Nothing beats waking up to the sweet, comforting aromas of cinnamon and cream cheese melting all over fluffy pancakes. This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe takes your breakfast game to a whole new level, blending a gooey cinnamon swirl right into each bite, finished off with a luscious cream cheese glaze. It's like your favorite cinnamon roll decided to have a pancake party—and you’re invited.

A stack of four thick pancakes sits on a white plate, each pancake golden brown with slightly crisp edges. Between each pancake is a thick layer of light-colored creamy sauce that drips down the sides, with a swirl of amber-colored syrup artistically spiraled on top of the stack. The plate rests on a blue cloth with a metal fork beside it on the right. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to say, this recipe quickly became a household favorite. There's nothing like the swirl of cinnamon sugar melting right into the pancake, and that cream cheese glaze? Pure magic. What makes it stand out is how simple it is to execute without sacrificing that bakery-level wow factor.

Swirled Cinnamon Goodness: The cinnamon sugar swirl is piped right into each pancake, giving you that classic cinnamon roll taste in pancake form.
Dreamy Cream Cheese Glaze: Made from scratch, this glaze is perfectly tangy and sweet, melting over warm pancakes like a charm.
Fluffy yet Decadent: The pancakes themselves stay light and airy, balancing perfectly with the rich cinnamon swirl and glaze.
Impress with Minimal Fuss: Despite the fancy flavor, the steps are straightforward—so you can wow family or guests without stress.

Two thick, fluffy pancakes stacked on a round white plate, with a swirl of amber syrup on top, glistening and slightly dripping down the sides. A silver fork rests beside the stack. In the background, slightly blurred, is a small white bowl filled with a creamy, pale spread. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth napkin partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a special role here—from creating tender pancakes to crafting that melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon swirl and creamy glaze. I always recommend using fresh spices and room-temperature dairy to get the best texture and deepest flavor.

Flat lay of a small mound of light brown sugar, a stick of unsalted butter partially melted, a wooden spoon heaped with ground cinnamon, a smooth block of cream cheese softened, a pile of powdered sugar, two large brown eggs with a slight shine, a small bowl of whole milk, and a heap of all-purpose flour, all beautifully arranged with soft natural light highlighting their textures and colors, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted lets you control the salt balance, and melted butter in the batter adds tenderness while in the swirl it adds richness.
Light Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar gives that deep molasses flavor essential for that true cinnamon roll vibe.
Ground Cinnamon: Freshly ground cinnamon (or good-quality pre-ground) is key for the warm, inviting spice.
Cream Cheese: Using real cream cheese at room temp ensures your glaze is smooth, creamy, and tangy—just like a classic cinnamon roll topping.
Powdered Sugar: Gradually added for smooth sweetness in the glaze without any grittiness.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts flavor complexity in the glaze.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for fluffy pancakes.
Baking Powder: The leavening agent that makes the pancakes rise light and airy.
Granulated Sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the batter.
Whole Milk and Eggs: Essential for moisture, richness, and structure—using room temperature helps it blend seamlessly.
Canola or Vegetable Oil: For lightly greasing your pan, ensuring pancakes flip smoothly without sticking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this recipe to fit whatever mood or ingredients I have on hand. Whether you want to cut back on sugar or add a bit of spice, this pancake canvas is super flexible.

Variation: Once, I swapped in almond milk for a dairy-free twist, and the pancakes stayed delightfully fluffy—great for anyone avoiding dairy.
Spice It Up: Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon swirl for extra depth.
Extra Swirls: Don’t be shy with the cinnamon swirl—it’s the star of the show. I often pipe more in, just to be sure!
Glaze Tweaks: For a lighter glaze, you can substitute half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Cinnamon Swirl

Start by mixing melted butter, packed light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a bowl until smooth and evenly combined. I like transferring this mixture into a piping bag—if you don’t have one, a sturdy zip-top bag with a corner snipped off works just as well! This will make swirling it onto each pancake a breeze without any mess.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze

Beat softened butter and cream cheese together until creamy and lump-free. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. If you’re prepping in advance, cover tightly and refrigerate. Before using, bring the glaze back to room temperature and give it a quick stir—it’ll be smooth and ready to drizzle.

