🎄 Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Bean Icing
There’s nothing quite like waking up on Christmas morning (or any other day)to the smell of warm, fluffy cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. These Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Bean Icing are soft, buttery, filled with cinnamon-sugar swirls, and topped with a rich, fragrant vanilla bean glaze that melts into every nook and cranny.
Perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch, these rolls are a tradition waiting to happen.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra soft and fluffy texture
- Rich cinnamon filling in every bite
- Luxurious vanilla bean icing
- Perfect for make-ahead Christmas mornings
- Feels bakery-worthy, made right at home
🛒 Ingredients
🥖 Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 ½–4 cups all-purpose flour
🍥 Cinnamon Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
🤍 Vanilla Bean Icing
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- Seeds from 1 vanilla bean OR 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- Pinch of salt
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Add eggs, melted butter, and salt. Mix in flour gradually until a soft dough forms.
Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, until doubled.
2. Roll & Fill
Punch down dough and roll into a 16×12-inch rectangle using rolling pin.
Spread softened butter over dough. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then sprinkle evenly.
Roll tightly from the long side and cut into 12 rolls.
3. Second Rise
Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
4. Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake rolls for 22–26 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through.
5. Make the Icing
Whisk powdered sugar, cream, butter, vanilla bean seeds, and salt until smooth and pourable.
6. Ice & Serve
Spread icing over warm rolls so it melts into the swirls. Serve immediately with a cup of coffee or homemade hot chocolate.
✨ Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Rolls
- Dough should be soft, not sticky — add flour slowly
- Use dental floss for clean cuts
- Don’t overbake — keep them soft and tender
- Ice while warm for gooey rolls
🎄 Make-Ahead Overnight Option
After placing rolls in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, let sit at room temp for 30–45 minutes, then bake as directed.
Perfect for stress-free Christmas mornings!
❄️ Variations
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips for kids
- Add orange zest to icing for citrus notes
- Drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence
📦 Storage
- Store covered at room temp for 2 days
- Refrigerate up to 5 days
- Reheat gently before serving
Please leave a review, and share the recipe with friends to spread Christmas joy.
Merry Christmas!
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