These 21 Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Will Make You the Holiday Hero

Is there anything better than waking up on Christmas morning to the smell of warm cinnamon rolls baking in the oven? I’d argue no, there isn’t. That buttery, cinnamon-sugar aroma is basically what holiday magic smells like, and honestly, it beats expensive candles by a mile.

Here’s the deal: you don’t need to be a baking wizard to pull off amazing Christmas morning cinnamon rolls. Whether you’re looking for make-ahead options (because who wants to be up at 5 AM on Christmas?), quick shortcuts, or something extra fancy to impress your in-laws, this list has you covered. These 21 recipes range from classic crowd-pleasers to creative twists that’ll have everyone asking for your recipe. So pour yourself some coffee, get cozy, and let’s find your new holiday tradition.

1. Classic Overnight Cinnamon Rolls (The OG Hero)

Why It’s Awesome: Prep everything the night before, wake up, bake, and become an instant holiday hero. Zero morning stress required.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• Filling: 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon
• Frosting: 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Add warm milk, butter, and eggs—stir until dough forms.
3. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth.
4. Let rise 1 hour until doubled.
5. Roll into rectangle, spread filling, roll tight, and slice.
6. Place in greased pan, cover, refrigerate overnight.
7. Morning of: let sit 30 minutes at room temp, bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
8. Beat frosting ingredients and slather over warm rolls.

Why You’ll Love It

These are the gold standard for a reason. Soft, pillowy, perfectly sweet, and that overnight rise develops incredible flavor. The best part? You’re basically doing future-you a huge favor by prepping the night before.

2. Quick 90-Minute Cinnamon Rolls (For Procrastinators)

Why It’s Awesome: Forgot to prep? These come together fast and still taste homemade. No judgment here.

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 packet rapid-rise yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 egg
• Filling: brown sugar, cinnamon, butter
• Glaze: powdered sugar and milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients.
2. Add wet ingredients and mix until dough forms.
3. Knead 5 minutes.
4. Rise 30 minutes (rapid-rise yeast FTW).
5. Roll, fill, slice, arrange in pan.
6. Rise 20 minutes while oven preheats.
7. Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes.
8. Drizzle with simple glaze.

Why You’ll Love It

Sometimes you need cinnamon rolls NOW, and these deliver. They’re not quite as fluffy as overnight rolls, but honestly? When you’re eating warm cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, nobody’s complaining.

3. Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls (Christmas Spice Explosion)

Why It’s Awesome: All the cozy gingerbread flavors wrapped up in cinnamon roll form. It’s basically Christmas in pastry form.

Ingredients

• Basic dough plus 2 tbsp molasses
• Filling: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cloves
• Frosting: cream cheese frosting with 1/2 tsp ginger added

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add molasses to your wet dough ingredients.
2. Mix all spices into brown sugar filling.
3. Roll, fill, and slice as usual.
4. Let rise or refrigerate overnight.
5. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
6. Frost with spiced cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

These smell like Christmas had a baby with a bakery. The molasses adds depth, and those warm spices make every bite feel like a holiday hug. I made these last year and my kitchen smelled amazing for three days straight.

4. Orange Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls (Bright & Beautiful)

Why It’s Awesome: Tart cranberries and orange zest cut through the sweetness perfectly. It’s like sunshine on a winter morning 🙂

Ingredients

• Basic dough with zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• Regular cinnamon filling
• Orange cream cheese frosting (add orange zest and 1 tbsp juice)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add orange zest directly to your dough.
2. Mix cranberries into cinnamon filling.
3. Roll, slice, arrange.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Top with orange-spiked frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

The cranberries add little bursts of tartness that balance everything beautifully. Plus, these look stunning with those ruby-red berries peeking through. They’re festive without trying too hard.

5. Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns (The Gooey Champion)

Why It’s Awesome: Flip them over and reveal that gorgeous caramel-pecan topping. Prepare for applause.

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• Bottom layer: 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup chopped pecans
• Regular cinnamon filling

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt butter, brown sugar, and cream—pour into pan bottom.
2. Sprinkle pecans over caramel.
3. Place rolled cinnamon rolls on top.
4. Rise or refrigerate overnight.
5. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
6. Flip immediately onto serving platter (carefully!).

Why You’ll Love It

That caramel-pecan situation is absolutely incredible. Crunchy nuts, gooey caramel, soft roll—texture heaven. Warning: these are messy in the best possible way.

6. Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls (Bottled Holiday Magic)

Why It’s Awesome: Swap milk for eggnog and suddenly your rolls taste like Christmas morning in pastry form.

Ingredients

• Dough made with eggnog instead of milk
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg added to dough
• Regular filling
• Eggnog frosting (use eggnog instead of milk)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make dough using eggnog where recipe calls for milk.
2. Add nutmeg to flour mixture.
3. Roll, fill, slice normally.
4. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Make frosting with eggnog for extra flavor.

Why You’ll Love It

These taste like someone liquefied holiday magic and baked it into a roll. The eggnog makes them extra rich and that nutmeg just screams Christmas morning. Plus, you get to use up that carton sitting in your fridge.

