This easy cream cheese cinnamon rolls frosting is rich, creamy and perfectly sweet. It’s the best icing recipe to top any cinnamon roll.

Frosted cinnamon rolls on cooling rack.

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Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls Frosting

This is my favorite cream cheese cinnamon rolls frosting recipe to use for homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s the best combination of buttercream frosting and cream cheese frosting.

It’s smooth and creamy, with a delicious sweet flavor. It adds the perfect richness to baked goods and is so easy to whip up in 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients!

We love to use this frosting for cinnamon rolls, but this icing also works great for sugar cookies and cinnamon roll cookies. It’s a must for this cinnamon roll casserole!

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Creamy and tangy. A cream cheese cinnamon rolls frosting is the perfect compliment for homemade rolls with ooey gooey cinnamon sugar.
  • Quick and easy. Made with just 5 ingredients in 5 minutes, this homemade cinnamon rolls frosting with cream cheese beats store-bought icing in flavor and texture!
  • Versatile. Spread on top of raspberry sweet rolls in the spring or pumpkin cinnamon rolls in the fall!

Ingredient Notes

  • Cream cheese: Make sure you soften the cream cheese before using.
  • Butter: Unsalted, softened butter works best. Learn how to soften butter quickly if you’re in a pinch.
  • Powdered sugar: Use more for a thicker consistency and less for a thinner consistency.
  • Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract adds a nice boost of flavor.
  • Milk: Use as needed for a thinner or drippier consistency. Cream will also work.

How to Make Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls Frosting

Mixing frosting in glass bowl.
  1. Mix. Beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla and beat just until combined and fluffy.
  2. Adjust. Taste and add more salt or vanilla if needed. If the mixture is too thick, add a Tablespoon or two of milk or cream. Too make it thicker or more sweet, add 1/2 cup more powdered sugar.
  3. Spread. Once ready, spread the frosting on top of warm cinnamon rolls with a spatula.

Consistency

This is a thicker cream cheese cinnamon rolls frosting, similar to the consistency of my 4-ingredient cream cheese frosting. If you prefer a drippier cinnamon roll icing, add more milk to make it more in line with a cream cheese glaze.

Frosting in a glass bowl.

Tips and Variations

  • Frost cinnamon rolls after baking. Spread the cream cheese cinnamon rolls frosting over rolls after they are done baking. I usually wait about 10 or so minutes.
  • Without cream cheese. I prefer the tangy flavor that the cream cheese adds, but you can make a classic buttercream, sour cream frosting or powdered sugar icing.
  • Make ahead. Whenever I make my overnight cinnamon rolls, I always make this recipe the night before too. It stores well covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
  • Freeze cream cheese frosting. Place in an airtight container and keep frozen up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

More Ways to Use Cinnamon Roll Frosting

This frosting isn’t just for cinnamon rolls! It’s also the perfect finishing touch to any sweet bread, cookies or dessert.

Frosting cinnamon rolls with a spatula.

Want more frosting recipes? This caramel cream cheese frosting or brown butter frosting are both delicious, too!

More Recipes You’ll Love

frosting cinnamon rolls with a spatula

Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls Frosting

5 from 5 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 16
This easy cream cheese cinnamon rolls frosting is rich, creamy and perfectly sweet. It's the best icing recipe to top any cinnamon roll.
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Ingredients 

  • 2-3 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • 6 Tablespoons butter , softened
  • 1 ½ – 2 cups powdered sugar , more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Milk or cream , as needed

Instructions

  • Combine. In a large bowl, beat 2-3 ounces softened cream cheese and 6 Tablespoons butter until smooth. Then add 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat just until combined and fluffy. Do not over mix. Add a Tablespoon or two of milk or heavy cream as needed.
  • Adjust. Taste and add a pinch of salt and more vanilla if desired. You can also add 1/2 cup more powdered sugar if you'd like it a little sweeter or thicker. Or add more milk or cream if you want it more of a glaze consistency.
  • Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Then spread over top of warm cinnamon rolls.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 74mg, Potassium: 10mg, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 272IU, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.