Best Cinnamon Roll Icing (Without Cream Cheese)

4.93 from 13 votes
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Delicious cinnamon roll icing can be made in minutes. This easy icing recipe is the perfect thing to spread over a warm batch of cinnamon rolls, cakes, pastries, and more.

Baking dish with cinnamon rolls.


 

Warm cinnamon rolls are a staple in our house on the weekends or during the holidays. This recipe for cinnamon roll icing without cream cheese is one that we use almost on a weekly basis and have been making it for as long as I can remember.

This is my favorite recipe to spread over store bought or homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s also great to drizzle over coffee cake, muffins, or use as a dip for cinnamon twists. I have even been known to eat it on a spoon because it’s just that good!

So pop your cinnamon rolls in the oven and lets get started.

Why you will love this homemade cinnamon roll icing

  • You only need four ingredients to make this delicious icing, and you probably already have them in your fridge and pantry! As long as you have butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, you’re ready to go.
  • A good cream cheese icing can be delicious, don’t get me wrong, but it’s much trickier to make. You have to let the cream cheese come to room temperature, otherwise your icing can end up lumpy. It’s also very easy to over whip, which leads to runny icing that won’t stick to your rolls. By eliminating the cream cheese, we avoid all these issues!
  • This icing can be ready in just 5 minutes, and it all comes together in one bowl with just a little whisking. Simply add the ingredients, whisk until combined, and you’re ready to spread this quick-yet-dreamy icing over your warm cinnamon rolls!
  • Despite the short ingredient list, it’s super easy to customize your icing however you like. Want it a little thicker? Use extra powdered sugar and reduce the milk. Thinner? Add a little more milk. Looking for a richer flavor? Use whole milk or half and half. Feel free to try little tweaks to find your perfect icing!
  • Looking for a dairy free option? This recipe works great with plant-based milk, or you can simply use water instead.

Reader Rating

I made this icing for cinnamon rolls today and it turned out perfect. thank you, for the recipe.” – Julie

Cinnamon roll icing ingredients

This super easy recipe needs just four simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

  • Powdered sugar – This can also be called icing sugar or confectioners sugar.
  • Milk – Use whatever milk you have on hand like 2%, whole, or even half and half.
  • Butter – Sweet cream, unsalted butter. ***I like melting my butter for this icing but you could also soften it to room temperature and use an electric mixer to combine the ingredients. This will make for a thicker frosting consistency.
  • Vanilla extract – You can use pure vanilla or extract. If you want that classic, super white icing color, use clear vanilla extract.
Bowl of powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla extract.

How to make the best cinnamon roll icing

  1. Melt butter in the microwave for about 20 seconds or on the stove until just melted. Make sure not to burn the butter.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
  3. Whisk until smooth. (You can also use an electric mixer.)
  4. ***Tip: Let your rolls cool 4-5 minutes before adding the icing. This will help the icing stay on top of the rolls.
Bowl of powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and milk.

Variations

Flavor: Want to change up the flavors? Try substituting milk with a flavored coffee creamer or even eggnog. Orange or lemon juice also work well for a citrus flavor.

You can also substitute the vanilla extract with almond extract or a splash of maple syrup.

Color: Add a dash of color by using a few drops of food coloring. You could also stir in some colorful sprinkles for funfetti icing.

How to store leftover icing for cinnamon rolls

Store: If you have leftover frosting or want to make it ahead of time, store the cinnamon roll icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last about 2 weeks.

Reheat: This doesn’t have to be reheated. You can leave out at room temperature for 30 minutes to make it easier to spread or if you want, microwave for about 5 seconds.

Recipe tips

How to make icing thicker? Add a little extra powdered sugar and reduce the milk.

How to make icing thinner? Add a little extra milk to the mixture.

How to get rid of lumps? This is an optional step but to help reduce lumps, sift the powdered sugar before mixing.

For richer flavor, use whole milk or half and half.

If you want a pure white color, use clear vanilla extract.

Can you leave out the butter? Yes, you can leave out the butter. This will make it more of a cinnamon roll glaze rather than a frosting.

Can you make icing without milk? Yes, you can substitute milk with water or a dairy free option.

Bowl of frosting with whisk.

FAQ’s

Can I double this icing recipe?

This recipe is enough to cover about 12 large cinnamon rolls. It’s easy to double this recipe if you have a large crowd, or even cut the recipe in half if you just want it for a few rolls.

Do you put cinnamon roll icing on before or after baking cinnamon rolls?

Icing should be spread on the rolls after they have finished baking. I recommend letting the cinnamon rolls cool at least 5 minutes before putting on the icing so that it doesn’t melt and run off the rolls.

Do you put icing on cinnamon rolls while hot?

It’s best to let cinnamon rolls cool for about 5 minutes before adding icing.

Try using this cinnamon roll glaze on:

Be sure to let me know if you made this recipe in the comments below. Enjoy!

More amazing recipes

Baking dish with cinnamon rolls.
4.93 from 13 votes

Cinnamon Roll Icing Recipe

By Heather
How to make cinnamon roll icing with 4 ingredients. This easy to make powdered sugar icing does not have cream cheese.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Add powdered sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract to a bowl.
  • Whisk together until combined. If needed, add extra powdered sugar or milk to adjust the thickness of the icing.

Video

Notes

How to make icing thicker? Add a little extra powdered sugar and reduce the milk.
How to make icing thinner? Add a little extra milk to the mixture.
How to get rid of lumps? This is an optional step but to help reduce lumps, sift the powdered sugar before mixing.
For richer flavor, use whole milk or half and half.
If you want a pure white color, use clear vanilla extract.
Can you leave out the butter? Yes, you can leave out the butter. This will make it more of a glaze rather than a frosting.
Can you make icing without milk? Yes, you can substitute milk with water or a dairy free option.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 15mg | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin A: 187IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. This amount would easily cover a couple or three dozen cinnamon rolls. LOVE how easy it was to “whip” together and the taste is fantastic.

  2. 5 stars
    Used it on Hawaiian roll French toast and it was to die for. 10/10 never forgetting this recipe, thank you so much 💖

  3. Didn’t have milk but had eggnog so used that and added nutmeg to bring out the flavour of the eggnog seeing as only 4 tbsp used. It was a hit with the family!!!

  4. 5 stars
    I just baked these. Omg, delicious and such an easy recipe. Thank you for the detailed recipe. Loved the step by step instructions. They are so fluffy and delicious. I was skeptical about the “one hour” recipe. It worked! I didn’t turn on my oven until I put rolls together. So they proofed a bit until my oven was ready.

  5. 5 stars
    I made this icing for cinnamon rolls today and it turned out perfect. thank you, for the recipe.

  6. 5 stars
    Made this as a king cake icing yesterday and it was hands down the best one I’ve ever made, all thanks to this icing! It’s so simple and absolutely delicious! Add a little cream cheese or switch vanilla for almond if you feel like it. So easy to tweak to your preference.

  7. 4 stars
    Supper easy!!! It does make A LOT so I usually have to to do a 1/3 of the recipe. Overall really good and I love how it doesn’t use many ingredients or a mixer. 8.5/10, I would 100% recommend!