The Best Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls for a Magical Holiday Morning

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning to the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, infused with the festive cheer of egg nog. Our Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls aren’t just a treat; they’re a quintessential holiday experience. Each roll is generously slathered with a rich, tangy egg nog cream cheese frosting, making them the perfect centerpiece for your holiday breakfast or brunch. Get ready to create lasting memories with this truly special recipe!

Embrace the Warmth: Why Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Define the Holidays

There’s a unique magic that fills the air during the holiday season, and for many, it’s inextricably linked to the comforting smells wafting from the kitchen. Among these, the sweet, spicy scent of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven holds a special place. It’s a scent that evokes nostalgia, warmth, and the joy of shared moments. While store-bought options can be convenient, there’s truly nothing that compares to the depth of flavor and the pure satisfaction of homemade cinnamon rolls.

Admittedly, I’m not one of those extraordinary bakers who whips up a batch of scratch-made cinnamon rolls every single Saturday morning. But when a special occasion rolls around—think Christmas, Thanksgiving weekend, or a milestone birthday—these rolls become my go-to. They transform an ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary celebration, marking these moments as truly memorable.

The Irresistible Twist: Egg Nog Infusion

This isn’t just any cinnamon roll recipe; it’s an elevated version infused with the spirit of the holidays. Each bite of these Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls practically melts in your mouth, delivering a symphony of flavors that perfectly captures the essence of the season. The rich, creamy notes of egg nog are woven throughout the dough and generously incorporated into the luscious cream cheese frosting, creating a harmonious blend that’s both familiar and delightfully innovative.

The combination of classic cinnamon roll spices—warm cinnamon, perhaps a hint of nutmeg or clove—layered with the distinct flavor of egg nog makes these rolls truly unforgettable. It’s a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic that will have everyone reaching for a second, or even a third, helping.

The Art of Homemade Baking: Worth Every Step

I understand that making cinnamon rolls from scratch can seem a bit daunting, especially with the multiple steps involved. There’s the dough to prepare, the rising time, the rolling, the filling, and then the second rise, followed by baking and frosting. Yes, it requires a bit of effort and patience, but I promise you, the reward is absolutely worth every single step. The sheer satisfaction of pulling a pan of golden-brown, fragrant cinnamon rolls from your oven, knowing you created them from simple ingredients, is unparalleled.

Beyond the delicious outcome, homemade baking is an act of love. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the process, and creating something truly special for yourself and your loved ones. These Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls aren’t just food; they’re an experience, a memory in the making, and a testament to the joy of holiday traditions.

Quality Ingredients Make All the Difference: Featuring Bob’s Red Mill

As I embark on my seasonal baking adventures, I always turn to trusted brands for the best results. That’s why I rely on Bob’s Red Mill for their incredible range of products that consistently elevate my baking game. For these particular Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls, I used Bob’s Red Mill Organic All Purpose Unbleached White Flour, and for good reason.

This flour isn’t just any flour; it’s meticulously milled from high-quality wheat, which makes a significant difference in the texture and rise of your baked goods. For these rolls, it naturally aids in creating a light, airy dough that rises beautifully, resulting in cinnamon rolls that are incredibly soft and fluffy. It’s the secret to achieving that perfect, pillowy texture that makes homemade rolls so much better than anything you can buy. Whether you’re making breads, cookies, or these decadent cinnamon rolls, this flour is a reliable staple that will help you conquer the upcoming holiday baking marathon with ease.

Beyond flour, Bob’s Red Mill is my go-to for a wide array of baking and even cooking necessities – seriously, their lentils are absolutely fantastic! Their commitment to quality means I can always trust that my recipes will turn out perfectly, from savory meals to sweet holiday treats. Utilizing such high-quality ingredients ensures that every aspect of these Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls, from the foundational dough to the final, frosted bite, is nothing short of perfection.

The Star Topping: Egg Nog Cream Cheese Frosting

While the spiced egg nog dough is undoubtedly special, we can’t talk about these rolls without highlighting the truly decadent egg nog cream cheese frosting. This isn’t just a simple glaze; it’s a rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced topping that complements the cinnamon rolls beautifully. Made with confectioner’s sugar, melted butter, cream cheese, and a generous splash of egg nog, it’s smooth, tangy, and utterly addictive.

The frosting is what truly elevates these rolls from delicious to divine, adding that quintessential holiday touch. Its creamy texture and sweet, spiced flavor provide the perfect counterpoint to the soft, warm rolls. Trust me when I say, you’ll be tempted to lick the entire bowl clean to savor every last drop of this amazing frosting. It’s the crowning glory that makes these Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls an absolute showstopper on your holiday table.

Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

‘Tis the season to celebrate the holidays with all the egg nog deliciousness! Wake up to the delish smell on Christmas morning with these incredible homemade cinnamon rolls.

