To eat a homemade Cinnamon Roll without a thick layer of cream cheese icing on top should be illegal. Icing completes the cinnamon roll and makes it SOOO delicious.
While we do have a yummy cream cheese frosting for cakes and cupcakes, this cinnamon roll icing is our #1 choice when it comes to sweet rolls. It uses only 4 ingredients and is whipped up in minutes. It has the perfect balance of tang (from the cream cheese) and sweet (from the powdered sugar).
This cinnamon roll icing recipe is a necessity on freshly baked cinnamon rolls, but could also be used on Donut Muffins, a Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake, or Banana Bars!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Few ingredients. Just 4 simple ingredients will turn into icing heaven! This is the easiest icing recipe ever.
- Taste. It’s perfectly sweet with just the right hint of cream cheese flavor. Everything you want in an icing for your rolls!
- Versatile. This would actually be delicious on top of cookies, cakes, pound cakes, and even scones—not just sweet rolls!
Cinnamon Roll Icing Ingredients
- Butter, softened (¼ cup): Adds richness and helps the icing glide over warm rolls.
- Powdered sugar (3 cups): Sweetens and creates a smooth, velvety finish.
- Cream cheese, softened (4 ounces): Brings creamy body and a gentle tang that balances sweetness.
- Milk or half and half (to consistency): Thins the icing to your preferred spreadable or drizzling texture. Use whole milk or half n half for the creamiest icing, but lower fat milk can also be used. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed.
- optional flavoring – Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract, a little cinnamon, or Pumpkin Pie Spice.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Icing
MIX. Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, add ¼ cup butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, and 3 cups powdered sugar, to a medium mixing bowl and beat until smooth. For thinner icing add more milk, for thicker icing add powdered sugar.
- Spread over warm cinnamon rolls.
Add a thin layer of icing when the rolls are still hot causing the icing to melt into the nooks and crannies. Once the rolls have cooled, we top them with another layer that will stay in place.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are truly soft for the smoothest icing.
- Start with 2 tablespoons milk, then add a teaspoon at a time until it is just spreadable.
- For glossy swoops, ice rolls while they are warm, not hot, so it melts slightly but does not run off.
- To make a thicker frosting, reduce the milk and beat a minute longer to aerate.
Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- milk or half and half: enough to make it a spreadable consistency.
Instructions
- Mix ingredients in a medium bowl and beat until smooth. Spread over warm cinnamon rolls.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Keep icing covered in the fridge for a couple of weeks until ready to use, or freeze it for 3-4 months. Let it sit on the counter to soften before spreading it over your cinnamon rolls.
Due to the cream cheese, the frosted cinnamon rolls can be kept at room temperature overnight but should be refrigerated for longer storage or frozen for up to 8 weeks.
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This recipe was first shared November, 2019.
I have made a couple of your recipes Love them
Grandson 3 yrs so picky and son n law also keep it coming
I love all of youre recipes they are great and simple and they halve little check mark so you can check of the ingredients…great recipes!!!
Oh thank you!! So glad you enjoy the recipes!
Made carrot cake in a bunt pan used your cream cheese frosting! Knocked it out of the park!! Thank for the recipe it was quick easy and fun!!!
You’re welcome! That sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed the frosting!
Officially my new go to recipe for icing. My wife made cinnamon rolls last night and drizzled some icing that disappeared the following day. I asked if she was going to put icing on the rolls. She told me she already did. Confused and disappointed, I searched for a recipe myself and yours seemed the easiest. Not only was I thrilled but I impressed the wifey too! Win win all around. Thank you for sharing and God bless.
This is a fantastic recipe! Made my cinnamon buns taste better than bakery versions. Thank you so much for sharing!
Very detailed in making your recipes easy to make . Love it! Thankyou.
Thanks for sharing. It would also be great to drizzle on your cinnamon bread.
Icing…..the most favorite part of any dessert!
This is perfect for my daughter! She love cinnamon rolls and she’ll definitely love this recipe for them! Can’t wait to show him!
I could just eat this by the spoonful, haha! Thanks for such an easy recipe to follow with only a few ingredients.
Holy cow this is AMAZING! My kids went crazy for this icing!
This is seriously the best cinnamon roll icing!! It was very easy to make & makes the cinnamon rolls to die for!
No vanilla??
No vanilla 🙂