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
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Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add ¼ cup unsalted butter (i.e. ½ stick), 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!
Thank you for your help. I love the recipe.
I'm so happy you love the cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting, Shannon! Thanks so much for leaving a review!
This is so yummy and such a decadent and fluffy icing! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting, Jessica! Thanks so much for leaving a review!
Tastes just like the icing for the Pillsbury Danish rolls, but better. Not too sweet. I used Philadelphia vegan cream cheese and vegan Country Crock Olive oil butter. Absolutely delicious!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting, Melanie! Thank you for sharing your vegan tips! Other readers will also appreciate the info! Thank you for leaving a review. I appreciate it!
Perfect cream cheese frosting!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting! Thanks so much for leaving a review!
Fluffy and tender! They taste delicious!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cinnamon Rolls, Vicki! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Just as described!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Frosting for Cinnamon Rolls, Sara! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
1this recipe is awesome! It is a keeper! Thank you so much for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Frosting for Cinnamon Rolls recipe, Mardy! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Everyone that tasted this icing loved it! So easy to make, so easy to enjoy. Thank you for the recipe! Is on my list of regularly used recipes. :-)
I'm so glad everyone loves the Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll Frosting, Jill. Thanks for adding it to your recipe list! Thank you for taking time to leave a review. I appreciate it!
So simply delicious thank you
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll Frosting recipe, Jenny! Thank you for leaving a review. I appreciate it!
Good icing.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll Frosting, Libba! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
I made this frosting and it was a hit with my family. Thanks for sharing because it was very easy to follow and make.
I'm so glad this cream cheese frosting was a hit, Robyn! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
I used this recipe for my mom's homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls and It's freaking awesome. Thank you for sharing
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese frosting recipe, Nathan! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
The best cinnamon roll frosting! Quick and easy to make. It was just enough sweetness. Thank you for sharing!
I am so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting, Nicole! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Used it at school. The kids loved it!
I'm so glad the kids enjoyed the Cream Cheese Frosting, Sandi! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
So yummy! Thank you
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese frosting, Jennifer! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Great recipe. I used it, but used vegan cream cheese and it turned out very yummy!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese frosting recipe, Valerie! Great to know the vegan cream cheese works, too! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
Yummy frosting. I will be making it again.
I'm so glad you liked this frosting, Arlene! Thanks for taking time to leave a review!
I made this to put on Amish Cinnamon Roll Bread. It was delicious! I doubled the recipe so as not to waste the brick of cream cheese. I will freeze it for later. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cream Cheese Frosting recipe, Cheryl! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!