Some Saturday mornings just smell like home, and these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes bring that “just like Grandma’s” magic, but way easier. This dreamy mashup’s been all over Pinterest latelysticky-sweet spirals meeting fluffy pancakes? Yes, please.
We’re talking good old pancake batter swirled with a brown sugar-cinnamon mixture, topped with vanilla drizzle. Just basic pantry stuff, nothing fancy. It’s like cinnamon rolls crash-landed into a brunch buffet. Full details in the blog!
I grew up in a house where the best breakfast food came with plenty of butter and a little bit of chaos. I’ve tested this to keep the cozy but trim down the sugarwithout losing the magic. You’ll love the secret that makes it lighter but still indulgent.
Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Decadent and nostalgic: They’re like enjoying a cinnamon roll without waiting for dough to rise. Perfect for channeling those cozy, cinnamon-scented childhood Saturday mornings!
Beginner-friendly: The recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and easy steps that anyone can manage, even on a busy morning.
Quick enough for breakfast: Ready in under 30 minutes, these pancakes are a dream for when you need something special but speedy.
Flexible for everyone: With plant-based or gluten-free options, no one has to miss out on these delicious stacks.
Ingredient Breakdown & Substitutions
The beauty of these pancakes is in their simplicity, but there’s also a lot of room to make them work for you. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few handy tweaks:
Ingredient
Purpose
Swaps
Milk (1 ÂĽ cup)
Base liquid for pancake batter
Use any plant-based milkalmond or oat work well too!
Maple Syrup (2 tbsp)
Natural sweetness
Try honey or agave syrup if needed.
All-Purpose Flour (1 cup)
Main structure
Use King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure for a gluten-free version.
Butter (4 tbsp)
Richness in the cinnamon swirl
Go plant-based with vegan buttersame great texture!
Note: For the cinnamon sugar filling, you can swap brown sugar for coconut sugar if you’re aiming for refined sugar-free.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
If you can whisk and swirl, you’ve got this! Here’s how to make these pillowy pancakes:
Mix the batter: Whisk together your milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and baking powder. Slowly fold in the flour to create a smooth batterjust thick enough to coat a spoon.
Make the cinnamon swirl: Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Spoon into a plastic bag or piping bag, and snip the tip for easy swirling.
Prepare the frosting: Stir melted butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth. Set asidethis is your drizzle magic.
Sizzle and swirl: Heat your skillet to medium-low, add a touch of butter, and spoon in a small amount of pancake batter. Pipe a swirl of cinnamon mixture in the center, then cover with a bit more batter to seal it in.
Flip and finish: Cook until bubbles form on top, flip carefully, and cook the other side until golden brown. Top with frosting and enjoy warm!
Step
Time
Mixing batter
5 minutes
Making cinnamon swirl & frosting
5 minutes
Cooking pancakes
20 minutes
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Let’s keep your pancake-making smooth and stress-free:
Don’t rush the swirl: Keep the bag tip small and steadya shaky swirl still tastes amazing, but patience helps.
Avoid burning the sugar: Sealing the swirl with a thin layer of pancake batter prevents the cinnamon filling from caramelizing too much.
Lumpy frosting? If your cream cheese frosting feels thick, microwave it for 10 seconds to loosen it upinstant drizzle perfection.
Pro Tip: Always go low and slow on the skillet. Medium-low heat allows the swirl to cook through without scorching.
Serving and Storage
These pancakes are best served warm, but leftovers are definitely a win too. Here’s how to enjoy them:
Scenario
Storage Method
Reheat
Leftovers (up to 3 days)
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge.
Reheat on a non-stick skillet or in a toaster oven for best texture.
Freezing (up to 2 months)
Layer between parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag.
Defrost in the fridge, then warm on the stove or in the microwave.
Serving Inspo: Stack them high, smother in frosting, and serve with fresh fruit for a “breakfast buffet” kind of morningor keep it cozy with coffee and a good book.
Expert Insight: The Appeal of Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Cinnamon roll pancakes offer a clever twist by combining the soft, fluffy texture of pancakes with the sweet, spiced layers of cinnamon rolls. This fusion not only enhances flavor complexity but also allows for quicker preparation without compromising the indulgent experience typical of traditional cinnamon rolls.
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How Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Finally Became a Morning Favorite
I spent weeks tweaking this cinnamon roll pancakes recipesometimes the swirl was a flop, other times too sweet. After countless flips and taste tests (plus a few sticky fingers), I finally landed on the perfect balance of fluffy pancake and gooey cinnamon swirl that my family keeps asking for every weekend.
FAQs ( Cinnamon Roll Pancakes | perfect for Christmas morning ❤️🎄 Easy recipe! Everyone will love!! )
What makes cinnamon roll pancakes different from regular pancakes?
