Name: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe: Swirled, Glazed
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1¼ cups buttermilk; 1 egg; 2 tbsp melted butter; Cinnamon swirl: ¼ cup butter + ⅓ cup brown sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon; Glaze: 4 oz cream cheese + ¼ cup butter + 1 cup powdered sugar + milk

Introduction

Table of Contents

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are the ultimate breakfast mash-up: fluffy buttermilk pancakes with a buttery cinnamon swirl baked right in, finished with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze that tastes exactly like the center of a cinnamon roll—no yeast, no rising—just 20 minutes to pure morning decadence. Presented stacked high on a white ceramic plate with glaze dripping down the sides, optionally garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar, these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes offer golden edges, gooey swirls, and the cozy aroma that makes everyone race to the table.

Ingredients

For the Pancakes (makes 8–10 large pancakes): • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1¼ cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Swirl: • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze: • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2–4 tbsp milk (for drizzling consistency)

Step-by-Step Process

Make pancake batter
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry—stir just until no streaks remain (lumps okay).
Prepare cinnamon swirl
Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Spoon into a zip bag or piping bottle. Snip a tiny corner.
Heat griddle
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly butter.
Cook pancakes
Pour ⅓ cup of batter per pancake. When bubbles form (1–2 min), swirl the cinnamon mixture in a spiral from the center outward.
Flip carefully
Flip when edges set (cinnamon side up). Cook 1–2 more minutes until golden.
Make glaze
Beat cream cheese + butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk 1 tbsp at a time until a drizzling consistency.
Serve
Stack pancakes. Drizzle generously with glaze.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

• Batter should be thick—thin batter makes swirl bleed
• Piping bag or zip bag = cleanest swirl
• Cook cinnamon side down first—caramelizes beautifully
• Low-medium heat—high heat burns cinnamon before the pancake cooks
• Make glaze while pancakes cook—warm glaze drizzles best
• Double glaze—no one complains about too much

Variations and Customization

• Apple Cinnamon: add diced apples to the batter
• Pumpkin Spice: add pumpkin puree + extra spices
• Chocolate Swirl: Use Nutella instead of cinnamon
• Gluten-Free: 1:1 GF flour blend
• Mini Pancakes: smaller batter + swirl for bite-sized
• Maple Glaze: swap cream cheese for maple syrup

Storage and Serving Tips

• Best fresh—peak fluff and gooey swirl
• Reheat at 300°F for 5 minutes or microwave 20 seconds
• Fridge up to 2 days (glaze separately)
• Freeze unglazed pancakes up to 2 months—reheat then glaze
• Quick refresh: warm + fresh glaze drizzle
• Serve with bacon, eggs, or coffee

Nutritional Information

Based on 10 pancakes:
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Total Fat: 16g (Saturated 10g)
• Carbohydrates: 42g (Sugars 24g)

FAQ

1. My swirl sank—what happened?
The batter is too thin or the swirl too heavy. Next time, thicker batter + less swirl.

2. Can I make batter ahead?
Yes—fridge overnight. Stir gently before using.

3. No buttermilk?
Milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice—let sit 5 min.

4. Gluten-free version?
1:1 GF flour works great—texture almost identical.

5. How do I get perfect circles?
Use a ladle or measuring cup to pour an even batter.

Conclusion

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are pure breakfast decadence—fluffy, swirled, glazed perfection that tastes like cinnamon rolls without the wait. One stack and suddenly weekends feel slower, coffee tastes better, and everyone’s lingering at the table asking for the recipe. Keep buttermilk and cinnamon in the fridge, and you’re always 20 minutes away from the most indulgent, crowd-pleasing pancakes that make ordinary mornings feel like celebrations.