Prep Time: 2 hrs

Cook Time: 30 mins

Additional Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins

Category: Breakfast

Ingredients

Dough

1 cup warm eggnog
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp active dry yeast
1 stick unsalted butter, softened (8 Tbsp)
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp sea salt
4 1/2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached White Flour

Filling

3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened

Frosting

1 cup confectioner’s sugar
3 Tbsp butter, melted
2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 Tbsp egg nog
1 Tbsp heavy cream (optional, for thinner frosting)

Instructions

Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, pour the warm egg nog. Stir in the sugar and active dry yeast. Let this mixture rest for about 5-7 minutes, until the yeast becomes visibly foamy, indicating it’s active.
Prepare the Dough: To the foamy yeast mixture, add the softened stick of unsalted butter, large eggs, and sea salt. Beat these ingredients together on low speed until just combined. Gradually add the Bob’s Red Mill Organic Unbleached White Flour, beating on medium speed for approximately 3 minutes until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Increase the speed to high and continue beating for an additional 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, soft, and pliable.
First Rise: Remove the dough from the mixer and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently a few times with your hands to form a smooth ball. Lightly grease a medium-sized bowl with butter, place the dough ball inside, and turn it once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest in a warm place until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on your room temperature.
Prepare for Rolling: While the dough is rising, line the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper extends up the long sides of the pan. This will make it easier to lift the rolls out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper with butter.
Roll the Dough: Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 10 inches by 24 inches. Aim for an even thickness across the entire rectangle.
Create the Filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. This will be your flavorful filling.
Assemble the Rolls: Spread the softened butter evenly over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough rectangle, leaving a small border free along one of the long edges. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter, ensuring an even coating.
Shape the Rolls: Starting from one of the long edges (the one *without* the border), tightly roll the dough into a 24-inch log. Try to keep the roll as tight and even as possible to ensure beautifully shaped cinnamon rolls.
Cut the Rolls: Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into quarters first. Then, cut each quarter into 4 individual slices, making a total of 16 cinnamon rolls.
Second Rise: Arrange the cut slices in the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan, placing them with the cut sides facing up. Ensure there’s a little space between each roll, as they will expand. Cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap and allow them to rise again in a warm place for an additional 2 hours, or until they look puffy and have nearly doubled in size.
Bake the Rolls: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). Once preheated and the rolls have finished their second rise, place the baking pan in the oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through. If they start to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent them with foil.
Cool and Frost: Transfer the baked rolls in their pan to a wire rack and allow them to cool for about 30 minutes. While they are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar, melted butter, softened cream cheese, and egg nog until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If you desire a slightly thinner frosting, you can add 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
Serve: Once the rolls have cooled slightly, carefully grab the sides of the parchment paper that extend over the baking pan and invert the rolls onto a cooling rack. Gently peel off the parchment paper. Then, turn the rolls over onto a serving platter. Spread the luscious egg nog cream cheese frosting evenly over the warm (but not hot) rolls using a spatula. Serve immediately and enjoy the festive delight!

Tips for Perfect Egg Nog Cinnamon Rolls Every Time

Achieving bakery-quality cinnamon rolls at home is totally possible with a few key tips:

Warm Egg Nog is Key: Ensure your egg nog for the dough is warm, not hot. Around 105-115°F (40-46°C) is ideal for activating the yeast. Too hot, and you’ll kill it; too cold, and it won’t activate.
Don’t Skimp on Kneading: The long kneading time (10 minutes on high speed) is crucial for developing the gluten in the flour, which gives the rolls their soft, chewy texture. Don’t rush this step.
Warm Rising Environment: Yeast loves warmth. If your kitchen is cool, find a warm spot for rising—like near a sunny window, in a slightly warmed (but turned off!) oven, or near a pilot light.
Tight Rolling: When rolling the dough into a log, make sure it’s as tight as possible. This helps create those beautiful, distinct swirls in your cinnamon rolls.
Even Slicing: Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to cut the rolls. Dental floss gives a cleaner cut and prevents squishing the delicate dough.
Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will result in dry rolls. Look for a golden-brown top, but remember that they will continue to cook slightly from residual heat once removed from the oven.
Frosting Consistency: Adjust the consistency of your frosting with a tiny bit more egg nog or confectioner’s sugar if needed, to get it perfectly spreadable.

Bob’s Red Mill Giveaway!

That’s exactly why Bob’s Red Mill and I are thrilled to partner up and bring you an exciting giveaway to kick off this baking season the *right* way! This is your chance to win a 5lb bag of Bob’s Red Mill Organic All Purpose Unbleached White Flour AND a $50 Bob’s Red Mill gift card! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to stock your pantry with premium baking ingredients. Check out the giveaway widget below the recipe for your chance to win!

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: I received free product and compensation from Bob’s Red Mill as part of this post. As always, all opinions and recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!

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