Go Back
+ servings
gingerbread cinnamon rolls on plates with forks
Print

Gooey Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Simple and quick! No need to be scared of this one rise yeast dough.  A holiday spin on a classic, gingerbread cinnamon rolls are stuffed with gooey cream cheese and topped with creamy frosting.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword christmas brunch, christmas cinnamon rolls, gingerbread, gingerbread cinnamon rolls
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 451kcal
Author Lauren

Ingredients

dough

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 ¾ cup all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon instant yeast 1 packet
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 egg

filling

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened

Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¾ cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Make the dough:  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, cinnamon and ginger.  Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.  Add the milk and water and heat to 110°F.  When the milk mixture comes to temperature, transfer to a large bowl or standing mixer.  Mix in 1 egg on low speed.
  • Mix in the dry ingredients on low speed until the dough comes together, about 1 minute.  Increase speed to medium-high and beat the dough for 4 minutes until the dough completely pulls away from the sides of the bowl.  If you're not using a standing mixer, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4 minutes.
  • Once the dough is smooth and shiny, transfer it to a lightly greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Shape the dough: Preheat the dough to 200°F.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.    Shape into a rectangle, sprinkle the top lightly with flour and roll out to 14 x 8 piece.
  • Make the rolls: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and molasses.  Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and ginger in another bowl.  Brush the melted butter and molasses over the dough then sprinkle with all of the sugar mixture.  Using your fingers, break off pieces of the cream cheese and dot the dough.
  • Roll the dough from bottom to top using the longer side.  Cut into 2 inch rolls and place in a lightly greased 8x8 pan or 9-inch round pan.
  • Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and place in the preheated oven.  Shut the heat off and crack the oven door see notes.  Let rise 45 to 60 minutes or until double in size.  Remove from the pan from oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Remove the plastic wrap or kitchen towel.  Bake the rolls at 375°F for 18 minutes, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 7 to 10 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes before frosting.
  • Make the frosting:  In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, confectioners sugar and vanilla.  For a thinner frosting, add 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream.  Once the frosting is mixed, spread over the rolls while they are still in the pan.

Notes

  • Alternatively to proofing the rolls in the oven with the door cracked, you can just place them in a warm area covered with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.  They may take from 60 to 90 minutes to rise until double in size.  If using the low temp oven method for the rise, I find draping a thick kitchen towel over the door after turning off the heat helps keep the oven cracked if anyone tries to close it.
  • My favorite 'trick' for rolling out the dough is using a quilting mat.  It has a grid printed on it and being able to just rinse the flour off the mat makes for quick clean up.
  • Cover rolls in between servings.  Unrefrigerated rolls will last up to 3 day and refrigerated rolls will keep up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 407mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 579IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 3mg