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
⭐️ Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor afterwards 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 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
Did you make this?
I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts! Leave a review & photo of your creation and be sure to mention @DesignEatRepeat or tag #DesignEatRepeat on Instagram!Save this recipe!
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Perfect for my homemade cinnamon rolls!
JG
I'm so glad you like this recipe, Jill! Thanks so much for leaving a review!
Very good, but I needed to add more powdered sugar because the Cream cheese was VERY overpowering but other than that it came our pretty good!
Hi, Ashley! I'm glad you liked them! Thanks for taking time to leave a review! If the recipe is a bit more cream cheese than you prefer, here's an icing recipe you can try if you'd like.
Cinnamon Roll Icing
Very delicious and simple recipe! Delicious on cinnamon rolls
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese frosting, Kayla! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Love it
So glad you love it, Jeeh! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Fantastic!
I'm so glad you liked the frosting, Pat! Thank you for leaving a review!
Perfect and very simple recipe! Just the way it should be ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm so glad you love the cinnamon roll frosting, Cathrina! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Easy and delicious. Thanks
I'm so glad you liked the cinnamon roll frosting, Marjorie! Thanks for leaving a review!
I made this recipe in a large coffee cup. It was so easy and delicious. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Ruthie! Thank you so much for taking time to leave a review!
Easy and great consistency and flavor!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Katie! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Yummy. I made the cinnamon roll icing with cream cheese. Fast and good. Thank you for sharing.
I'm so glad you liked the icing, Pam! Thank you for taking time to leave a review!
Perfect for cinnamon rolls!
I am so glad you liked it! Thank you for taking time to leave a review!
This recipe is not at all what I was hoping for
There was way to much sugar and not enough cream cheese
I ended up adding a whole block of cream cheese instead because when I tried it it was not good whatsoever
After adding more cream cheese it was a little better but I’m still disappointed
Would not recommend
Sorry you didn't love this!
Recipe is short simple and I like how you get to the point.
Recipe is easy and yummy. Thank you.
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Mikki! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
not only easy but delishious
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Gordon! I really appreciate it!
Excellent frosting for my cinnamon rolls! Thanks!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Connie!
Made this tonight for my cinnamon rolls! Delicious! I used 6oz cream cheese for a more creamy taste! Perfection!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Rose!
This frosting was beyond delicious, I can’t even find the words to describe how magnificent it was. I could have eaten the whole bowl had I not already used it, to frost the cinnamon rolls before trying! I 100% recommend, it elevates the cinnamon rolls to a whole new level, and creates a more than mouth-watering palate sensation!