Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Indulge in the festive spirit with these Vegan Gingerbread Rolls! A delightful holiday spin on the beloved cinnamon roll, each bite offers the warmth of gingerbread spices melded with the lusciousness of cream cheese icing. Soft, golden, and dripping with sweetness, they're the embodiment of Christmas morning joy. Serve them up during your holiday celebrations and watch as they become the star of your breakfast spread!

Two Versions

This recipe comes in two flavorful versions to suit your time and preferences. First, there's the traditional method using yeast, allowing for that authentic rise and fluffiness - it requires some patience due to rise time, but the end result is worth the wait. On the flip side, if you're in a hurry or don't have yeast on hand, there's also a quick version that can be whipped up in just 30 minutes! This no-yeast alternative is speedy and still yields a delicious result. Choose the method that works best for you, and enjoy!

Yeasted Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Ingredients

For The Dough

• 1 cup warm almond milk
• ¼ cup vegan butter, melted
• 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 3 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or 2 cups King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free flour; avoid substituting with almond or other baking flours)
• 1 tablespoon non-dairy yogurt

For the Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Filling

• ½ cup butter (regular or vegan), softened
• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
• 1 teaspoon ginger, ground
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• ½ teaspoon cloves, ground

For the Cream Cheese Icing

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 4 oz cream cheese (regular or vegan)
• 4 tablespoon butter (regular or vegan), softened

How To Make Yeasted Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Making the Dough:

1. In a bowl, combine warm almond milk, melted vegan butter, and maple syrup. Sprinkle active dry yeast on top, gently stir, and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
2. Gradually incorporate the flour, mixing until a dough forms. If using gluten-free flour, knead in the non-dairy yogurt to enhance elasticity. For regular flour, skip this step.
3. Shape the dough into a mound, covering it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Let it rise for an hour, placing the bowl in a warm area (like atop a preheated oven) for optimal rising.

Preparing the Rolls: 4. After rising, transfer the dough to a floured surface. Roll out into a ¼ inch thick rectangle. If using gluten-free flour, the texture might be slightly drier.

5. Spread the softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
6. Carefully roll the dough into a log and slice into approximately 10 rolls. Position the rolls in a baking dish without them touching each other. Cover and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F.

Baking & Frosting: 8. Once risen, uncover and bake the rolls for about 35 minutes or until golden brown.

9. As they bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Using an electric mixer, blend the vegan cream cheese, softened vegan butter, and powdered sugar until smooth.
10. Let rolls cool slightly, then frost. Serve and savor!

Instructions For Quick No-Yeast Version

Dough Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsweetened oat or almond milk
• ½ cup melted vegan butter
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (for a gluten-free version, use 2 cups of King Arthur's Measure for Measure gluten-free flour. Avoid substituting with almond flour or other types of baking flour)
• 1 tablespoon non-dairy yogurt (only needed if using gluten-free flour)

Filling Ingredients

• ½ cup butter (regular or vegan), softened
• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
• 1 teaspoon ginger, ground
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• ½ teaspoon cloves, ground

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 4 oz cream cheese (regular or vegan)
• 4 tablespoon butter (regular or vegan), softened

How To Make Quick No-Yeast Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Dough Making: In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond milk, melted vegan butter, and baking powder. Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour, if preferred) until you achieve a thick dough consistency.
3. Gluten-Free Adjustments: If using gluten-free flour, integrate the non-dairy yogurt into the dough using your hands. This ensures better elasticity and cohesion for rolling.
4. Rolling the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured work surface. Lightly flour its top and employ a floured rolling pin to roll it out into a slab, roughly ¼-inch in thickness. Evenly spread a layer of softened vegan butter across the surface, followed by a sprinkle of sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
5. Creating the Rolls: With care, roll the dough into a tight log. Slice this log into 10-12 equal pinwheels. Arrange these pinwheels in a greased baking dish, ensuring they don't touch each other.
6. Baking: Place the dish in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. For added golden color, you have the option to broil for an additional 1-2 minutes. Monitor closely to avoid burning.
7. Icing Preparation: While baking, whip together vegan cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until smooth.
8. Serving: Once baked, allow the rolls to cool slightly before generously icing them. Serve warm and savor each bite!

