Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – A Sweet Breakfast Delight

Sharing is caring!

If you ask me what comfort tastes like, I’ll probably say “cinnamon” before the sentence finishes. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are everything I love about slow mornings a cozy swirl of brown sugar and spice tucked into soft, golden pancakes. They bring together the heartwarming sweetness of cinnamon rolls with the ease of a pancake breakfast. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself on a quiet Sunday, this recipe feels like a little celebration on a plate. Today, I’ll walk you through the steps to get those gooey centers, that perfect cream cheese glaze, and the fluffiest pancake stack you’ve ever met.

Table of Contents

Print

Warm Memories Meet Weekend Magic

Pancakes with a Cinnamon Soul
One rainy fall morning in West Lafayette, my daughter asked if we could have pancakes and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I laughed then paused. Why not both? I grabbed my sourdough discard starter and an idea started to form. I whipped up my go-to pancake batter and added a cinnamon sugar swirl I usually save for rolls. The result was nothing short of magical: soft pancakes with golden, caramelized spirals and buttery cinnamon flavor in every bite. Since then, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes have become our go-to comfort food especially when the weather calls for slippers and second cups of coffee.

Why Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Hit Different
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes don’t just taste good they feel special. They’re sweet but not cloying, rich but balanced, and filled with texture: the crisp edges, the soft middle, the warm cinnamon that hits you before the first bite. You get all the nostalgic joy of a homemade cinnamon roll, but with the speed of your favorite weekend pancake recipe. Using this hybrid approach, especially when drawing from sourdough-based treats like my Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Roll Bites or Cinnamon Sugar Knots, means you can create something familiar yet surprisingly new. This recipe is easy to make and impossible to forget and you’ll see why in just a few flips.

Crafting the Perfect Stack

Ingredients That Make It Special
Great Cinnamon Roll Pancakes start with a solid base. You’ll need classic pancake ingredients: flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, and a touch of sugar. But what elevates them is the cinnamon swirl made from melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. That swirl caramelizes slightly on the griddle, adding a deep, rich sweetness with every bite. I love using whole milk for extra tenderness and a dash of vanilla for warmth. If you’re feeling adventurous, add a spoonful of sour cream or yogurt to your batter for tang and lift.

The flavor profile here takes inspiration from beloved comfort bakes. My Fluffy Pancakes with Maple Syrup are all about balance, and I carry that same spirit into this recipe. The trick is getting the batter light enough to rise, but sturdy enough to hold the swirl. Think of these pancakes as your Sunday cinnamon roll’s casual cousin just as satisfying, but way quicker to pull off.

Cinnamon Swirl Technique Explained
To get that iconic swirl, you’ll pipe the cinnamon mixture onto the pancake after it hits the griddle. Let the first side cook halfway, then swirl in a slow spiral motion using a squeeze bottle or zip bag with the tip cut off. When you flip, that swirl cooks into the batter, creating caramelized ribbons throughout.

One tip: Don’t overfill the swirl, or it’ll seep out too fast and burn. A teaspoon or two is plenty per pancake. For gooey richness, try the trick I learned from making Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake: add softened butter into the swirl mix instead of just melted it holds shape better and doesn’t scorch as easily. With each flip, you’ll watch breakfast magic happen in real time.

The Topping That Seals the Deal

Cream Cheese Glaze or Maple Drizzle?
Let’s be honest what’s a cinnamon roll without its luscious glaze? The same logic applies to Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. You’ve got two main routes: the classic cream cheese glaze or a warm maple drizzle. The cream cheese version is rich and velvety, made from softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk. Whisk it until smooth and pourable, then drizzle generously over your warm pancake stack so it melts into every swirl.

Prefer something a little lighter? A simple maple glaze just butter, maple syrup, and a touch of powdered sugar keeps things sweet without overpowering the cinnamon. When I want something decadent but not too heavy, I sometimes blend both approaches: cream cheese and maple in one bowl. Think of it as brunch diplomacy. This glaze combo reminds me of the topping I use on my Sourdough Discard Apple Fritters sweet, sticky, and impossible to resist.

