Description
Delight in these festive Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, featuring a soft, flavorful dough infused with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze and adorable gingerbread people decorations, these rolls are perfect for holiday breakfasts or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 4 1/2-5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 envelopes (1/4 ounce each) quick-rising dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
Filling:
- 4 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 icing gingerbread people
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt. Microwave the milk and butter until the butter melts and the mixture reaches 128-130°F. Add this milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until blended. Incorporate the lightly beaten eggs, then gradually add the remaining flour until a dough forms.
- Knead and Roll Dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth, about 5 minutes, adding more flour if necessary. Roll the dough into a 20 x 16-inch rectangle.
- Prepare Filling: Combine melted butter and molasses; brush the mixture evenly over the dough. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, then sprinkle the spice-sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Cut the log into 12 equal slices.
- Arrange and Rise: Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and place the rolls cut side up. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat and Bake: While the rolls rise, preheat the oven to 350°F. After rising, bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Make the Glaze: While baking, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy and smooth.
- Glaze and Decorate: Spread the glaze over the warm rolls and top each with an icing gingerbread person for a festive touch.
Notes
- Make Ahead Directions: Assemble the rolls as directed up to placing in the baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, let rolls come to room temperature and rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Then bake as directed.
- Add dried cranberries to the brown sugar filling for a fruity twist.
- Add mini chocolate chips to the dough before rolling for a sweet surprise.
- Incorporate finely chopped crystallized ginger into the brown sugar filling for an extra ginger kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll with glaze
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
