The best Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls made with just 4 ingredients in a 5 minutes. Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and heavy cream (or milk) are blended together to create a luxuriously cream icing that takes store bought and homemade cinnamon rolls to the next level!
This recipe is tried and true, with over 40 5 star ratings from readers like you!
This recipe was amazing! I will be making this every time.
Chandra
Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
Cover your cinnamon rolls in a mouth-watering layer of thick cream cheese icing that seeps into every twirl for the creamiest, most decadent bite! This easy Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls is a tangy twist on my always popular Cinnamon Roll Icing!
We all know, it’s the icing that makes the roll! Drizzle or drench your rolls – I won’t judge! Cream Cheese Icing adds a subtle tang, balancing sweetness. It’s delightfully rich, creamy, and luxuriously smooth…you may want to grab a spoon!
Elevate homemade cinnamon rolls, shortcut cinnamon rolls or even a store-bought can of Pillsbury rolls with homemade cream cheese icing. It’s amazing on Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Orange Rolls, Cinnamon Roll Bread and Mini Pumpkin Muffins. You can drizzle it on almost any dessert!
Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients and Substitutions
Chances are, you have everything you need in your refrigerator and pantry!
- Cream Cheese – Your favorite cream cheese at room temperature for a silky smooth consistency. Alternatively, soften cream cheese quickly with these tips.
- Butter – Salted or unsalted butter at room temperature or use these tips to soften butter quickly for best results.
- Powdered Sugar – Super fine sugar contributes to the melt-in-your-mouth consistency. It is also known as confectioner’s sugar. If you are in a pinch, you can make powdered sugar using white granulated sugar.
- Heavy Cream – Heavy cream, also known as whipping cream, adds to the supple texture and rich flavor. You can substitute milk a tablespoon at a time, if needed.
How to Store
Refrigerator – Store icing covered on rolls or in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature and whisk to return to its original texture.
Cream Cheese Icing for Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and heavy cream on low until smooth. Optional: Add up to 2 teaspoons of your favorite extract.4 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Using an icing spatula or butter knife, smooth onto warm cinnamon rolls or warm in a microwave safe syrup jar or large measuring cup and stir to pour over room temperature rolls.
Julie’s Tips
Substitutions and Variations
Cream Cheese – Whole fat, light or even fat free work with this recipe. Butter – Use your preference of salted or unsalted butter. Powdered Sugar – While you can use white granulated sugar, it will impact the texture. Using a blender or food processor, pulse white granulated sugar for finer texture. Optional: Add up to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, lemon extract, orange extract, almond extract or the flavoring of your choice.Storage Tips
- On Rolls – Cover with plastic wrap in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
- Separately – Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature and whisk to return to its original texture.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Delicious cream cheese icing which I used on my freshly baked cinnamon rolls. This one is a keeper, thank you!
Thank you!!
I made this and added vanilla bean paste. I’m obsessed with vanilla bean paste and add it to most deserts, this was so good and hard not to eat by the spoonful. Definitely will be using many more times with many more recipes.
Glad you enjoyed it! It really is hard to refrain from over-indulging on this one…I appreciate your willpower!
I haven’t made it yet, but I, too, love vanilla bean paste. Did it detract from the cream cheese? I mean, was it cream cheese flavored or vanilla flavored? My husband and I like cream cheese; our son does not. But, Julie’s simple icing sounds perfect to add a generous spoonful of vanilla paste. Great idea!
Very easy, and very good! I added 2 tsp lemon juice, and it gave it a little bite! Might use another tsp or a little sour cream next time for tart
Thank you, Steve!
Yes I did this too it was yummy
Super easy and perfect for drizzling!
This recipe was amazing! I just added a little bit of vanilla extract because I love adding vanilla to most things I bake. 🙂 will be making this every time.
Thanks for sharing! So glad you enjoyed it!