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Jillian Glenn

These vegan gingerbread rolls are absolutely delicious! They're the perfect Christmas time twist on classic cinnamon rolls. I've topped them with delicious cream cheese icing and the results are mouth watering! Celebrate the holidays this year with these golden sweet and spiced rolls!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings 10

Calories 373 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Classic Vegan Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Dough

• 1 cup unsweetened oat or almond milk, warmed
• ¼ cup melted regular or vegan butter
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 3 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 ½ cup regular or 2 cups of gluten free all purpose flour If gluten-free, I recommend King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free flour. Please don't substitute any other flour such as almond flour, baking flour, etc.
• 1 tablespoon non dairy yogurt

Quick No-Yeast Cinnamon Roll Dough - 30 Minute Version

• ¾ cup unsweetened oat or almond milk
• ½ cup melted vegan butter
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cup regular or gluten free all purpose flour If gluten-free, I recommend King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free flour. Please don't substitute any other flour such as almond flour, baking flour, etc.
• 1 tablespoon non dairy yogurt

Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Filling

• ½ cup softened regular or vegan butter
• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

Cream Cheese Icing

• 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
• 4 oz regular or vegan cream cheese
• 4 tablespoon softened regular or vegan butter

Instructions

 

Classic Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls - Preferred

• Prepare the dough by mixing the warm almond milk, melted vegan butter, and maple syrup. Sprinkle the active dry yeast evenly across the top of the mixture, stir gently, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
• Add the flour and mix until a dough forms. If using gluten free flour, add the non dairy yogurt into the dough and use your hands to work it into the dough. This step will make the gluten free dough more elastic and hold together better while rolling. If using regular flour, this step isn't necessary.
• Form the dough into a mound and cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Allow it to sit for an hour. I like to sit my bowl on top of a preheated oven. The warmth from the oven helps the dough rise faster. Note, if using gluten free all purpose flour, the dough will rise less than dough containing gluten.
• After the dough has risen for an hour place it on a floured surface and roll the dough into a ¼ inch oval or rectangle (add more flour if the dough is too sticky to roll). Note, if using gluten-free flour, the dough will be slightly more dry. Spread the softened butter to cover the dough. Top with the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Roll the dough into a log and cut it into about 10 pinwheels. Place the pinwheels into a baking dish so that they are close but not touching. Cover them with a towel or loose plastic wrap and set aside for another 30 minutes. Note, if your rolls are gluten free, they won't be as voluminous as rolls with gluten in them, but they'll be every bit as delicious!
• Once the rolls have risen, remove plastic wrap and bake the rolls in the oven for about 35 minutes.
• While the rolls are baking, make the vegan cream cheese frosting by using an electric hand mixer to mix together the softened vegan butter, powdered sugar, and vegan cream cheese. Allow the rolls to cool and spread the icing over the rolls. Enjoy!

Quick No-Yeast Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Instructions - 30 Minute Version

• Preheat the oven to 400
• Mix ¾ cup almond milk, ½ cup melted vegan butter, and 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder together. Then, add the 2 cups of regular or gluten free all purpose flour together and mix until a thick dough forms.
• If using gluten free flour, add the non dairy yogurt into the dough and use your hands to work it into the dough. This step will make the gluten free dough more elastic and hold together better while rolling. If using regular flour, this step isn't necessary.
• Place the dough onto a floured surface and sprinkle the top with more flour. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough into a ¼ inch thick slab. Spread with softened vegan butter, sprinkle with the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Carefully roll the dough into a log. Slice the log into 10-12 pinwheels and place them into a greased round dish. Bake the cinnamon rolls for about 20 minutes. Option to broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to give them more color.
• While the rolls are baking, you may use an electric hand mixer to mix the vegan cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar to make the icing. Allow the rolls to cool before frosting. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 17g

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