Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (Printable)

Fluffy pancakes infused with cinnamon swirl and topped with a creamy glaze, perfect for a cozy brunch.

# What You Need:

→ Pancake Batter

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Swirl

09 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
11 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ Cream Cheese Glaze

12 - 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
14 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
15 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - 2 tablespoons whole milk

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Let the batter rest while preparing the swirl and glaze.
03 - Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Transfer mixture to a piping or zip-top bag and snip a small corner for piping.
04 - Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then whisk in milk until glaze reaches a pourable consistency.
05 - Warm a greased nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
06 - Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto skillet. Pipe a cinnamon swirl onto each one. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until bubbles form, then flip and cook an additional 2 minutes.
07 - Serve pancakes warm, generously drizzled with cream cheese glaze.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent enough to feel like a treat but come together faster than you'd expect.
  • The cinnamon swirl stays soft inside while the edges get slightly crispy, creating this perfect texture contrast.
  • Once you've mastered the piping trick, you'll feel like a pastry chef at your own breakfast table.
02 -
  • The temperature of your cooking surface is everything—medium-low prevents the outside from burning while the inside stays raw, which I learned the hard way on my second attempt.
  • Don't skip letting the batter rest; it gives the flour time to fully hydrate and makes your pancakes noticeably fluffier.
  • If your cinnamon swirl bag isn't working, a small spoon works just as well—it doesn't have to be perfectly Instagram-worthy to taste incredible.
03 -
  • If you want extra depth, add a tiny pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon swirl—it elevates everything without announcing itself.
  • The first pancake is always a test pancake for skillet temperature, so don't stress if it's not perfect; use it to dial in your heat and cook the rest flawlessly.
Go Back