Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Homemade fluffy pancakes that are perfected with a swirl of cinnamon and topped with a homemade cinnamon roll glaze. These homemade cinnamon roll pancakes are perfect for breakfast, brunch or breakfast for dinner!
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe
If you are looking for a fluffy pancake recipe that will blow your tastebuds out of the water, this Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe is just what you need to make. Homemade pancake mix with cinnamon and sugar swirls. It is like a cinnamon bun but better because it is in pancake form and so much easier to make than homemade cinnamon buns.
Make sure you also check out the video below on How to make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. I will warn you, it is going to make you hungry!
Every year for Christmas we always woke you to having cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I love that tradition but i was looking to put a new spin on it. This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe with cream cheese glaze was the perfect twist on a family Christmas tradition. I will warn you though, they don’t last long, everyone gobbles them up like crazy!
These cinnamon roll pancakes are seriously even better than a cinnamon roll. I know, I know you are thinking how in the world could a cinnamon pancake better than a cinnamon roll. Well, let me just tell you that once you take your first bite of these cinnamon roll pancakes you are going to know the answer.
It had the flavor of a cinnamon bun but the fluffy texture of a pancake. These are a homemade pancake, no box pancake mix used pancake that is amazing and full of flavor, nice and sweet, and goes perfect any morning. And don’t worry if you have never made pancakes from scratch it is fairly easy.
Easy Pancake Recipes
- Pancake Cupcakes
- Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Sugar Cookie Pancakes
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Birthday pancakes
- Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Chunky Monkey Pancakes
How to make cinnamon swirls in pancakes
You can use a ziplock bag when you are putting the cinnamon swirls in the cinnamon roll pancakes, however I find it easier to use squeeze bottles for my cinnamon filling. I also find it MUCH easier to cook these pancakes (and all my pancakes) on my griddle vs in a skillet or pan.
What to Serve with Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
With all of the sweet goodness in these pancakes, I don’t usually find the need to serve them with anything else but if you were going for a full breakfast spread, you can always add eggs and bacon! If you are looking for awesome breakfast side dishes check out some of our favorites:
- Brown Sugar Bacon
- Sausage
- Pork Roll
- Canadian bacon
- Fruit
- Fruit Salad
- Ham and Egg cups
- Greek yogurt parfaits
Tips for Making Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
When you make cinnamon roll pancakes, it is not much harder than making homemade pancakes however there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Use a nonstick pan or griddle. The cinnamon roll filling is sticky since it is made with sugar and butter, so your pan can use a bit of help to keep them from sticking.
- Use a thin spatula, it makes flipping the pancakes easier.
- Before adding the cinnamon roll filling wait until the bubbling has started while the pancakes are cooking. Otherwise, you will end up with your filling sliding out.
- You can make these pancakes whatever size you want to, however, my kiddos like to have large pancakes so I like to make them less large pancakes.
- Wipe your pan after each set of pancakes is done. You will have sugar burn on your pan if you don’t wipe the pan in between cooking.
- If you would like to have a brown tinted glaze you can by cooking the butter a little longer to give it the brown tint. It will taste the same no matter which way you cook it.
- Don’t flip your pancakes too soon (or too late).When you see the bubbles starting to pop flip that pancake over! Overcooking pancakes will also make them tough and unfluffy.
- Grease the pan well. It is also important that you grease your pan well. Pancakes will stick to a pan if it is not greased enough.
How do you flip a pancake?
The trick to flipping a pancake so it doesn’t break is to wait until there are bubbles on the outer edge and in the center of the pancake. Then use a thin spatula, slide it under the pancake and flip it over so the uncooked side is touching the pan.
How many times should you flip a pancake?
While it might be tempting to flip a pancake when the bubble first starts showing up, resist the temptation and let them cook for another minute, and then flip them. Pancakes should only be flipped once while they are cooking.
Why are my pancakes not fluffy?
If you are using old flour that can make your pancakes chewy instead of fluffy. It is also important not to over mix the pancake batter as that will cause pancakes to not be fluffy when they are cooked.
Can I store pancake batter to be used later?
Yes. You can make the pancake batter up to 2 days in advance and store it in the fridge in an air tight container.
How do I store leftover cinnamon roll pancakes?
If you find yourself with leftovers (unlikely!), you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 2 days. Just warm before eating.