7. Cream Cheese-Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls (Double the Decadence)

Why It’s Awesome: Cream cheese filling PLUS cream cheese frosting. Why choose when you can have both?

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla (for filling)
• Regular cinnamon filling
• Cream cheese frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Roll out dough, spread cream cheese mixture first.
3. Add cinnamon filling on top.
4. Roll, slice, place in pan.
5. Refrigerate overnight or rise 1 hour.
6. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
7. Frost generously.

Why You’ll Love It

The cream cheese center stays tangy and creamy while everything else gets warm and gooey. I once made these for a holiday brunch and people literally asked if I was selling them. IMO, this is the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

8. Apple Cinnamon Rolls (Pie Meets Pastry)

Why It’s Awesome: Diced apples tucked inside add texture and flavor. It’s like apple pie’s easier cousin.

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• Filling: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• Vanilla glaze

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté apples with 2 tbsp butter and sugar until softened—cool.
2. Roll dough, spread filling, scatter apples.
3. Roll, slice, arrange.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 28-30 minutes.
5. Drizzle with vanilla glaze.

Why You’ll Love It

The apples add freshness that cuts through the richness. They also keep rolls super moist. Just eat these the same day—apples can make them soggy if stored too long.

9. Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls (For Chocoholics)

Why It’s Awesome: Chocolate chips melted into warm cinnamon rolls. Need I say more?

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• Regular filling plus 1 cup chocolate chips
• Chocolate cream cheese frosting (add 3 tbsp cocoa powder)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make dough normally.
2. Spread filling, sprinkle chocolate chips generously.
3. Roll, slice, place in pan.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Top with chocolate cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

The chocolate chips get all melty and gooey inside. It’s like a cinnamon roll and a chocolate chip cookie had a delicious baby. Kids (and adults who are basically kids) go crazy for these.

10. Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls (Sweet Meets Savory)

Why It’s Awesome: Crispy bacon and maple glaze on cinnamon rolls. Controversial? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• Regular filling
• 6 strips cooked, crumbled bacon
• Maple glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make dough and filling as usual.
2. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over filling before rolling.
3. Roll, slice, arrange.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Whisk together maple glaze and drizzle over warm rolls.

Why You’ll Love It

The salty bacon contrasts beautifully with the sweet maple glaze. Some people think this combo is weird, but those people haven’t tried it yet. Trust me on this one.

11. Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls (Fall Meets Winter)

Why It’s Awesome: Who says pumpkin season ends in November? These bring cozy autumn vibes to Christmas morning.

Ingredients

• Dough with 1/2 cup pumpkin puree added
• Pumpkin pie spice in filling
• Maple cream cheese frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add pumpkin to wet ingredients (reduce milk slightly).
2. Mix pumpkin spices into filling.
3. Roll, slice, rise.
4. Bake at 350°F for 25-28 minutes.
5. Top with maple cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

The pumpkin makes these incredibly moist without being overwhelming. The maple frosting is the perfect sweet finish. These are especially great if you want something a little unexpected.

12. Chai Spice Cinnamon Rolls (Warm & Cozy)

Why It’s Awesome: Black tea and warming spices make these feel extra special and sophisticated.

Ingredients

• Dough made with strong-brewed chai tea instead of milk
• Filling: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves
• Vanilla cream cheese frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brew strong chai tea and use in place of milk.
2. Mix chai spices into filling.
3. Roll, fill, slice.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Frost with vanilla cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

These have a subtle tea flavor that’s really unique. The spices are warming without being overpowering. They pair perfectly with coffee or—obviously—chai tea.

13. Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls (Show-Stopping Pretty)

Why It’s Awesome: Gorgeous red swirls that look impressive and taste like red velvet cake met cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

• Basic dough with 2 tbsp cocoa powder and red food coloring
• Cream cheese filling: 8 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar
• Cream cheese frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add cocoa and red food coloring to dough.
2. Beat cream cheese filling until smooth.
3. Roll dough, spread cream cheese filling.
4. Roll, slice, arrange.
5. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
6. Frost with classic cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

These are Instagram-worthy gorgeous. The red swirls look festive and special, and the subtle chocolate flavor is a nice change from traditional cinnamon rolls. Fair warning: your hands will be red from the dough, but it’s worth it.

14. Lemon Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls (Fresh & Fruity)

Why It’s Awesome: Bright lemon and juicy blueberries make these feel lighter and fresher than traditional rolls.

Ingredients

• Dough with lemon zest
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• Lemon cream cheese frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add lemon zest to dough.
2. Spread filling and scatter blueberries on top.
3. Roll gently (blueberries can squish), slice, arrange.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 28 minutes.
5. Top with lemon cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

The lemon and blueberry combo is refreshing and perfect if you want something a little less heavy. The blueberries burst and create purple swirls that look beautiful. Just use a liner in your pan—blueberries can get messy.

15. S’mores Cinnamon Rolls (Campfire Vibes)

Why It’s Awesome: Graham cracker crumbs, chocolate, and toasted marshmallow topping. It’s summer camp meets Christmas morning.

