Delicious Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

Transform your ordinary breakfast into something extraordinary with these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes! These fluffy pancakes swirled with warm cinnamon sugar and topped with cream cheese glaze deliver all the flavors of your favorite cinnamon rolls but in pancake form. Perfect for weekend brunches or special mornings when you want to treat yourself without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of pillowy pancakes, caramelized cinnamon swirls, and tangy cream cheese glaze creates an irresistible breakfast that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Best of Both Worlds: Combines two breakfast favorites—pancakes and cinnamon rolls—into one incredible dish that satisfies all your morning cravings.
• Impressive But Easy: Looks like you spent hours making them, but they come together in about 25 minutes from start to finish.
• Customizable: Works beautifully with homemade pancake batter or your favorite boxed mix when you’re in a hurry.
• Family Favorite: Watch faces light up when you serve these at the breakfast table—kids and adults alike can’t resist these special pancakes.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pancakes:

• All-purpose flour: Creates the structure for fluffy, tender pancakes.
• Baking powder: The leavening agent that makes your pancakes rise to perfect fluffiness.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Milk: Adds moisture and creates the right batter consistency.
• Egg: Provides structure and richness to the pancakes.
• Oil: Keeps the pancakes moist and helps prevent sticking.

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• Butter: Once melted, it helps the cinnamon mixture spread beautifully in swirls.
• Brown sugar: Provides that caramel-like sweetness and helps create the gooey cinnamon swirl.
• Cinnamon: The star spice that gives these pancakes their distinctive warm flavor.

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the glaze.
• Cream cheese: Provides that signature tangy flavor that balances the sweetness.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the glaze while keeping it smooth and drizzle-ready.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with subtle warmth and depth.

Variations

Flavor Twists:

• Pumpkin Spice: Add 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon filling for a fall-inspired version.
• Orange Glaze: Mix some orange zest into the cream cheese glaze for a bright citrus twist.
• Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips onto the pancakes right after adding the cinnamon swirl.

Dietary Adaptations:

• Gluten-Free: Substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
• Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives.
• Whole Grain: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined. Transfer to a sandwich-sized zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner to create a makeshift piping bag. Set aside to slightly thicken while you prepare the other components.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and cream cheese together for about 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whisking until no lumps remain. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Pancake Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, combine the milk, beaten egg, and oil. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Don’t overmix—a few small lumps are perfectly fine.

Step 4: Cook the Pancakes

Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Once the pancake begins to form bubbles (about 1 minute), use your cinnamon filling bag to pipe a spiral starting from the center and working outward.

Step 5: Flip and Finish

When the edges look set and the bubbles begin to pop (about 2-3 minutes total), carefully flip the pancake. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The cinnamon swirl will caramelize on the bottom side.

Step 6: Serve

Stack your pancakes on a plate and drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze while they’re still warm.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Keep the heat medium-low: Too high heat will burn the cinnamon sugar before the pancakes cook through.
• Let the cinnamon filling thicken slightly: If it’s too runny, it will spread too much and lose the swirl pattern.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Leave enough space between pancakes so you can easily flip them.
• Wipe the pan between batches: The caramelized sugar can burn, so clean your pan or griddle between batches for best results.
• Rest your batter: Let the pancake batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking—this allows the gluten to relax and the baking powder to activate.

How to Serve

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are a complete breakfast experience on their own, but there are several delicious ways to serve them:

Sweet Pairings:

Serve with additional toppings like fresh berries, sliced bananas, toasted nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra indulgence.

Savory Balance:

Balance the sweetness by serving alongside savory breakfast items like crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or a simple fruit salad.

Beverage Companions:

Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or cold milk for the perfect breakfast combination.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead Tips

Prepare the cinnamon filling and cream cheese glaze up to 2 days ahead and store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using, and reheat the glaze gently if needed.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Freezing

These pancakes freeze beautifully! Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For best results, reheat frozen or refrigerated pancakes in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave them for 20-30 seconds, though they won’t be as crisp.

Store the cream cheese glaze separately and add it after reheating the pancakes for the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

Why did my cinnamon filling leak out during cooking?
If your cinnamon filling is too thin, it can leak out instead of creating defined swirls. Make sure your butter isn’t too hot when mixing the filling, and let it cool slightly to thicken before using. Also, wait until the pancake batter has started to set before adding the swirl.

Can I make the batter the night before?
While you can prepare the cinnamon filling and cream cheese glaze ahead of time, pancake batter is best made fresh. The baking powder activates when mixed with liquid, so if you make the batter too far in advance, your pancakes won’t be as fluffy. If you must prepare ahead, mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then combine just before cooking.

My pancakes are burning before they’re cooked through. What am I doing wrong?
The sugar in the cinnamon swirl caramelizes quickly, which can cause burning if your heat is too high. Lower your heat to medium-low and be patient—these pancakes take a little longer than regular ones. Also, make sure to clean your pan between batches to remove any burnt sugar.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Absolutely! You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour without significantly changing the texture. For a complete substitution, you may need to add a bit more liquid as whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are truly the best of both breakfast worlds! They deliver all the comfort and flavor of homemade cinnamon rolls but with the ease and speed of pancakes. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just want to make an ordinary morning extraordinary, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. The warm cinnamon swirls, fluffy pancake base, and creamy glaze create the perfect harmony of flavors and textures that will have everyone at your table smiling. Give them a try this weekend—your breakfast table will never be the same!

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