If you’re in the mood for cinnamon rolls, but don’t have the time or skill to make it, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with a Vanilla Icing will be the perfect fix!
I’ve mentioned it before….I am NOT a baker! A lot of the recipes you’ll find on my site are definitely for the novice bakers like myself. I may (or may not) tackles homemade cinnamon rolls one day. But in the meantime, these cinnamon roll pancakes will do the job!
What makes these pancakes, cinnamon roll pancakes???
I added a cream cheese swirl into my classic buttermilk pancake recipe while it’s cooking. Spread the thick vanilla glaze on the warm pancakes once finished. So all the components of a cinnamon roll are there, but in the ease of making a batch of pancakes!!!
How do I make pancakes?
Lucky for you, I have a step-by-step guide for making an awesome batch of pancakes. This ranges from putting together the batter itself, to cooking, and even storage!
The guide can be found here, along with another one of my yummy pancake recipes! (Hint: they’re red!)
How to make the cream cheese filling
It’s pretty simple to make any cream cheese filling! Softened cream cheese is whipped until smooth, then any flavoring of choice gets added and whipped as well. However, with this recipe, a little pancake batter gets mixed in as well. Why???
If the whipped cream cheese gets directly swirled into the pancake batter while it’s cooking, it oozes out a bit from the heat melting the cheese. While it’s still delicious, it may be a bit of a mess. Adding a little pancake batter helps the filling to also become a batter, keeping the pancake held together.
How to add the cream cheese filling to the cinnamon roll pancakes
Once the cream cheese mixture is put together, it gets scooped into a piping bag to squeeze into the pancakes while cooking. There is a little trick I like to use to make it easier to get the filling into the bag without making a huge mess, which also frees up one of my hands.
Place the piping bag into a cup, with the opened end of the bag facing up. Next, take the ends of the bag and fold it over the entire lip of the cup. This will keep the bag open so the filling can be put in with ease!
I don’t have a piping bag. What should I use as a replacement?
Also, piping bags are something that everyone does not readily have available at home, including myself. Don’t stress! I know there’s at least a sandwich baggie available!
Still follow the steps above of placing the bag in the cup to fill. Once filled, close the bag by either tying the opened end into a knot (or with the zipper if using that type of baggie.) Then snip a small corner of the bag. You’ll still be able to pipe the cream cheese filling into the pancakes like a pro!
My cinnamon roll pancakes with vanilla icing may or may not be your go-to when there’s a cinnamon roll craving in your home. I’d love to see your creation by tagging me on Instagram if you get a chance to make it! Don’t forget to also leave a review!!!
Sooooo, you’re in the mood for pancakes. Well, you should check out these recipes for Classic Buttermilk Pancakes, Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping, and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes!
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with Vanilla Icing
Equipment
- Griddle or cast iron skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Handheld mixer with whip attachment
- Measuring cup
- Piping bag (see notes above)
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Pancake
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ cup cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- olive oil or butter for cooking
Vanilla Icing
- 2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Preheat a griddle or cast iron pan on a stove to the setting above it’s lowest setting.
- While the griddle is heating, In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
- Pour the milk mixture in with the flour mixture. Gently whisk for about a minute to combine. Batter should be slightly lumpy and thick.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese with a mixer on low for 1 minute, or until smooth.
- Add cinnamon, brown sugar, and a half cup of the pancake batter. Whip on low for an additional minute, or until thoroughly combined.
- Scoop the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag. Cut off a small corner of the tip of the piping bag. Set aside.
- Add the melted butter to the mixture. Stir to incorporate.
- Heat a small amount of butter or oil in the griddle, just enough to coat the surface.
- Pour a little under a quarter cup of the pancake mixture onto the griddle. Spread out the mixture to make pancakes a little thinner and rounder. If cooking multiple pancakes at a time, be sure to keep them at least an inch apart.
- Immediately pipe the cream cheese mixture into the uncooked pancakes by gently squeezing the middle of the piping bag. The mixture can either be added in zigzags or swirls.
- Cook pancakes for 3-4 minutes on it’s first side. The uncooked side will create little holes and look a little dry. Once it’s at that point, flip and cook for 1 more minute.
- Drizzle the warm pancakes with the vanilla glaze.
Vanilla Icing
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk. Set aside until ready to serve.
These were such a fun treat for our weekend brunch at home! And easier to make than I thought. Thank you.
THIS WAS A HIT!!!!! I made waffles instead of pancakes. Only the first batch stuck to the iron a little bit. Plus we use the icon f and whipped cream because we fancy. My mother really enjoyed this recipe and she ate all her food which is extremely rare. She also had bacon. I had eggs.
A waffle version of this sounds amazing!!! Glad you all liked it!
I had a craving for cinnamon rolls but no time to go through all of the steps to make them from scratch. These pancakes HIT THE SPOT! So good and quick enough to whip up for a spontaneous decadent weekend breakfast. Loved it.
These cinnamon roll pancakes hit the spot! It is exactly what I needed! I was craving cinnamon rolls but didn’t feel up to making them from scratch. This recipe is perfect!! My favorite part was the cinnamon flavor with the vanilla icing! I’m definitely bookmarking this recipe to make again!
I love cinnamon rolls and I love pancakes so this dish really hit the spot. I plan to make them again for Sunday brunch!
omg this is just what I needed this morning! We had a snow day and I made these for my family and they devoured it within seconds!! I’m definitely keeping this recipe in my back pocket!!
Wow, I would have never thought to make cinnamon roll pancakes, but I’m so glad I did. These were amazing and made me feel like I was really eating a cinnamon roll. The icing was the perfect topping. Looking forward to making these again.
Yay! So glad you liked them, Stephanie!