Homemade Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze

If you love cinnamon rolls, you’re going to love these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes! Fluffy homemade pancakes are swirled with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon filling and topped with a sweet cream cheese glaze.

They taste just like cinnamon rolls in pancake form! They’re easy to make with simple ingredients and make a special breakfast for Christmas morning, holiday brunch, or a cozy weekend morning.

Ingredients

For the Pancakes

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Swirl

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Glaze

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed

Instructions

Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Stir until smooth.

Transfer the mixture to a small piping bag or a zip-top bag. Snip off a small corner for piping.

Let the mixture cool slightly so it thickens enough to pipe without running all over the pancakes.

Make the Pancakes

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. A few small lumps are fine.

Heat a lightly greased skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

Pour about 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake.

Once the batter begins to set around the edges, pipe a cinnamon swirl onto the top of each pancake, starting in the center and working outward. Keep the swirl away from the very edge.

Cook until bubbles begin to form and the edges look set. Carefully flip the pancakes and cook the other side until golden brown.

Repeat with the remaining batter and cinnamon filling.

Make the Cream Cheese Glaze

In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Mix until combined.

Add milk a little at a time until the glaze reaches a pourable consistency.

Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the warm pancakes before serving.

Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

• Use medium-low heat: The brown sugar cinnamon filling can caramelize quickly, so lower heat helps the pancakes cook through without burning the swirl.
• Let the filling thicken: If the cinnamon mixture is too runny, it will spread too much. Let it cool until it has a thicker, pipeable consistency.
• Don’t make the swirl too close to the edge: This helps keep the filling from running onto the skillet.
• Make the glaze ahead: You can prepare the cream cheese glaze the night before and refrigerate it. Let it soften slightly before drizzling.

Can You Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Ahead of Time?

You can prepare the cinnamon swirl and cream cheese glaze ahead of time and refrigerate them separately. In the morning, mix the pancake batter and cook the pancakes fresh.

You can also cook the pancakes ahead of time and refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave or toaster oven, then add the cream cheese glaze just before serving.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

These pancakes are delicious on their own, but they’re also wonderful served with fresh fruit, crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or scrambled eggs.

They make a fun addition to a Christmas breakfast buffet alongside other sweet and savory breakfast favorites.

More Christmas Breakfast Recipes

If you’re planning a special Christmas morning breakfast, here are a few more recipes to try!

• Overnight French Toast Casserole – Prepare this delicious French toast casserole the night before and bake it in the morning.
• Easy Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole – Enjoy all the flavors of cinnamon rolls in an easy breakfast casserole.
• Gingerbread Pancakes – Fluffy pancakes with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and warm holiday spices.
• Christmas Monkey Bread – Sweet cinnamon-sugar pull-apart bread that’s perfect for sharing.
• Cranberry Orange Muffins – A festive muffin with tart cranberries and fresh orange flavor.
• Sausage and Cheese Crescent Rolls – Flaky crescent rolls filled with savory sausage and melted cheese.

Storing Leftover Pancakes

Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep any extra cream cheese glaze in a separate covered container.

You can also freeze the pancakes. Let them cool completely, place parchment paper between them, and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheat in the microwave or toaster oven and add fresh glaze before serving.

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are a delicious way to make Christmas breakfast extra special.

With their sweet cinnamon swirl and creamy glaze, they bring all the flavors of homemade cinnamon rolls to the breakfast table!

Follow my Christmas Breakfast board on Pinterest.