.
Melissa says
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Marianne! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Hannah says
OBSESSED with this frosting. It is a go-to, most requested thing in my house right now.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Hannah! So glad to hear you love this recipe!
Robi says
Absolutely delicious yum is a perfect complement to my homemade strawberry center of the bun treats
Melissa says
So glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much for leaving a review Robi!
Liz says
I love this recipe. The only thing I do differently is use 8 oz. of cream cheese vs 4 oz. I like more of a cream cheese flavor to the sweet. Thank you for sharing!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Liz! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Patsy Johnson says
Just what I wanted! Perfection! Thank you!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Patsy! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Colleen says
Just perfect!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Colleen! I really appreciate it!
Diana says
Love this recipe, it's my go to and it's very simple. I add a little bit of the cinnamon sugar mix to it.
Suzanne says
So good and creamy and easy to make!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Diana! I really appreciate it!
Bill Mashburn says
My favorite!!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Bill!
Karen O says
Wonderfully creamy and easy to make. A few simple ingredients that if you choose, you can modify to your own taste. I like the recipe with no changes!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Karen! I really appreciate it!
Eliche says
The best cream cheese frosting recipe I've ever made!
Melissa says
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Gayle says
Tastes great! Simple recipe with just a few ingredients.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Gayle!