How to Freeze Pancakes
This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with cream cheese glaze recipe will make you 3 large pancakes, but the recipe is super easy to double or triple, and who wouldn’t want to have these in the freezer ready to go where you just have to make the cream cheese glaze after warming them up!
Freezing pancakes is so easy. Just cook your pancakes and allow them to cool. Once they are cooled stack into piles of serving size you normally make. We do 3 pancakes per pile. Wrap each pile with plastic wrap and then put all wrapped piles of pancakes into a gallon size freezer bag and place in the freezer.
To reheat the homemade pancakes, remove a frozen pancake stack and heat in the microwave in the plastic wrap for 30-45 seconds depending on your microwave.
How do you reheat Frozen Pancakes?
To reheat the homemade pancakes, remove a frozen pancake stack and heat in the microwave in the plastic wrap for 30-45 seconds depending on your microwave.
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Ingredients
- unsalted butter
- light brown sugar
- cinnamon
- salted butter or unsalted butter
- cream cheese
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- all purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- milk
- egg
- canola oil or vegetable oil
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
When making the cinnamon roll pancakes first you will make the cinnamon roll filling. Stir together the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Scoop the filling into a quart-sized heavy zip baggie or a squeeze bottle and set it aside.
Once the cinnamon roll mixture is made you will make the cinnamon roll glaze. In a small sauce pan ver medium heat, melt the butter. Turn off the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until it is almost smooth. Sift the powdered sugar into the pan, stir and add in vanilla extract. Set the pan aside while you make the pancakes.
Next, you will make the pancake batter. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the milk, egg, and oil, just until the batter has combined.
Once the pancake batter is made it is time to cook the cinnamon roll pancakes. Preheat the pan or griddle over medium heat. Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter into the pan and spread it to make a nice circle. Reduce the heat to low. Snip the corner of your bag of cinnamon filling and squeeze the filling into the open corner. When your pancake begins to form bubbles, swirl in the filling.
Cook the pancake until the bubbles begin popping on top of the pancake and its golden brown on the bottom. Flip the pancake over. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is golden as well.
Repeat until you have made all of the pancakes.
When you are done cooking them, serve with the cream cheese pancake frosting drizzled on top.
Easy Breakfast Recipes
- Blueberry Pancakes
- Blueberry bread
- Banana Coconut Muffins
- Blueberry Banana Muffins
- Sugar Cookie Pancakes
- Refridgerator Cinnamon Roll Waffles
- Pecan Pie Waffles
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Pumpkin French Toast
Kitchen Basics
These are essentials for pretty much every recipe! They also make great gifts for those just starting to cook or moving out on their own.
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll filling
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese glaze
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
Recipe Video
Instructions
Cinnamon Roll filling Directions
- Stir together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
- Scoop the filling into a quart-sized heavy zip baggie or a squeeze bottle and set it aside.
Cream cheese glaze directions
- heat the butter over low heat in a small sauce pan until melted.
- Turn off the heat and whisk in the cream cheese until it is almost smooth.
- Sift the powdered sugar into the pan, stir and add in vanilla extract.
- Set the pan aside while you make the pancakes.
- NOTE: If you would like to have a brown tinted glaze you can by cooking the butter a little longer to give it the brown tint. It will taste the same no matter which way you cook it
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Whisk in the milk, egg and oil, just until the batter has combined.
- Preheat your pan or griddle over medium heat.
- Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter to pan and spread it to make a nice circle.
- Reduce the heat to low. Snip the corner of your bag of cinnamon filling and squeeze the filling into the open corner. When your pancake begins to form bubbles, swirl in the filling.
- Heat pan on LOW HEAT. Cook the pancake 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bubbles begin popping on top of the pancake and it’s golden brown on the bottom. Flip the pancake over. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is golden as well.
Notes
Nutrition
47 Weight Watchers SmartPoints per serving on the Freestyle Program
More Pancakes you will love!
- Funfetti Pancakes Mix
- The Best Homemade Pancakes
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Chunky Monkey Pancakes
Alissa says
hi! I love this idea!! I tried making this the other day and while the pancake was delicious I had an extremely difficult time getting the swirls to stay as is. Once I flipped the pancake over to the swirled side, the swirl would melt and create a puddle of cinnamon sugar. Any thoughts on how I can make the cinnamon sugar stay put in the swirl? Thanks!
Tai says
hello! I had the same problem Alissa had as well. I tried to use a knife to swirl the cinnamon into the pancake to see if that would work. It really just created a crusty mess. 🙁
Keli says
My friends and I made these tonight and LOVED them. The regular pancakes that we made after were a total let down after these.
MidgetMomma says
LOL My kids say that everytime I make any pancake but these 🙂
Donna Lenz says
HOLY COW ARE THESE AWESOME!! Family loved them and I (with your help) have created a monster hee hee! Thank you!!
JOCELYN says
An absolute HIT in our house……A+
Jody says
Just made these twice and had the same problem with the swirls. No matter how well the pancake is cooked, when you flip it, the butter sugar mix melts out all over the pan. I was so excited to make these for someone, but they were a messy disappointment. I’m sad and left down.
Anonymous says
I tried this and the same thing happened with the cinnamon filling because of the heat of the pan. I tried making normal pancakes and then smearing the cinnamon filling on after. It tastes a lot better and there is no burnt sugar flavor
Wondering mother. says
I want to make these but with all of the melting cinnamon stuff, I’m afraid to try it, any
tips. I have twin 2 year olds?
Stephanie says
You can make it just make sure you wait until the pancakes have cooled before serving my two year old loves these pancakes.
Katie says
AMAZING!!! We couldn’t get the swirl to stay either so we just mixed it in with the pancake batter and it was sooo good!!! New favorite pancakes. We also added some vanilla protein powder for a little extra.
Dani says
Will this work if I dont use the cream cheese glaze?
MidgetMomma says
the glaze you put on top but with out it you still have the cinnamon mix in the pancakes 🙂
Stephanie says
Yes, you may make this without the glaze. If you want you can just mix together powder sugar and milk until you get something that has the texture of paste and use that as your glaze.
Amanda Marie says
Oh my lanta! These look absolutely delicious!! They have something similar at Denny’s, but I am soo excited to make these at home!! Thanks so much for posting!
Amanda23 says
I was wondering if the butter can subbed out with oil?
Stephanie says
Yes you may used melted butter if you would like.
Jen says
The butter/brown sugar mixture looked nothing like the picture. It began to melt before I even turned the pancake over and got crusted on the side, then when I flipped, the remaining mixture poured all over the place. The bottom of my pancake had all these hollow spots. Wish the person who posted the recipe would respond to actual questions about how to fix this (since so many ppl failed) rather than just respond to people who were successful with it.
Stephanie says
I am sorry you had trouble with this recipe. I am not sure what happened because I have made this recipe a lot of times with swirls each time. The only suggestions I can give you is to make sure your bottom crust has really form and the bubbles stop popping before you flip the pancake. Also using a squeeze bottle is the best way to get the mixture thin enough of swirls. If you are using a bag just make sure you are only cutting a small hole.
Nel says
Yes I think the whole was too big. I also didn’t have a steady hand. It was good overall
Mary King says
I had to use a nonstick pan, but like everyone else, the cinnamon mixture melted after flipping and sticking to my spatula. I had to wipe out pan with paper towel after each pancake so the cinnamon mixture didn’t burn into the next pancake. Even after all this I would make them again anyway because they are delicious! Actually saw the recipe on tv with Bobby Flay brunch ideas.
Rae the breakfast maker says
To all with a issue with the filling I have solved the problem. Do NOT use melted butter. Use softened butter, I put the called for butter in the microwave for 6 seconds then added sugar and cinnamon and got a perfect paste consistency for the filling. I did add more cinnamon for my preference but the consistency is much thicker this way.
Stephanie says
Great tip! Thanks for sharing.
Nel says
This was so easy and delicious. I need to get the swirl down better but they came out tasty.
Jessica says
Followed the directions and the cinnamon melted like all the other comments said. The instructions need revised
Stephanie says
The recipe has been tested over and over again, you just need to make sure you are not making too thick of a cinnamon swirl. Check out here to watch a video on making these https://www.facebook.com/pg/MidgetMommaBlog/videos/?ref=page_internal
Emily says
I had trouble with the cinnamon too :/ It turned out really ugly, but at least they tasted good.
Suzanne says
These are so good! We love to indulge in these on Christmas morning!
Emilee McGann says
Taste just like Cinnabon, but they’re pancakes! I highly recommend cooking on a griddle.