If you love soft, gooey cinnamon rolls and adore the nostalgic sweetness of classic sugar cookies, these Christmas Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate holiday breakfast treat. Warm, fluffy dough is rolled up with a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling and infused with the rich flavors of sugar cookies — then glazed with a sweet vanilla frosting that tastes just like holiday sugar cookie icing. Topped with festive sprinkles, each bite is soft, sweet, cozy, and full of Christmas magic. Perfect for Christmas morning, holiday brunch, baking nights, or seasonal gatherings, these cinnamon rolls will steal the spotlight on any festive table.
Why You’ll Love Christmas Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
These festive rolls combine the best parts of sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls.
- Soft, fluffy, bakery-style texture.
- Gooey cinnamon-sugar filling with sugar cookie flavor.
- Sweet vanilla glaze reminiscent of sugar cookie icing.
- Festive sprinkles baked right in and on top.
- Perfect make-ahead Christmas breakfast.
- Kid-friendly and guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
These cinnamon rolls are easier than you think and taste like a holiday dream. The dough is soft and pillowy, the filling is buttery and fragrant, and the frosting melts into every swirl. The sugar cookie-inspired flavors add something special to the classic cinnamon roll — making them extra festive and unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch or baking with family, these rolls deliver incredible flavor and a beautifully festive presentation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
For the Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional for sugar-cookie flavor)
- Festive sprinkles (optional but recommended)
For the Sugar Cookie Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Holiday sprinkles for topping
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
- Prepare the Dough:
In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, egg, vanilla, and salt. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms. Knead 5–7 minutes until smooth. - First Rise:
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour or until doubled. - Make the Filling:
Mix softened butter, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and almond extract until creamy. - Roll Out Dough:
Roll dough into a rectangle about 12×16 inches. - Add Filling:
Spread cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle festive sprinkles on top for a Christmas look. - Roll & Slice:
Roll tightly from the long end into a log. Slice into 12 rolls. - Second Rise:
Place rolls into a greased baking dish. Cover and rise 20–30 minutes. - Bake:
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until lightly golden. - Glaze:
Mix powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Drizzle over warm rolls. - Decorate:
Finish with holiday sprinkles and enjoy warm!
Nutritional Information (Estimated per roll)
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 5g
- Carbs: 46g
- Fat: 12g
- Sugar: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
Tips for the Best Christmas Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
- Make sure milk is warm, not hot, to activate yeast.
- Use room-temperature butter for easy spreading.
- For extra gooey rolls, pour a splash of cream over the rolls before baking.
- Don’t overbake — remove when lightly golden.
- Add sprinkles in the filling for a fun festive swirl.
- Let rolls cool slightly before glazing so it melts beautifully.
Variations & Substitutions
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the glaze for classic cream cheese icing.
- Extra Sweet Version: Add white chocolate chips to the filling.
- Nutty Holiday Rolls: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts inside.
- Gluten-Free: Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Shortcut Version: Use canned cinnamon roll dough and add sugar-cookie filling + glaze.
- Spiced Version: Add nutmeg or ginger for a warm holiday twist.
What to Serve with These Rolls
- Hot cocoa or peppermint mocha
- Eggnog latte
- Fresh fruit
- Holiday brunch dishes
- Scrambled eggs or quiche
- Coffee or chai tea
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using hot milk: Kills the yeast.
- Overkneading dough: Can make rolls tough.
- Rolling too loosely: Causes rolls to unravel.
- Overbaking: Makes rolls dry — keep them soft and gooey.
- Adding glaze too early: It may melt fully — wait 5 minutes.
Storing Tips
- Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days at room temperature.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked rolls (without glaze) for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in microwave or oven, then glaze fresh.
Conclusion
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Cinnamon Rolls blend two beloved holiday flavors — sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls — into one unforgettable festive treat. Soft, gooey, sweet, and decorated with Christmas cheer, they’re perfect for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday brunches, baking nights, or December gatherings. With warm spices, sugar-cookie flavor, and a snowy vanilla glaze, every bite tastes like pure Christmas joy.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make these the night before?
Yes! Prepare rolls, refrigerate overnight, and bake in the morning.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze after shaping; thaw and rise before baking.
Do I need almond extract?
No, but it adds the classic sugar-cookie flavor.
Can I use cream cheese frosting instead?
Absolutely — it’s delicious.
Can I make mini cinnamon rolls?
Yes — slice smaller and bake 5 minutes less.