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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Very easy to make and 😋.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lisa!
This a great recipe! I halved it with no trouble!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Kim!
Loved the frosting on my cinnamon rolls. I added a little cinnamon to it only because I'm a cinnamon freak! Thank you!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Marilyn! So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
Excellent!
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Marianne!
Loved it.
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Isandra!
Best cream cheese frosting I have tried!! Thank you!
This was simple and really good. Thank you. 😊
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Suzanne!
Easy and delicious. I did add a squeeze of lemon juice. Did not need to sift the powdered sugar, came out perfect! This recipe is a keeper, made just the right amount for a 10 inch round pan of homemade cinnamon rolls.
Thank you so much for leaving a review! Happy to hear you enjoyed it!!
Perfect! Quick and easy! Slathered on day old cinnamon rolls and brought them back to life. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Wonderful! Thick and creamy. I fell asleep and overbaked my cinnamon rolls. The cream cheese icing softened them right up. No one even noticed.
Yum
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Lisa!
Great!
Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Easy to follow recipe. Will definitely make again. Delicious 😋
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Arlise!
This was amazing!! They turned out perfect. Soft gooey and wonderful flavor! My kids went crazy for them!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Staci!
Excellent!! I use this on my cinnamon and sugar focaccia and I get requests all the time to make it for family gatherings, friends and colleagues for a treat at the office! Thank you!
I'm so happy you all are loving the cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting, Tammy! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Just made some !! Prepared the cinnamon bun dough, unfortunately my brown sugar is clumped , just waiting now for a piece of apple to do its magic to undo it , till then I hope the frosting doesn't disappear!!!! Turned out perfectly!!! Frosting before the buns 😅😅
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cream cheese cinnamon roll frosting, Haleema! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
I just finished making this recipe and it's perfect! The kids and their dad wanted cinnamon rolls, so while I baked those I mixed this up and dad is currently licking the mixer! Thank you for posting this recipe!
*I meant to leave 5* on my last comment so please delete that one!
I'm so glad you all loved the Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Frosting! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review! I appreciate it!
I thank you and admire you for sharing your delicious recipes with us. May God Bless you always.
Thanks so much, Cathy! I appreciate your kind words!