This cinnamon roll icing is perfect for anyone who's not a fan of cream cheese frosting. You'll love the drizzly consistency and cozy vanilla flavor! Pair it with my delicious Quick 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls.
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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.
- Unsalted Butter: You'll need to use unsalted butter for this recipe. Let it soften on the countertop a bit before you start the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners' sugar!
- Vanilla extract: Real vanilla extract tastes best, but imitation works too.
- Milk: Just a splash to get the right consistency.
- Salt: The secret ingredient to balance all the sweetness.
- Cinnamon rolls: Of course, you'll also need cinnamon rolls for pairing with this cinnamon roll icing! Use my Quick 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls or your own favorite recipe.
PS. If you like cream cheese, my cream cheese frosting for cinnamon rolls is even tastier than this quick glaze!
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Icing Without Cream Cheese:
Print this recipe! Click here to jump down to full recipe card for the condensed, printable recipe.
- Let ¼ cup of butter sit at room temperature until it softens (or just pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until slightly softened).
- Place the butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and a ⅛ teaspoon 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.
- Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of milk, beating in a tablespoon at a time until the cinnamon roll icing reaches your desired consistency.
- Drizzle the icing onto semi-cooled cinnamon rolls, or use it however you like!
Ingredient Substitutions & Tips
Here are some variations to try:
- Make it without milk. You can make cinnamon roll icing with water, but it just won't be quite as creamy. You can also make cinnamon roll icing without milk by using non-dairy milk like oat or almond.
- Make it without butter. For cinnamon roll icing without butter, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Note that it will be thinner and more translucent on the rolls.
- Make it with cream cheese. Looking for a traditional cream cheese cinnamon roll icing recipe? You can click over to my easy cream cheese frosting for cinnamon rolls to find out how to make cinnamon roll icing with cream cheese. For a thinner cinnamon roll icing with cream cheese, add milk to the recipe.
- Make less. If you want a light glaze for cinnamon rolls, make half of the recipe below.
Storing: Store this icing in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before you use it, then stir. You may need to add a bit of milk to reactivate it.
Freezing: You can freeze cinnamon roll icing for 2 to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Powdered sugar, a drizzle of honey, whipped cream, fresh berries, chocolate drizzle, or caramel sauce are all delicious toppings for cinnamon rolls if you don't want to use frosting.
Your cinnamon rolls should still be warm when you drizzle them with this simple cinnamon roll icing, but you should let them cool for at least 10-15 minutes to keep it from melting completely.
No. Cinnamon rolls are baked first, then the icing is added.
Cinnamon Roll Icing (without cream cheese!)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened i.e. ½ stick
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk add 1 tablespoon at a time until it's the consistency you want
- Pinch of salt
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
- Add softened unsalted butter (¼ cup, i.e. ½ stick), powdered sugar (2 cups), vanilla extract (2 teaspoons), and a pinch of salt to a medium-sized bowl.
- Use a hand or stand mixer to mix until combined (about 30-60 seconds). Add milk one tablespoon at a time (2-4 tablespoons) until it's the consistency you desire.
- Pour over slightly cooled 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.
Elzette du Plessis says
It was really good but it is a little bit to sweet
Mary Johnson says
very good
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Mary!
Maureen Hay says
Nice just what I needed thanks
Melissa says
Thank you for leaving a review, Maureen!
Sherry Webster says
Frosting recipe was a 5⭐ and I added a drop or two of Watkins maple extract to frosting...yummy
Melissa says
So glad you loved it, Sherry! I LOVE Watkins extracts but haven't tried their maple yet...but it sounds like I need to!
Marisa Colvin says
Very good! I used less powdered sugar than recommended (1.5 cups) and it turned out perfect!
Heather says
So quick and SO good!! Perfect consistency.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Heather!
Rebeca says
Love it. Super similar to taste. I have a package one and this one side by side and I’ll say this recipe is way sweeter but still delicious
Shanem says
Great !!!!Just wanted to know why do my cinnamon rolls appeared to be deformed????
Melissa says
Hi Shanem! Can you send me a photo on Instagram? I'd love to see what they look like to help diagnose!
Hanna Reesink says
I used 4 tbsps of milk and the consistency was perfect. It was sweet and delicious- definitely an icing I would use for more different recipes, such as cupcakes too. It was perfect!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Hanna! So glad you loved the recipe!
mary says
Hi, this is Mary, I wanted to let you know that in my country we don't have any powdered sugar so is there any replacement?
Melissa says
Hi Mary! You may find this article helpful: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/a38281485/powdered-sugar-substitute/
gailpillon@sympatico.ca says
This is such an easy recipe for cinnamon buns & not only easy but absolutely delicious! This my go to recipe for anything that needs a icing ! Love it !
Melissa says
So happy to hear you love this recipe, thank you so much for leaving a review!
Natasha Stamper says
Delicious, reminds me of the frosting you’d get with the refrigerated premade rolls at the store but better:)
Melissa says
So glad you loved this recipe, Natasha! Thank you for leaving a review!
Danielle says
Oops I forgot to rate my review - 5 Star for this household :)
Danielle says
Made Your cinnamon bun frosting recipe, It turned out great! No complaints from anyone (Actually there wasn't much talking at all happening at all haha)- that's how I new it was a score! Was also super quick and easy to prepare and work with lastly i shall add that I love how this recipe is easily substituted if desired or need be !
Great Recipe Will Make Again Thanks ! :)
Melissa says
Yay, so glad it seemed like everyone loved the recipe so much! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Danielle! I really appreciate it!
PJ says
So easy to make! So delicious!
Robin Palin says
Easy. Tasty. Excellent. It will be my go to icing recipe from now on.
Melissa says
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Robin! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!