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Easy Fluffy Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls…with sweet vanilla white chocolate frosting…just the holiday breakfast you’re looking for. Buttery, soft, and fluffy dough made with spiced eggnog for a seasonal twist. Swirled with cinnamon sugar and frosted generously with vanilla spiced eggnog frosting. There’s nothing not to love, every bite is melt in your mouth delicious. These are a great make-ahead breakfast rolls the whole family will love, perfect for your holiday celebrations!
The holidays just would not be the holidays without cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Like a lot of families, it’s tradition to have cinnamon rolls for our Christmas Eve breakfast…as well as a few times throughout the months of November and December.
Growing up, my brothers and I would bake the canned cinnamon rolls. I remember them being our favorite breakfast of the year. I mean, what kid doesn’t love a cinnamon roll, right? Some of my favorite holiday memories involve cinnamon rolls, I remember them being soft, fluffy, and so delicious. Of course, back then I didn’t know that homemade cinnamon rolls were even a thing
My mom loved to bake, and even dabbled in some homemade breads, but never cinnamon rolls. When I started cooking and baking in middle school one of the first recipes I decided to tackle was homemade cinnamon rolls. Trying out cinnamon rolls felt a little ambitious, but also so delicious. The funny thing is, that very first attempt at cinnamon rolls was actually quite similar to these.
We had leftover eggnog in the fridge but I had no idea how to use a splash of eggnog in place of milk in my cinnamon roll dough. I decided to wing it and just go for it. I also remember being so nervous to bake with yeast. My mom had bought Fleischmann’s® Rapid Rise Yeast, which made the process of making and baking the cinnamon rolls so simple and easy. Fleischmann’s® Rapid Rise Yeast cuts down on rising time and allows you to skip the longer rise times. It contains fine granules that activate faster without the need to dissolve first. So using their rapid rise yeast made baking my first batch simple and straight forward. Crazy to think that was over ten years ago…and I’ve been making cinnamon rolls every holiday season since.
With every season, my holiday roll recipe changes slightly. I like to add a different extra special touch each year. But for the most part, I stick pretty close to the classic cinnamon sugar flavor we all love most. With the help of my little sister, Asher, this year I’m taking inspiration from my very first cinnamon roll and we’re recreating them together.
Asher was very excited. She’s always helping me with the baking recipes, but her favorite recipe is cinnamon rolls. She loves them, and I love our tradition of baking them together every holiday season.
Let’s jump into the details.
First, I want to note that even if you don’t like eggnog, you will still love these rolls. I don’t ever drink eggnog, but I love creating fun holiday recipes using this spiced nog. It makes for the most delicious sweet treats and these rolls are some of the best.
The dough is the simplest to make. Simply mix flour with Fleischmann’s® Rapid Rise Yeast, and a pinch of salt. Add warmed holiday nog (use a high-quality variety), a touch of brown sugar, eggs, and salted butter. Then mix until smooth and let the dough rest for ten to fifteen minutes. Then it’s time to shape the rolls. And that’s the beauty of Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® yeast! We get to skip an entire hour-long rise, but yet we will still get the softest, fluffiest cinnamon rolls!
For the filling, I spread the dough with butter, then sprinkle on a simple mix of brown sugar and cinnamon.
I like to use brown sugar for a nice depth of flavor. And I go heavy on the cinnamon and ginger for sweet, cinnamon, ginger swirls throughout.
These are the softest, most fluffy cinnamon rolls, the flavor is beyond amazing. It’s like Christmas in a roll!
Shaping these easy fluffy eggnog cinnamon rolls…
Roll the dough, cut into rolls, and place them into a baking dish.
If you want to enjoy warm rolls fresh out of the oven you can do a quick rise and bake right away. Then simply frost, eat, and enjoy! Cinnamon rolls in under two hours. Perfect for baking up super last minute. OR, you can cover the rolls and let them sit in the fridge overnight, then bake up in the morning. It’s just a matter of what works best for your time frame!
While the rolls are baking, I like to make the frosting. Just mix eggnog with melted white chocolate and a splash of vanilla. Then add a little powdered sugar to sweeten them up.
As the rolls bake, your home will be filled with scents of Christmas. It’s a magical smell and immediately gets everyone excited for breakfast…or just a mid-afternoon snack. These rolls are great any time of day.
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, frost, serve, and enjoy every last sweet and delicious bite. They’re soft, fluffy, heavy in the cinnamon swirl, and perfectly spiced with light holiday nog flavors.
And gooey, SO gooey. These rolls are beyond good and our family’s favorite holiday breakfast. Hope you all enjoy too!
