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.
Perfect glaze for my fresh baked cinnamon rolls. Hubby says it’s better than Cinnabon.
Thank you, Judy!
Tasty and easy . . . I like that I don’t have to sift the confectioner’s sugar like some other recipes.
No need to waste time! Happy Thanksgiving!
Great recipe. Used it on banana bread.
Amazing idea!
I will keep this recipe for my cinnamon rolls. I omitted the milk and used Cinnabon milk 4 tab. And still used 1/2 tsp vanilla. If you want it thinner add another tab of milk. Taste it as you go . The cinnamon roll milk makes it really awesome! Tks
Jon
I added a little vanilla, no milk out on warm cinnamon rolls and it was amazing!