Saturday morning, Emma woke up asking if we could make "something special for breakfast, not just regular pancakes." He'd been talking about cinnamon rolls all week but I didn't want to spend three hours on yeasted dough before 9am. Then inspiration struck: what if we combined pancakes and cinnamon rolls into one incredible breakfast? That morning, we created these cinnamon roll pancakes, and they've been our most requested weekend breakfast ever since.The fluffy pancake base swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with cream cheese glaze creates the perfect combination of two breakfast favorites.
Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
These cinnamon roll pancake recipe treats have rescued countless weekend mornings when I wanted something special but couldn't face the multi-hour commitment of actual cinnamon rolls that require rising, rolling, and waiting before you can finally eat. You get all the flavor of cinnamon rolls in about thirty minutes from start to finish, which means you're eating while regular cinnamon roll dough is still on its first rise. I love that kids who normally resist breakfast devour these because they taste like dessert without the guilt of actually serving pastry at 8am on a Saturday.
What really wins me over is how these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes adapt to dietary preferences and restrictions without losing their essential character or indulgent appeal. Use whole wheat flour for healthier cinnamon roll pancakes that still taste amazing, swap regular milk for almond or oat milk for dairy-free versions, or make them gluten-free with appropriate flour blend. These homemade pancake swirl creations work year-round but especially shine on lazy weekend mornings when you have time to make something special without wanting to spend your entire Saturday in the kitchen. The leftovers reheat beautifully in the toaster or microwave, making them perfect for meal prep when you want special breakfasts ready throughout the week without daily cooking.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Ingredients You'll Need For Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- How To Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Your Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Storing Your Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Equipment For Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Variations
- Top Tip
- Why This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Works
- FAQ
- Breakfast Bliss Made Easy!
- Related
- Pairing
- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Ingredients You'll Need For Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
For the Pancakes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Optional Add-ins:
- Maple syrup
- Chopped pecans
- Raisins
- Extra cinnamon for dusting
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Step By Step
Make the Pancake Batter:
Whisk the dry ingredients together in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another, then gently combine them just until the flour is moistened and the batter remains lumpy. Avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes light and fluffy. Let the mixture rest for 5–10 minutes so the flour can hydrate and the leavening agents can activate, ensuring a tender, airy texture when cooked.
Prepare Cinnamon Swirl Filling:
Mix melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl until it forms a thick, smooth, spreadable paste. It should be warm and fluid enough to pipe but thick enough to hold its swirl on the pancakes. Transfer the mixture to a squeeze bottle or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped. If it’s too thick, warm it briefly; if too thin, let it cool. The right consistency ensures clean, defined cinnamon swirls that mimic real cinnamon rolls.
Make the Cream Cheese Glaze:
Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla, starting on low speed, then increase once combined. Add milk a little at a time until the glaze is pourable but still thick enough to lightly cling to a spoon. Keep the icing at room temperature so it stays smooth and easy to drizzle over the warm pancakes.
Cook and Swirl Pancakes:
Heat a greased non-stick griddle over medium until a drop of water sizzles. Pour about ⅓ cup batter for each pancake and gently spread it into a 4–5 inch circle. Quickly pipe a cinnamon swirl from the center outward. Cook 2–3 minutes until bubbles form and edges look set, then flip and cook another 1–2 minutes until golden and fully cooked through.
Serve with Glaze:
Transfer the pancakes to plates and drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze while they’re still hot so it melts slightly and soaks in. The warm-pancake, cool-glaze contrast makes them extra indulgent and gives that true cinnamon-roll feel. Don’t hold back on the glaze it’s what brings the whole cinnamon-roll vibe together. Serve immediately while the pancakes are fluffy and the cinnamon filling is still warm and gooey.
Add Final Touches:
For extra richness, dust the glazed pancakes with a little cinnamon or cinnamon sugar, and add chopped pecans or even a pat of butter if you want maximum indulgence. Maple syrup is optional the cream cheese glaze is usually sweet enough on its own. Fresh berries make a great, bright contrast that balances the richness. Serve with coffee, milk, or juice, and expect these to become a weekend favorite.
Smart Swaps for Your Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Healthier Options:
- Whole wheat flour → All-purpose (more fiber)
- Greek yogurt → Part of buttermilk (protein boost)
- Reduce sugar in filling → Standard amount
- Add ground flax → Extra nutrition
Dietary Alternatives:
- Almond milk + vinegar → Buttermilk (dairy-free)
- Gluten-free flour blend → Regular flour
- Vegan butter → Regular butter
- Coconut sugar → Brown sugar
Flavor Variations:
- Apple pie spice → Cinnamon
- Add cardamom to filling → Just cinnamon
- Orange zest in glaze → Vanilla only
- Maple extract → Vanilla extract
Storing Your Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Room Temperature (2 hours max):
- Don't leave out longer
- Bacteria grows on dairy
- Serve fresh then refrigerate
- Food safety first
Refrigerator (3-4 days):
- Store in airtight container
- Separate glaze if possible
- Reheat in microwave 30 seconds
- Or toast for crispy edges
Freezer (2 months):
- Make fresh glaze when serving
- Freeze pancakes without glaze
- Layer with parchment paper
- Toast from frozen
Equipment For Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Large griddle or non-stick skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk and spatula
- Squeeze bottle or zip-top bag
- Electric mixer for glaze
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Variations
Pumpkin Spice Swirl:
- Add pumpkin purée to batter
- Pumpkin pie spice in filling
- Fall breakfast perfection
- Seasonal favorite
Chocolate Cinnamon:
- Add cocoa to filling
- Chocolate chips in batter
- Double indulgence
- Kid-approved
Apple Cinnamon:
- Diced apples in batter
- Apple pie spice filling
- Caramel drizzle instead of glaze
- Autumn comfort
Banana Swirl:
- Mashed banana in batter
- Extra fluffy
- Natural sweetness
- Tropical twist
Top Tip
- These cinnamon roll pancakes represent something bigger than just a recipe – they've become our weekend ritual that marks the difference between rushed weekday mornings and leisurely Saturday time together. For years, weekend breakfast wasn't much different from weekday breakfast except we slept later. We'd eat quickly and move on to activities and errands without the meal feeling special or worth lingering over.