Elevating It With Add-ons
If you want to take these pancakes to the next level, the toppings are where the fun begins. Toasted pecans add crunch. A scoop of sautéed cinnamon apples brings warmth and tang. Fresh berries and whipped cream offer brightness and airiness. You can even go full-dessert and top them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a stunning brunch finale.

When I’m feeling cozy, I swirl in a bit of mashed banana into the batter similar to the base in my Oatmeal Banana Pancakes. This makes the stack denser, with a caramelized banana flavor that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon.

No matter how you finish them, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are a blank canvas for flavor and that final drizzle is your signature.

Tips, Tricks & Variations

Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips
Want to enjoy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes without the morning rush? You absolutely can prep ahead. The pancake batter holds up well in the fridge overnight just give it a quick whisk before cooking. The cinnamon swirl mix, thanks to its butter base, stays firm in the fridge too. Store it in a squeeze bottle so it’s ready to swirl in seconds.

If you’re batch-cooking, let the pancakes cool completely before layering them between parchment paper and freezing. To reheat, just pop them in a toaster oven or warm skillet. They’ll regain that caramelized swirl without turning soggy. This method has saved me many weekday mornings when I want something joyful but don’t have time to mix and flip from scratch.

When I freeze leftovers, I sometimes portion glaze into little containers, so I can drizzle and go. It’s a trick I picked up from prepping Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Churro Bites, which are also freezer-friendly and endlessly snackable.

Creative Variations to Try
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are naturally adaptable. If you love autumn flavors, stir a spoonful of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice into the batter for a fall-inspired twist. Swapping the cinnamon in the swirl for cardamom or chai spice adds warmth and depth.

Want something with more tang and less sweetness? A sourdough discard variation brings subtle complexity to the batter, making it a fantastic option for fermentation fans. I’ve tested versions similar to my Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Knots and found the discard adds a soft rise and slight bite that balances the sweetness beautifully.

Feeling bold? Roll cooked pancakes burrito-style with glaze and chopped nuts, then fry them lightly in butter for a churro-style experience. However you flip them, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes invite experimentation and they never disappoint.

FAQS

Is a cinnamon roll breakfast or dessert?

Traditionally, cinnamon rolls are served as a breakfast pastry especially in the U.S. and Northern Europe but their sweet richness makes them just as suitable for dessert. With Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, you’re embracing both worlds in one stack

What is IHOP Cinnastack pancakes?

IHOP’s Cinnastack pancakes are their take on Cinnamon Roll Pancakes: buttermilk pancakes layered with cinnamon roll filling and drizzled with cream cheese icing. Our homemade version offers fresher ingredients, richer flavor, and customizable toppings without the diner wait.

Can you use pancake mix for cinnamon rolls?

While pancake mix and cinnamon rolls share some ingredients, pancake mix lacks the yeast needed for the signature roll texture. However, you can use pancake mix to make quick cinnamon roll-inspired pancakes, like in this recipe.

How many calories are in cinnamon roll pancakes?

Calorie count varies depending on ingredients and toppings. A single Cinnamon Roll Pancake with glaze can range from 250–400 calories. For a full stack with icing and nuts, you’re looking at 600–800 calories. Always adjust portion size and ingredients to suit your needs.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes blend the joy of warm cinnamon rolls with the ease of a pancake breakfast. From their gooey swirl to their velvety glaze, they bring comfort to the table in every bite. Whether you stick to the classic or explore tangy sourdough or chai spice twists, this recipe invites you to play, enjoy, and savor the moment.

Back in my kitchen in West Lafayette, this dish started as a whim and turned into a weekend tradition. I hope it becomes one of yours too. more recipes follow me: facebook – Pinterest