Step 3: Make the Pancake Batter

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cooled melted butter, room temperature milk, and lightly beaten eggs. Stir gently until combined—the batter should be slightly lumpy, not overmixed, to keep those pancakes fluffy.

Step 4: Cook & Swirl the Pancakes

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low, lightly greasing with oil. Pour about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake. Immediately pipe a cinnamon swirl onto the top of each uncooked pancake. Because the sugar can burn quickly, I turn the heat down to low, then cover the skillet with a lid. This traps the heat and cooks the pancakes through, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Be patient here! Don’t flip the pancakes once the swirl is piped on to avoid burning the sugar. Instead, let the covered pan cook them thoroughly — you’ll get a tender pancake with that beautiful cinnamon swirl inside.

Step 5: Serve with Cream Cheese Glaze & Enjoy!

Stack your warm pancakes high, then drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze. I like to add a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon on top for extra flair. Serve immediately and savor every gooey, cinnamon-spiced bite!

Top Tip

After making these cinnamon roll pancakes dozens of times, I’ve found a few little tricks that really make the difference between good and unforgettable.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Leaving a few lumps means your pancakes stay fluffy; overmixing can lead to toughness.
Low and Slow Cooking: Keeping the heat low and covering the skillet cooks the pancakes gently, preventing burnt cinnamon sugar.
Pipe the Cinnamon Swirls Swiftly: Work quickly to swirl cinnamon sugar before the pancake surface sets for a perfect embedded swirl.
Bring Ingredients to Room Temperature: This little step helps the batter blend better and pancakes rise more evenly.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe

cinnamon roll pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple to spotlight that rich glaze and cinnamon swirl—sometimes just a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few chopped toasted pecans for crunch. Fresh berries also add a lovely fresh contrast and pop of color.

Side Dishes

These go beautifully with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a savory balance. A side of fresh fruit, like sliced apples or orange segments, lightens things up and complements the cinnamon sugar notes perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or brunch parties, I like layering them into a pancake stack “cake,” drizzling extra glaze between each layer and topping with whipped cream and cinnamon sticks. It’s always a showstopper and gets everyone excited to dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers I wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Pancakes keep well for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, I separate each with foil or parchment to avoid sticking together.

Freezing

I like freezing extra pancakes individually on a baking sheet before stacking them in freezer-safe bags. They freeze well for up to 2 months, so you can pull out a cinnamon roll pancake anytime you want a quick treat.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop them in the toaster or use a low oven (around 300°F / 150°C) for a few minutes. Adding the cream cheese glaze fresh is best, but if you want to drizzle leftovers, warm them slightly in the microwave first for that melty effect.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the cinnamon swirl without a piping bag?

Absolutely! I often use a zip-top bag in a pinch. Just spoon the cinnamon swirl mixture inside, squeeze it toward one corner, and snip a tiny hole for piping. It’s DIY-friendly and works perfectly.

Why do I cover the pan while cooking the pancakes?

Covering the pan traps heat and cooks the pancakes evenly inside, which is especially important because the sugar in the cinnamon swirl can burn if exposed to direct high heat on the surface. It helps create tender, cooked-through pancakes without scorch marks.

Can I prepare the cream cheese glaze ahead of time?

Definitely! You can make the glaze a day before. Just keep it covered and refrigerated. When you’re ready to use, take it out and let it come to room temperature, then give it a quick stir for easy drizzling.

What’s the best way to get fluffy pancakes for this recipe?

Use room temperature ingredients so the batter mixes well, don’t overmix to avoid dense pancakes, and use fresh baking powder for maximum fluffiness. Cooking on low heat and covering the pan also helps achieve that tender texture.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe holds a special place in my breakfast repertoire—it brings together the cozy, nostalgic flavors of cinnamon rolls with the comfort and quickness of pancakes. Trust me, taking the few extra steps to swirl in cinnamon sugar and drizzle the cream cheese glaze is so worth the little effort. Grab your skillet, give it a try, and get ready for a breakfast that’ll have you smiling bite after bite.