Cinnamon roll pancakes combine the fluffy texture of traditional pancakes with the sweet, spiced flavor of cinnamon rolls. They feature a cinnamon swirl mixture that’s drizzled into the pancake batter while cooking, creating beautiful spirals. These easy breakfast ideas are topped with a cream cheese glaze that mimics the iconic cinnamon roll frosting. The result is a stack of pancakes that tastes like your favorite bakery treat but cooks much faster on a griddle.
Can I make cinnamon roll pancakes ahead of time for Christmas morning?
Yes, you can prep several components the night before to make Christmas morning easier! Mix the dry pancake ingredients and store them in a covered bowl, and prepare the cinnamon swirl mixture in advance. You can also make the cream cheese glaze and refrigerate it overnight. For the best texture, mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients fresh in the morning. This simple breakfast idea saves time while still delivering that fresh, homemade taste your family will love.
How do I create the perfect cinnamon swirl in my pancakes?
The key to beautiful cinnamon swirls is using a squeeze bottle or plastic bag with a corner cut off to drizzle the cinnamon mixture. Pour your pancake batter onto the griddle first, then immediately squeeze the cinnamon mixture in a spiral pattern from the center outward. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect – rustic swirls look just as delicious! Let the pancake cook for about 2 minutes before flipping to ensure the swirl sets properly and creates those gorgeous cinnamon ribbons throughout.
What toppings go best with cinnamon roll pancakes?
The classic cream cheese glaze is the star topping that makes these pancakes taste like authentic cinnamon rolls. You can also add a pat of butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra sweetness. For a breakfast buffet presentation, consider offering chopped pecans, fresh berries, or even a dollop of whipped cream. Keep it simple though – these pancakes are already packed with flavor and don’t need too many additional toppings to shine.
Can I make these cinnamon roll pancakes healthier?
Absolutely! For healthier breakfast recipes, try substituting half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or oat flour. You can reduce the sugar in both the batter and cinnamon swirl, and use Greek yogurt in place of some butter for added protein. Consider using sugar-free maple syrup and making a lighter glaze with reduced-fat cream cheese. These modifications still deliver great flavor while making this indulgent breakfast a bit more nutritious for your family’s morning meal.
Wrapping Up Your Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Adventure
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are the perfect quick morning treatfluffy stacks with that guilty-pleasure swirl, ready in about 30 minutes. You’ll love how these keep the cozy flavors without the fuss, making your breakfast buffet feel like a warm hug.
Try adding chopped nuts or a dash of orange zest for a fun twist, and store extras in the fridge for easy mornings ahead. A trick I picked up from a pro baker: low heat keeps the swirl tender, never burnt. Simple swaps make it yours every time.
Did these pancakes bring back a special morning memory? Snap your stack, share your tweaks, or pass this recipe to a friend who needs a little breakfast inspo. Trust meyou’ll wanna make these again and again, and it’s worth every sticky, sweet bite.
Indulge in the best of both breakfast worlds with Cinnamon Roll Pancakes! These fluffy pancakes are swirled with gooey cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with luscious cream cheese glaze. Perfect for lazy mornings or holiday brunches. A delicious treat and easy breakfast idea that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
1 ÂĽ cup milk regular or plant-based
2 tablespoon maple syrup
3 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup regular or gluten free all purpose flour If gluten-free I recommend King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free flour Please don’t substitute any other flour such as almond flour baking flour etc
3 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoon softened butter regular or plant-based
½ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon melted butter regular or plant-based
2 oz cream cheese regular or plant-based
Instructions
Mix the milk maple syrup baking powder and vanilla together Then add the flour and mix until a pancake batter forms
In a smaller separate bowl prepare the cinnamon swirl mixture by mixing the cinnamon softened butter sugar together Spoon the cinnamon swirl mixture into a pastry bag and set aside until ready to use
Prepare the cream cheese frosting by mixing the powdered sugar melted butter and cream cheese together Set aside Alternatively you may drizzle these with maple syrup
Bring a skillet with a sliver of butter to medium-low heat Once the butter sizzles spoon in about 2-3 tablespoons of the pancake batter Carefully cut off the tip of the bag containing the cinnamon swirl mixture Hold the tip upright so that the contents don’t begin to drizzle out Carefully use the bag to draw a spiral of the cinnamon sugar swirl mixture in the center of each pancake
Pour an additional 1-2 tablespoon of pancake batter over the cinnamon filling to keep it from burning
Continue to cook the pancakes until bubbles form on the tops and then flip Cook for another minute or two until the pancakes are golden browned on each side
Before serving the pancakes drizzle them with maple syrup or cream cheese icing If the icing is too thick to drizzle you can microwave it for 15 seconds
Notes
You can drizzle maple syrup instead of cream cheese frosting for a different flavor
If the icing is too thick to drizzle microwave for 15 seconds
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
