Cinnamon rolls are getting a festive upgrade. These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls, complete with Spiced Brown Butter Frosting, are a must-make, holiday breakfast treat. If you thought regular cinnamon rolls were good, just wait until you try these!
To make the dough, begin by whisking together the sugar, yeast, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and 1 3/4 cups flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment.
Then, in a small saucepan combine the milk and butter and cook over low heat until the butter has melted and the temperature reaches between 105 degrees F and 110 degrees F.
Add the milk mixture, egg, and molasses to the flour mixture. Beat with the dough hook on low until moistened. Continue beating gradually adding the remaining 1 3/4 cups flour. If the dough seems too sticky, add another 1/4 cup flour. Beat for about 4 to 5 minutes or until dough ball begins to form.
Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered mixing bowl, cover the bowl with a towel, and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour. The dough should double in size.
In the meantime, prepare the filling. In one bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together the butter, molasses, and kosher salt. Set aside.
Next, butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12 x 16 rectangle. Spread the molasses butter over the dough. Then sprinkle evenly with the sugar mixture. Starting with the long edge closest to you, roll the dough into a log. Trim off the ends, then cut into 12 pieces. Place the pieces into the buttered dish cut side up. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size: about one hour.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for about 25 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned.
Finally, make your Spiced Brown Butter Frosting. In a small saucepan melt the butter over low until the butter turns a light brown color and smells nutty. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. In a medium bowl, beat together the cooled browned butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. If your frosting is too thick, add splash of milk. If your frosting's too thin, add a touch more confectioners' sugar.
Spread the frosting over the warm rolls and serve.