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Home || Recipes || Baked Goods || Cinnamon Roll Icing

Cinnamon Roll Icing

Nov 27, 2019 · 33 Comments

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Cinnamon Roll Icing is what makes or breaks your Cinnamon Roll. This vanilla buttercream Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe is the best you’ll ever have!

Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe photo

Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe without Cream Cheese

Homemade cinnamon rolls can be an incredible dessert, breakfast, or snack, but beyond that, cinnamon filled center and fluffy breading is a cinnamon roll icing that holds it all together. There are many different options for topping a cinnamon roll, but a buttercream frosting or powdered sugar glaze are two of the more common preferences.

I think we can all agree that the cinnamon roll icing is what holds a good roll together. A plain cinnamon roll may be ooey-gooey and delicious, but without the frosting on top, it would seem like something is missing. With this recipe only needing 4 simple ingredients, there’s no excuse for a naked cinnamon roll.

This cinnamon roll icing is incredibly easy to make and super delicious to eat! You may even find that you enjoy it so much that you branch off from the traditional cinnamon roll use and find new ways to enjoy this cinnamon roll frosting! For example, using it as a dip for monkey bread bites, or as a homemade donut glaze!

Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe

Ingredients in Cinnamon Roll Frosting

  • Butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Milk

Exact measurements can be found in the printable recipe card below. This recipe is perfect for doubling or even tripling!

How to make Cinnamon Roll Icing

In a large bowl, cream your butter until it’s smooth.

Add in the powdered sugar and liquid, alternating. 1 cup of powdered sugar and then some liquid, going back and forth. This helps achieve the perfect consistency.

Generously pour the icing over fresh warm cinnamon rolls. I like to allow my cinnamon rolls to cool for 5 minutes or so before icing them, that way the icing stays on top and doesn’t just melt down the sides.

Cinnamon Roll icing in a bowl

How long will the icing last?

If stored correctly in an airtight container in the fridge, you can expect this frosting to last up to 2 weeks.

Can you make this icing without milk?

If you don’t have any milk handy, you can substitute for water. You could even use liquid coffee creamer, half and half, or another similar liquid, although anything flavored will undoubtedly change the flavor of this icing.

cinnamon rolls with buttercream cinnamon roll icing

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Pair your Cinnamon Roll Icing with:

  • Cinnamon Roll Recipe
  • Homemade Donuts
  • Monkey Bread
  • Apple Pull Apart Bread
pin image for cinnamon roll icing
Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe photo

Cinnamon Roll Icing

Cinnamon Roll Icing is what makes or breaks your Cinnamon Roll. This vanilla buttercream Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe is the best you'll ever have!
4.51 from 87 votes
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 12 large rolls
Calories: 186kcal
Author: Karli Bitner

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 1/2 tbsp milk

Instructions

  • Cream the butter until smooth.
  • Add in the powdered sugar one cup at a time, alternating with a liquid. (1 cup powdered sugar, vanilla, 1 cup powdered sugar, milk, 1 cup powdered sugar)
  • Ice warm cinnamon rolls generously.
  • Will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Shop My Favorite Kitchen Tools For This Recipe

  • Electric Hand Mixer
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingwithkarli or tag #cookingwithkarli!

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 68mg | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
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ABOUT KARLI

This blog is a little glimpse into my kitchen, family & life. I hope you’ll giggle the days away with me and enjoy the craziness that goes on at my house. There isn’t ever a shortage of crazy. I can promise you that! Buckle up, keep your hand and legs inside at all times and enjoy the ride! Read more...

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Comments

  1. Cathryn Choate says

    February 27, 2021 at 8:53 am

    Can this be made in larger quantities and frozen for later use?

  2. Stacg says

    April 4, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    What is the best way to store the pre-made icing until the following day? Room temp? Fridge? Plastic wrap right across top of container? Or plastic wrap pushed against it to keep it as moist as possible? (I’m a beginner!) So far I have just placed it on my counter in a glass storage container with the lid snapped on top. But I imagine it won’t last too long unless I refrigerate it? Thanks for the recipe!

  3. Karli Bitner says

    May 15, 2021 at 7:51 pm

    Sure! Just double or triple whatever you’d like. You can store it in the fridge for a few weeks or freeze it for a few months! Just pull it out when your cinnamon rolls are baking to bring it to room temperature.

  4. Karli Bitner says

    May 15, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    Hi there! Any of those will work great! If it is just for a few days, the counter is fine in an air tight container. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few weeks!

  5. Rynn GirlDad Young says

    August 15, 2021 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    Same here! Great recipe

  6. Debbie says

    October 16, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    I love it, but I had to use more then 1&1/2 tb of milk but as I did it turned out wonderful,maybe too much sugar,but either way my first time making any kinda frosting lol so proud of my self thank you so much.

  7. Julie Freeman says

    November 5, 2021 at 9:45 am

    Should the butter be cold or softened before using?

    Thanks!

  8. Julie Freeman says

    December 10, 2021 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    Should the butter be room temp before starting?

    thanks!

  9. makayla says

    February 3, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    5 stars
    i tried this chef’s kiss💋

  10. Cooking with Karli says

    February 20, 2022 at 9:56 pm

    Softened butter

  11. Cooking with Karli says

    February 20, 2022 at 10:16 pm

    Yes, or softened

  12. Katie says

    June 19, 2022 at 5:53 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. I make it with dairy free butter/ milk and turns out wonderful!

  13. L says

    August 6, 2022 at 6:03 am

    5 stars
    Unless I missed it, there is no serving amount in the nutrition label. Will you please say how much makes up a serving? It’s important for those of us on dietary restrictions.Thank so much!

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