Cast Iron Skillet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Homemade Cast Iron Skillet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
There’s something special about a skillet full of homemade cinnamon rolls, especially when they’re covered in thick, creamy frosting. These cast iron skillet cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, buttery, and filled with plenty of cinnamon sugar goodness.
If you grew up around Southern kitchens, you probably know that a cast iron skillet isn’t just for frying chicken or making cornbread. It’s also wonderful for baking homemade sweet rolls.
These cinnamon rolls bake together in a 10-inch skillet, giving them beautifully golden edges while keeping the centers soft and tender. Once they’re finished, a generous layer of homemade cream cheese glaze makes them even better.
Whether you’re making a cozy weekend breakfast, Christmas morning brunch, or something sweet to share with family, this recipe is worth keeping.
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Rolls
- Soft and fluffy: Warm milk, yeast, and a little baking powder help create tender homemade rolls.
- Perfect cinnamon filling: Brown sugar, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of cloves add wonderful flavor.
- Cast iron goodness: The skillet helps create golden bottoms and delicious buttery edges.
- Cream cheese glaze: Rich, smooth frosting melts slightly into the cinnamon swirls.
- Great for sharing: Serve the entire skillet right at the breakfast table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple baking ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.
For the Cinnamon Rolls
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- â…› teaspoon ground cloves
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1¼ cups warm whole milk
- 4 teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast
- â…ž teaspoon salt, divided
For the Cream Cheese Glaze
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- â…› teaspoon salt
Ingredient Tip: Warm milk helps activate the yeast, but it shouldn’t be too hot. Aim for approximately 105–110°F to avoid damaging the yeast.
How to Make Cast Iron Skillet Cinnamon Rolls
You don’t need fancy equipment to make these homemade cinnamon rolls. Just a few mixing bowls, a rolling pin, and your favorite cast iron skillet.
Step 1: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, â…› teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon melted butter.
Mix until the sugar resembles damp crumbs. Set aside while preparing the dough.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and remaining ¾ teaspoon salt.
In another bowl, combine the warm milk, instant yeast, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
Stir until the yeast is evenly mixed into the liquid.
Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until a soft, sticky dough forms.
Don’t worry if the dough feels slightly sticky. That’s normal!
Step 3: Knead and Roll Out
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured countertop.
Knead for a few minutes until it becomes smoother and easier to handle. Avoid adding too much extra flour, which can make the rolls dry.
Using a rolling pin, shape the dough into an approximately 12×9-inch rectangle.
Brush the surface with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Step 4: Roll and Slice
Starting from one long side, roll the dough into a tight log.
Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the log into evenly sized cinnamon rolls.
Grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet with 1 tablespoon melted butter.
Arrange the rolls inside the skillet, leaving a little space between them.
Cover loosely and let them rise in a warm place for approximately 30 minutes, or until noticeably puffed.
Step 5: Bake the Cinnamon Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Brush the tops of the risen rolls with the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the dough in the center is cooked through.
Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and salt.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Spread the glaze generously over the cinnamon rolls once they’ve cooled enough that the frosting won’t immediately run off.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Soft, Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls
Don’t overheat the milk. Milk that’s too hot can damage the yeast and prevent the rolls from rising properly.
Avoid adding too much flour. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky rather than stiff.
Roll the dough evenly. This helps the cinnamon rolls bake at approximately the same rate.
Give them time to rise. Thirty minutes is a useful guide, but a cool kitchen may require a little longer.
Watch the oven carefully. Cast iron retains heat, so check the rolls near the end of baking to avoid overbrowning.
Delicious Variations to Try
Pecan Cinnamon Rolls: Sprinkle ½ cup finely chopped pecans over the cinnamon filling before rolling.
Maple Cream Cheese Glaze: Replace some of the milk in the frosting with pure maple syrup for extra flavor.
Orange Cinnamon Rolls: Add a little freshly grated orange zest to the filling for a bright, citrusy twist.
How to Store and Reheat Cinnamon Rolls
Refrigerator: Store leftover frosted cinnamon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze completely cooled, unfrosted cinnamon rolls in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm an individual roll in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds, until soft and heated through.
For the best texture, let refrigerated rolls sit at room temperature briefly before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cinnamon rolls without a cast iron skillet?
Yes! You can use a similarly sized oven-safe baking dish. Baking time may vary slightly.
Why didn’t my cinnamon rolls rise?
The milk may have been too hot, the yeast may have expired, or the kitchen may have been too cold. Make sure your yeast is fresh and allow extra rising time if needed.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the rolls ahead and refrigerate them, covered, overnight. Let them warm up and become noticeably puffy before baking. The exact rising time will vary.
Should I frost cinnamon rolls while they’re hot?
For a thick, creamy topping, let the rolls cool slightly before frosting. If you prefer a thinner glaze that melts into the swirls, spread it on while the rolls are still warm.
A Homemade Breakfast Worth Sharing
Few things make a kitchen smell better than freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
Between the buttery dough, sweet cinnamon filling, and generous cream cheese glaze, these cast iron skillet cinnamon rolls are the kind of homemade treat everyone looks forward to.
Bring the skillet straight to the table, pour a cup of coffee, and enjoy a warm cinnamon roll with the people you love.
WP Recipe Maker Card
Recipe Name: Cast Iron Skillet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Description: Soft, homemade cinnamon rolls baked in a cast iron skillet with a buttery cinnamon sugar filling and rich cream cheese glaze.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes, plus cooling
Servings: Approximately 8–10 rolls, depending on slicing
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Method: Baking
Equipment: 10-inch cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rolls
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- â…› teaspoon ground cloves
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1¼ cups warm whole milk
- 4 teaspoons instant yeast
- â…ž teaspoon salt, divided
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 3 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- â…› teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix brown sugar, 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, cinnamon, cloves, â…› teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon melted butter.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and remaining ¾ teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
- Combine warm milk, yeast, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
- Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients to form a sticky dough.
- Knead briefly and roll into a 12×9-inch rectangle.
- Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon filling.
- Roll into a log and cut into even pieces.
- Grease a 10-inch skillet with 1 tablespoon butter and arrange the rolls inside.
- Cover and let rise approximately 30 minutes, until puffy.
- Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter.
- Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth and spread over slightly cooled rolls.
Recipe Notes: The dough will initially be sticky. Use only enough additional flour for easy handling. For a thicker frosting, reduce the glaze milk slightly.
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SEO Title: Cast Iron Skillet Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
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Meta Description: Make soft, fluffy cast iron skillet cinnamon rolls with buttery cinnamon filling and rich cream cheese glaze. Perfect for a homemade breakfast!
Secondary Keywords:
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Category: Breakfast & Brunch / Sweet Rolls
Featured Image Alt Text: Homemade cinnamon rolls baked in a Lodge cast iron skillet and covered with thick cream cheese glaze.