Lastly, if you make these Easy Fluffy Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Looking for other easy holiday breakfast? Here are my favorites:
Baked Cinnamon Crème Brûlée French Toast with Raspberry Preserves
Cider Pumpkin Waffles with Salted Maple Butter
Lastly, if you make this Easy Fluffy Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Fluffy Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls
Servings: 12 Cinnamon Rolls
Calories Per Serving: 745 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 – 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 packet Fleischmann’s® Rapid Rise Yeast
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup high quality eggnog, warmed (you can also use whole milk)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
Filling
- 1/2- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Frosting
- 1/4 cups high quality eggnog, warmed
- 2 ounces white chocolate chips melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- 1. To make the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 3 ½ cups flour, the yeast, brown sugar, and salt. Add the eggnog, eggs, vanilla, and butter. Using the dough hook, mix until the flour is completely incorporated, about 4-5 minutes. If the dough seems sticky, add the remaining ½ cup of flour a little at a time. It's better to have a stickier dough rather than a dry dough, so add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.3. Meanwhile, make the filling. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, and cinnamon. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment. 4. Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Turn out the dough, punch it down, and roll it into a rectangle about 10 x 16 inches. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar, and then the white chocolate chips, evenly over the butter and lightly push into the butter. Starting with the long edge closest to you, carefully roll the dough into a log, keeping it fairly tight as you go. When you reach the edge, pinch along the edge to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12-15 rolls. Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 20-30 minutes.5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.6. Meanwhile, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggnog, melted white chocolate, and vanilla until combined. Add the powdered sugar and mix well. Spread the frosting onto the warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
To Make Ahead: prepare the rolls through step 4. Do not let the rolls rise at room temp. Cover the rolls and place in the fridge (up to overnight). When ready to bake, remove the rolls from the fridge 30 minutes prior to baking, then bake as directed.
To Prepare and Freeze: assemble the rolls through step 4, then cover the pan and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the rolls overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours. Once thawed, bake as directed.
To Bake and Freeze: bake the rolls as directed and let cool completely. Cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm, then frost before serving.
To Use Active Dry Yeast: Mix 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast with the warm eggnog/milk and the brown sugar. Let sit 5-10 minutes, until bubbly and foamy on top. Add the flour and follow the directions as listed for the remainder of the recipe.
(This post is sponsored by Fleischmann’s®. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep HBH cooking!)
This post was originally published on November 24, 2020
Going to definitely make these for Christmas morning! In the description you mention ginger with the cinnamon. Do you add ginger to this recipe? Thank you…we love ALL of your recipes that we’ve tried!
Hey Staci,
Sorry for the confusion, there is no ginger in this recipe. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I just made these and they were FANTASTIC. I am not an experienced baker and I found these to be very easy. My four year old twin boys ate THREE and my egg nog and white chocolate-hating husband was groaning in pleasure. I will be making these again! Thank you!!
Thank you so much Rachel! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
UM. These are the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever eaten or made, and I work in a bakery as a pastry chef. I skipped the white chocolate, I don’t love things crazy sweet, and I adjusted the frosting proportion accordingly, and they are out of this world. Thank you!
Thank you so much Michele! I am really glad these turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Can you leave these out for a day or two with the eggnog icing on it?
Hey Ash,
You bet! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi! I am going to be making one of your cinn rolls recipes this year for my Christmas tradition of making cinn rolls for Christmas breakfast! Curious – – what is the difference between these and your other eggnog rolls? https://fett-weg.today/easiest-overnight-eggnog-brioche-cinnamon-rolls/#bo-recipe%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I want to make the best ones! Cheers!!
Hey Lauren,
The other ones are a brioche roll. I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Love love love these, so easy to make. Not a huge eggnog fan but LOVE the taste of it in these cinnamon rolls.
Thank you so much Kaitlyn! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
AMAZING!!! These are sooo good! I made them for a local bake sale and they sold so fast.
Thank you so much Joan! xTieghan
What eggnog do you recommend?
Hey Cindy,
I like the Organic Valley Eggnog. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Im from UK… was really looking forward to making these. But the dough just would not rise…i used plain flour, which apparently is the same as all purpose flour but i think ill try it again tomorrow with bread flour….so gutted! It had to go in the bin ?
Hi Leah! I am so sorry about that! Is there anything else that could have changed in the recipe? xTieghan
TEIGHAN!
I love all your recipes. You’re my go-to gal for years when I need help making anything. Thanks for your time and energy in putting food together, making recipes and sharing them because it’s truly a game changer! But, speaking of these cinnamon rolls. THEY. ARE. SO. DAMN. DELICIOUS. You did it with this recipe ??. The egg nog brings that subtle sweetness of spice and pure happiness. Shared this with my husband’s chaplain and his wife immediately asked for the recipe. You’re awesome!
Thank you so much Stephany! I am really glad yo have been enjoying my recipes! I hope you continue to!! xTieghan
quietly now … wow … just simply wow. Made these tonight for the first time and served them at the end of a small dinner for four piping hot out of the oven. Rave reviews from all present. Don’t skip the egg nog! It’s very subtle if you’re worried about overwhelming the taste. the cinnamon is first up, but the egg nog is there to add that special extra something. Oh, yeah … then there’s the white chocolate and egg nog icing. Like I said before … wow.
I am so happy these turned out so amazing for you, Dean! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
These were a joy to make and eat. Absolutely delicious!
I unfortunately had to completely omit the white chocolate from the recipe because the majority of my family dislike it.
Though, next time I make them, I’m definitely adding the white chocolate and not sharing with them!
Thank you for your amazing recipes. I have never been disappointed.
Thank you so much Jeanette! I am really glad this recipe turned out well for you! xTieghan
These look amazing! Are you able to make them without a stand mixer?
Hey Katie,
Yes you can mix with a wooden spoon and then knead by hand. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Sorry, the post says that the sponsored product reduces rise time to 10 – 15 minutes, but the two rises here total a minimum of 1 hour 20 minutes to overnight. Am I missing something?
Hey Saurs,
You get these these rise for a minimum of 10-15 minutes or you can continue to let rise longer or overnight. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Does the icing have to be refrigerated after icing the rolls?
Hey Amy,
You can store these on the counter or in the fridge in an airtight container. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan