Easy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze

Want to try something new for Breakfast? Check out these fun easy cinnamon roll pancakes that you can make for the family!

What if you didn’t have to choose between a warm, gooey cinnamon roll and a stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes? These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes give you the absolute best of both worlds!

Fluffy pancakes are swirled with a rich cinnamon-brown sugar filling right on the griddle, then drizzled with a velvety cream cheese icing.

As a busy mom, I love recipes that feel like an extra-special weekend treat without taking hours of baking time. Whether you’re making these for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or just a cozy Sunday breakfast, this recipe comes together in under 20 minutes—and I’m sharing my secret trick to prevent the cinnamon swirl from burning on your pan!

What ingredients do you need for these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes?

For the Fluffy Pancake Base:

• Pancake Mix or Homemade Batter: Your favorite buttermilk pancake mix (like Krusteaz or Bisquick) or a standard homemade batter works great.

For the Cinnamon Roll Swirl:

• Melted Butter: Slightly cooled so it doesn’t melt the sugar into a liquid.
• Light Brown Sugar: Gives that classic caramel-cinnamon roll flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: The star of the swirl!

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature.
• Unsalted Butter: Softened.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing.
• Vanilla Extract & Milk: A splash of milk to get that perfect drizzling consistency.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Mix the Batter & Cinnamon Filling

• Whisk together your pancake batter according to package directions and set it aside to rest for 5 minutes (this makes the pancakes fluffier!).
• In a small bowl, combine the slightly cooled melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until it forms a thick paste. Spoon the mixture into a plastic sandwich bag, seal it, and snip a small corner off one side.

Step 2: Pour & Swirl

• Heat a non-stick skillet or electric griddle to medium-low heat (325°F) and grease lightly with butter or cooking spray.
• Ladle ¼ cup of pancake batter onto the griddle.
• Once the pancake starts forming little bubbles on top (about 1–2 minutes), take your cinnamon piping bag and carefully pipe a spiral swirl starting from the center and working outward.

Step 3: Flip with Care

• Use a wide spatula to gently flip the pancake over.
• Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes on the cinnamon side. Keep the heat on medium-low so the sugar caramelizes into a sweet glaze rather than burning!
• Wipe the griddle with a damp paper towel between batches to clear off any melted sugar.

Step 4: Glaze and Serve!

Stack your warm pancakes high, drizzle generously with cream cheese glaze, and serve immediately!

While the pancakes cook, whisk the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until silky smooth.

FAQs

Tips and Tricks

Don’t overmix the batter, it can lead to tougher pancakes. It’s okay if there are a few lumps.Pour the cinnamon filling into a squeeze bottle. This will help you get a perfect cinnamon swirl.

Allow the pancakes to cook until bubbles form on the surface before flipping them. This ensures a perfect golden brown finish.

This recipe is fun, but you need to be careful with the way you cook it. All instructions are included in the recipe card below but this is definitely not the way you make your regular pancakes. You have to have a bit more care with these yummy cinnamon roll pancakes.

Where to Serve

These pancakes are perfect for breakfast or brunch. They’re also a lovely surprise for birthdays, Mother’s Day, or any special morning. Why not even as a dessert after dinner?

Storage

Leftover pancakes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Make sure they are completely cool before wrapping in plastic wrap or placing in a zip-top bag.

Bake the cinnamon rolls as directed on the package, making sure to roll them out long and not too thick. Now comes the fun part!

Cut the cinnamon rolls into small pieces and place evenly over your pancake. Make sure there is a decent amount of dough for each piece (I call this the “filling” – makes it feel like you’re really eating a big ol’ cinnamon roll).

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

1. Pancakes not fluffy: This could be due to overmixing the batter or not letting it rest. Mix until just combined and let the batter rest for a few minutes before cooking.

2. Cinnamon filling oozes out: If too much filling is added, it can leak out and burn. Use a squeeze bottle for precise application and don’t overfill.

Place another pancake on top of the dough, again being careful with how thick you make this pancake. I don’t use syrup with these because they are so sweet but go ahead and eat them however you prefer your pancakes best!

It’s very important that you use a skillet WITH A TOP. The top will come in handy for this cooking process.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe ingeniously combines the best of both worlds: the warm, comforting flavors of a cinnamon roll and the fluffiness of pancakes. The cinnamon filling swirled into the pancakes caramelizes on the griddle, providing a delightful crunch in contrast with the soft pancake. The cream cheese glaze adds a tangy sweetness that perfectly balances the rich cinnamon. Altogether, it’s a dish that will make your taste buds dance in delight. It’s the perfect treat for any time of the day!

What are some other fun cinnamon roll recipes to try?

If you are looking for a full list of fun and delicious sweet breakfast recipes be sure to check out this list –> The Best Sweet Breakfast Recipes