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• Filling: butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 cups mini marshmallows (for topping)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix graham crumbs into filling.
2. Spread on dough and sprinkle with chocolate chips.
3. Roll, slice, arrange.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
5. Top with marshmallows and broil 1-2 minutes until toasted.

Why You’ll Love It

These are fun and nostalgic. The toasted marshmallow topping is sticky and delicious, and kids absolutely love them. Watch them carefully under the broiler—marshmallows go from perfect to burnt in seconds.

16. Nutella-Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls (Chocolate Hazelnut Heaven)

Why It’s Awesome: Nutella swirled into every bite. That’s it. That’s the pitch.

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• 1 cup Nutella
• Regular cinnamon filling
• Chocolate hazelnut glaze

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Roll out dough.
2. Spread Nutella, then cinnamon filling on top.
3. Roll, slice, arrange.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Drizzle with chocolate glaze.

Why You’ll Love It

The Nutella gets all melty and gooey inside. It’s ridiculously indulgent and perfect for Nutella lovers. I won’t judge if you eat three in one sitting—I’ve been there.

17. Cinnamon Roll Wreath (Same Recipe, Fancy Presentation)

Why It’s Awesome: Arrange rolls in a circle for a stunning holiday centerpiece. Same great taste, impressive presentation.

Ingredients

• Basic cinnamon roll dough and filling
• Cream cheese frosting
• Optional: dried cranberries, rosemary sprigs for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make rolls as usual.
2. Arrange in a circle on parchment paper (leave space between).
3. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
4. Frost and garnish with cranberries and rosemary.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s literally the same recipe but looks way fancier. The presentation makes it feel special and festive. People will think you went to extra effort, but you know better.

18. Cinnamon Roll Casserole (Easiest Option Ever)

Why It’s Awesome: Cut rolls into pieces, bake in a casserole dish. No perfect rolling or slicing required.

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• Filling ingredients mixed into melted butter
• Cream cheese frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make dough and let rise once.
2. Cut dough into chunks.
3. Toss chunks in cinnamon-sugar butter mixture.
4. Pile into greased 9×13 pan.
5. Rise 30 minutes, bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
6. Drizzle with frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

This is perfect if you’re intimidated by rolling and slicing. It’s casual, rustic, and tastes just as good. Plus, it’s easier to serve a crowd—just scoop and go.

19. Mini Cinnamon Roll Bites (Perfect for Grazing)

Why It’s Awesome: Tiny, poppable cinnamon rolls that are perfect for kids or when you want to sample multiple flavors.

Ingredients

• Basic dough
• Regular filling
• Simple glaze

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Roll dough thinner than usual.
2. Spread filling, roll, slice into 1-inch pieces.
3. Place in mini muffin tins.
4. Rise and bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
5. Drizzle with glaze.

Why You’ll Love It

These are adorable and perfect for portion control (or eating 10 instead of 2 big ones—no judgment). They bake faster and kids love them.

20. Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls (Nutty & Rich)

Why It’s Awesome: Brown butter adds a nutty, caramel-like depth that takes these from good to incredible.

Ingredients

• Dough made with brown butter
• Brown butter in filling
• Brown butter cream cheese frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown butter for dough—let cool before using.
2. Brown butter for filling.
3. Make dough and filling as usual with browned butter.
4. Roll, slice, rise, bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Make frosting with—you guessed it—brown butter.

Why You’ll Love It

The brown butter adds complexity and richness that’s absolutely delicious. It’s a small extra step that makes a huge difference. These taste gourmet without being complicated.

21. Vegan Cinnamon Rolls (Everyone’s Invited)

Why It’s Awesome: Plant-based but still soft, fluffy, and delicious. Nobody will know they’re vegan unless you tell them.

Ingredients

• 4 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 packet yeast
• 1 cup warm almond milk
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• Filling: vegan butter, brown sugar, cinnamon
• Vegan frosting: vegan cream cheese, vegan butter, powdered sugar, vanilla

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make dough with almond milk and coconut oil.
2. Knead, rise, roll, fill with vegan butter mixture.
3. Slice and arrange.
4. Rise and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
5. Top with vegan cream cheese frosting.

Why You’ll Love It

These are just as fluffy and delicious as traditional rolls. The coconut oil adds great flavor, and vegan cream cheese frosting is surprisingly amazing. Perfect for accommodating dietary restrictions without sacrificing taste.

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Your Christmas Morning Just Got a Whole Lot Better

There you have it—21 ways to become a Christmas morning legend with cinnamon rolls. Whether you’re team classic, team adventurous, or team “whatever’s easiest,” there’s something here for everyone.

The beauty of cinnamon rolls is that they’re flexible. Don’t like cranberries? Skip them. Want more frosting? Load it on. Prefer make-ahead? There are plenty of overnight options. Need something quick? The 90-minute version has your back.

The bottom line: Christmas morning deserves something special, and nothing says “holiday magic” quite like warm, gooey cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven. Pick your favorite (or try a few different ones throughout the season), and get ready to create some seriously delicious memories.

Now go forth and bake something amazing. Your family will thank you, your kitchen will smell incredible, and you’ll officially be the holiday hero. You’ve got this!