Go Back

Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing

Christmas cinnamon rolls rise until soft and fluffy, then bake until golden brown with their center rolls set. Warm rolls get a thick caramel cream cheese icing and a festive finish of red and green holiday sprinkles.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 18 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
rising and resting 2 hours 3 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 49 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 440
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the dough and filling
  • 1 cup whole milk warmed to 105–110°F
  • 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter divided: 1/4 cup melted and cooled for the dough, 1/4 cup softened for the filling
  • 1 egg large, at room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk large, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 4.25 cups all-purpose flour divided: 4 cups for the dough and 1/4 cup for kneading
  • 0.75 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the pan
  • 1 tbsp nonstick cooking spray
For the icing
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.33 cup caramel sauce
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the decoration
  • 2 tbsp holiday sprinkles red and green

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch baking dish

Method
 

Make the dough
  1. In a large bowl, stir together the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar.
  2. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  3. Stir in the melted butter, egg, egg yolk, and salt.
  4. Mix in 4 cups of the flour until a shaggy dough forms.
  5. Knead on a clean surface for 8–10 minutes, gradually working in the remaining 1/4 cup flour, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  6. Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
Fill and bake the rolls
  1. Punch down the dough.
  2. Roll the dough between sheets of parchment into a 12x18-inch rectangle.
  3. Spread the softened butter over the dough.
  4. Sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar and cinnamon.
  5. Roll tightly from a long edge and cut into 12 pieces.
  6. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  7. Arrange the rolls cut side up in the baking dish.
  8. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
  9. Heat the oven to 350°F.
  10. Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and the center rolls are set.
  11. Let the rolls rest in the pan for 10 minutes.
Ice and decorate
  1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Beat in the caramel sauce, powdered sugar, and vanilla until thick and spreadable.
  3. Spread the icing over the warm rolls.
  4. Finish with the holiday sprinkles.

Notes

For the softest rolls, let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze baked, uniced rolls for up to 2 months. For a dairy-free variation, use dairy-free milk, butter, cream cheese, and caramel sauce.