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Follow this simple cinnamon roll pancake recipe and the tips below to get that perfect swirl without burning the cinnamon.
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Cinnamon Bun Pancakes
These cinnamon bun pancakes have the soft and fluffy texture from my best pancake recipe, making the perfect base for that swirl of cinnamon sugar we all love.
Instead of mixing the cinnamon into the pancake batter, it’s cooked right into them, just like those Cinnabon buns from the mall. Here, I share my tips so you can achieve the perfect stack too!
What Makes Them Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
The perfect pancake is just the base for placing that irresistible cinnamon sugar swirl. And while you can serve these with syrup, if you want to go all out you can mix up a simple cream cheese glaze with cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
When making these, I like to prepare the cinnamon swirl mixture first and transfer it to a zip bag, so it’s ready when I start cooking. You’ll snip a tiny end of the bag and make a swirl on top of the batter, right after you pour it on the pan. Then, cook them for about 2 minutes per side, same as always.
The cream cheese glaze is prepared in about a minute by microwaving the cream cheese and butter and then adding the powdered sugar and vanilla. And when you’re ready, drizzle it over your stack.
Getting the Perfect Swirl
Cut just the tip of the bag, since a smaller line is better than too much pouring out over the batter. Worst case, transfer it to another bag and snip it smaller. When swirling it over the batter already on the pan, start in the middle and swirl out, making sure you don’t swirl over the edge.
TIP: Wipe down the griddle with a damp cloth or quickly rinse the pan between batches to remove any leftover cinnamon sugar. If you don’t, the residue will burn the next batch.
More Cinnamon Breakfast Ideas
If cinnamon is the spice that warms your heart, try these coffee cake muffins, these cinnamon roll overnight oats, this cinnamon apple bread, this cinnamon French toast, or these cinnamon toast crunch pancakes.
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (So Fluffy!)
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
Pancake batter:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch salt
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Cinnamon Filling:
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the cinnamon filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Transfer the cinnamon mixture into a zip bag and set aside.
Make the pancake batter:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the middle and add the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Use a fork to whisk the egg into the milk, then combine the other ingredients. Mix the batter from the outside of the bowl in, until it’s just combined.
Make the cream cheese glaze:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, place the cream cheese and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds to melt them, adding more time (if needed) in 15-second increments, mixing to combine each time. Once melted, add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and set aside.
Cook the pancakes:
- Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, grease it and immediately pour ⅓ to ½ cup of batter per pancake, using the back of the scoop to spread it out.
- Snip the tip of the cinnamon filling bag (make a very small hole) and squeeze the cinnamon in a spiral swirl on top of the pancake. Cook the first side for 2 minutes, and when the edges are defined and some bubbles have formed, flip the pancakes over and cook the second side for 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove them from the pan onto a plate.
- Wipe down the griddle with a damp cloth or quickly rinse the pan between batches to remove any leftover cinnamon sugar. If you don’t, the residue will burn the next batch. Repeat the process with the remaining batter and cinnamon roll filling.
Serve:
- Stack a couple of pancakes and drizzle some warm cream cheese mixture over the tops.
Notes
- Nutrition information is calculated without the glaze.
Brooke Organista says
Could you use an ap gf flour and if so would the measurement be the same?
Laura Fuentes says
You can use an all purpose baking mix that is designed for things like pancakes. I use Pamela’s baking mix and it works well 1:1.
Jaime says
I made these pancakes when my neice and nephew came to visit and they loved it. My nephew asked if he could mail a pancake back to his mother. lol!
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed them Jaime!
Kay says
These pancakes came out perfect.
Michele says
We had pancake night tonight and I did your cinnabon pancakes as a surprise. It was a hit! They were very tasty. My kids wondered why I was being extra particular about what they ate today but they figured it out once they saw dinner! Thanks for the fun recipe.
Laura Fuentes says
I’m so glad they liked them! These are one of those “on occasion” dinners…
Claire says
I LOVE these pancakes. So much easier than cinnamon rolls. I didn’t have the cream cheese but managed to make a still delicious syrup with rice milk, butter and powdered sugar. Thanks for this recipe!
Laura Fuentes says
Fabulous swap for the syrup!
Alana Demayo says
I didn’t have regular cream cheese so I used strawberry cream cheese instead wasn’t sure how strawberries would mix with the cinnamon, but it was delicious. Pancake recipe rocks! Thanks so much!