- But making these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes together has created a tradition that Emma and I both protect and prioritize. Saturday mornings now mean waking up without alarms, making these pancakes side by side while talking about the week and planning the weekend, then sitting down to eat without rushing or checking phones. The act of creating something indulgent and beautiful together has become as important as the eating.
- Emma has learned valuable lessons beyond just pancake technique. He's discovered that special doesn't have to mean complicated or time-consuming, that combining familiar things in new ways creates innovation, and that food tastes better when you make it with people you love. These lessons about creativity, efficiency, and connection will serve him long after he stops needing me to make breakfast.
Why This Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Works
These cinnamon roll pancakes succeed because they understand and combine the essential elements of both dishes rather than creating a confused hybrid. The pancake base uses buttermilk and baking soda which create fluffy, tender texture through acid-base reaction that produces carbon dioxide bubbles for lift. The buttermilk's acidity also tenderizes gluten for soft texture rather than tough, chewy pancakes. Resting the batter after mixing allows flour to fully hydrate and leavening agents to activate, creating maximum fluffiness during cooking.
The cinnamon filling uses melted butter as its base which allows it to stay fluid when warm but set slightly when cool, creating the right consistency for piping spiral patterns. Brown sugar rather than granulated provides moisture and molasses notes that taste more complex and closer to actual cinnamon roll filling. The proportion of sugar to butter creates a paste that's thick enough to hold shape but thin enough to melt slightly and integrate with the pancake during cooking rather than staying as a separate, hard layer.
FAQ
Can you use pancake mix for cinnamon rolls?
You cannot make traditional yeasted cinnamon rolls from pancake mix, but you can make quick biscuit-style cinnamon rolls or these cinnamon roll pancakes. For this recipe, yes – use boxed pancake mix as your base, prepare according to package directions, then add the cinnamon swirl and cream cheese glaze. It's a great time-saving shortcut.
What are cinnamon rolls called in the UK?
In the UK, they're often called "cinnamon swirls" or "cinnamon buns," though "cinnamon roll" is also widely understood. "Chelsea buns" are a similar British pastry with currants. The concept is universal – sweet dough rolled with cinnamon sugar – but regional names vary slightly.
Can cinnamon be added to pancake mix?
Yes! Add 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon directly to dry pancake mix (or flour) for evenly spiced cinnamon pancakes. Start with 1 teaspoon per 2 cups flour and adjust to taste. This creates consistent flavor throughout instead of swirled patterns, which is easier but less visually dramatic than the swirl technique.
Are waffle batter and pancake batter the same thing?
They're similar but not identical. Waffle batter typically contains more fat and sometimes more eggs for crispy exteriors. Pancake batter is slightly thinner. However, you can use this pancake batter in a waffle iron for cinnamon roll waffles – just add cinnamon to the batter instead of swirling since the technique won't work in a waffle iron.
Breakfast Bliss Made Easy!
Now you have all the secrets to creating these incredible cinnamon roll pancakes that prove special breakfast doesn't require hours of work or professional baking skills. From the Greek yogurt glaze alternative to the honey filling addition, this recipe shows that combining traditions creates something entirely new and valuable.
Want more special breakfasts? Our Healthy Brownie Waffles Recipe delivers make-ahead convenience. Try our Best Blueberry Donuts Recipe Baked In 25 Minutes for fruit-filled mornings. For chocolate lovers, our The Best Cottage Cheese Eggs Recipe satisfy sweet cravings.
Made these cinnamon roll pancakes? We love seeing your spiral patterns and hearing how they became part of your weekend routine.
Rate this Cinnamon Roll Pancakes! Your ratings help others discover these indulgent breakfast treats that make weekends worth celebrating.
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Pairing
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Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl (large) (For dry and wet pancake ingredients)
- 1 Mixing bowl (small) (For cinnamon filling)
- 1 Electric mixer (For glaze)
- 1 Whisk —
- 1 Spatula —
- 1 Griddle or nonstick skillet (Medium heat)
- 1 Squeeze bottle or zip-top bag (For piping swirl)
Ingredients
Pancakes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour —
- 2 tablespoon sugar —
- 2 teaspoon baking powder —
- 1 teaspoon baking soda —
- ½ teaspoon salt —
- 2 cups buttermilk —
- 2 large eggs —
- ¼ cup butter melted —
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract —
Cinnamon Filling
- ½ cup butter melted —
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed —
- 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon —
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg - Optional
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese softened —
- ¼ cup butter softened —
- 1 cup powdered sugar —
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract —
- 2–3 tablespoon milk - As needed for consistency
Optional Add-ins
- — — Maple syrup - Optional
- — — Chopped pecans - Optional
- — — Raisins - Optional
- — — Extra cinnamon - For dusting
Instructions
- Combine dry and wet ingredients gently until just moistened
- Mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to make filling
- Beat cream cheese and butter, then add powdered sugar and milk
- Pour batter, pipe cinnamon swirl, cook until golden brown
- Drizzle cream cheese glaze and add optional toppings before serving
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