Cinnamon Roll Buttermilk Biscuits with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

I’m so excited to share my favorite Cinnamon Roll Buttermilk Biscuits with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe with you! These biscuits perfectly marry the flaky, buttery texture of classic Southern biscuits with the irresistible swirls of cinnamon sugar you love in a cinnamon roll, all finished with a luscious, creamy icing. Every bite is like a warm hug with just the right balance of sweet, spice, and tangy cream cheese that keeps me coming back for more. If you love comforting breakfast treats or a sweet snack that feels special, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.

Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Buttermilk Biscuits with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

What truly makes this Cinnamon Roll Buttermilk Biscuits with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe stand out is the wonderful fusion of flavors and textures. I love how the buttery, flaky biscuits provide the perfect canvas for the cinnamon sugar swirls that bring that nostalgic cinnamon roll flavor without the fuss of yeast dough. Then there’s the cream cheese icing—smooth, tangy, and sweet—that adds a decadent finish to every bite. It’s comforting yet elegant, and that combination feels like a warm, homemade treat every single time.

The ease of preparation is another huge reason I adore this recipe. You don’t need to plan hours ahead for rising dough or complicated folding techniques. The recipe comes together quickly using simple ingredients likely already in your pantry and fridge. I’ve found it’s perfect for weekend breakfasts, a cozy brunch with friends, or even holiday gatherings when you want to impress without stress. Each time I make these biscuits, guests ask for the recipe, and I happily share—because honestly, they’re that good and worth making over and over.

Ingredients You'll Need

This recipe shines because it uses simple yet essential ingredients that contribute beautifully to the biscuit’s tender crumb, buttery richness, and golden color. Each item plays its role whether it’s adding moisture, lift, or that irresistible cinnamon-sugar sweetness.

• Unsalted butter: Chilled butter ensures flakiness by creating pockets of steam during baking.
• Cinnamon: Provides that warm, signature spice flavor essential to cinnamon rolls.
• Sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Flour: Gives structure to the biscuits; use all-purpose for the best results.
• Baking powder: Gives the biscuits lift, making them tender and airy.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Baking soda: Works with buttermilk to activate rising for extra fluffiness.
• Vegetable shortening: Helps keep the biscuits tender and buttery with a soft crumb.
• Buttermilk: Adds tangy moisture that tenderizes and flavors the dough.
• Cream cheese: The base of the icing, lending richness and a lovely tang.
• Vanilla bean paste: Brings depth and sweetness to the cream cheese icing.
• Milk: Adjusts icing consistency for the perfect drizzle or spread.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and sweetly smoothes the cream cheese icing texture.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Next, cut the unsalted butter into small cubes and pop them into the freezer until you’re ready to use them—this keeps the butter firm for flakier biscuits.

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. This cinnamon sugar mix will add those classic swirls of sweetness throughout the biscuits. Set it aside for later.

Step 3: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until fully combined. Add the cold butter cubes and the vegetable shortening, pulsing 7 to 8 times until the mixture looks like coarse meal with a few pea-sized chunks. This texture is essential for light, flaky biscuits.

Step 4: Transfer the flour and butter mixture into a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Using a spatula or your hands, gently mix just until the dough comes together—be careful not to overwork it, or your biscuits may become tough.

Step 5: Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out. Quickly pat it into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Sprinkle 1 ½ teaspoons of your cinnamon sugar over the dough, then fold it in half. Pat it into a 1-inch rectangle again, sprinkle more cinnamon sugar, and fold it once more. This folding technique creates beautiful layers with that cinnamon sweetness inside.

Step 6: Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut the dough into rounds. Gather the scraps and reshape to cut a few extra biscuits—you’ll just want to bake those a little shorter as they won’t rise as tall. Place the biscuits on your prepared baking sheet and sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on top for a gorgeous, sparkling finish.

Step 7: Bake your biscuits for 10 to 12 minutes or until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Once out of the oven, let them cool just enough so they’re warm but won’t melt your cream cheese icing.

Step 8: While the biscuits bake, whisk together the softened cream cheese, vanilla bean paste, and milk until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue whisking until you have a thick but spreadable icing.

Step 9: When biscuits have cooled slightly, either spoon or pipe the cream cheese icing generously on top. For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit more cinnamon sugar over the icing. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best experience.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 10 to 12 biscuits depending on how you cut them, perfect for sharing with family or a small group of friends. The prep time usually takes around 15 minutes, with baking taking 10 to 12 minutes. Factor in about 5 minutes for cooling before icing, making your total time about 30 to 35 minutes from start to finish. No long rises or wait times mean you can have these delightful cinnamon roll biscuits ready in almost no time.

How to Serve This Cinnamon Roll Buttermilk Biscuits with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

I love serving these biscuits warm with their fresh cream cheese icing, pairing beautifully with a cozy cup of coffee or a rich chai latte for breakfast or brunch. They’re also fantastic when plated alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful weekend treat. Presentation-wise, piping the cream cheese icing adds a lovely professional touch, but even spooning it on generously feels just as indulgent and homemade.

For a special gathering or holiday brunch, I sometimes layer these biscuits on a pretty cake stand, garnished with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar and a few fresh berries for color and brightness. They’re such a crowd-pleaser and feel festive without being complicated. Given their richness, I tend to serve smaller portions—one biscuit per person is usually just right unless you’re indulging!

Beyond breakfast, these biscuits can be a stellar snack or even dessert alongside a glass of cold milk or a mild iced tea. If you’re feeling adventurous, they pair wonderfully with a mild sparkling wine or a cinnamon-spiced cocktail for a grown-up twist that enhances the dessert-like qualities. Either way, I always recommend serving them slightly warm to enjoy the flaky texture and melty icing at its best.

Variations

I love experimenting with this recipe to suit different tastes and diets. For instance, swapping out vegetable shortening for extra cold butter creates a slightly richer and flakier biscuit that’s simply divine. If you want a dairy-free variation, I recommend using coconut oil or vegan butter alternatives and substituting plant-based milk with a tangy element like lemon juice to mimic buttermilk’s acidity.

Flavor-wise, you can easily customize these biscuits by adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the dough for a satisfying crunch and extra depth. For a sweeter spin, folding in raisins or dried cranberries before cutting the biscuits gives a fun surprise inside each bite. Vegan cream cheese icing options are also fantastic—plant-based cream cheese blended with powdered sugar makes a luscious dairy-free glaze just as satisfying.

If you want to switch up the cooking method, some friends have told me they adore these biscuits cooked in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over low heat, though the texture becomes a bit more rustic than oven-baked. I’ve also heard they freeze well before baking, so you can shape and cut your biscuits ahead of time, freeze them, and bake fresh whenever you want—perfect for busy mornings or last-minute guests.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover biscuits, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I recommend placing a paper towel inside the container to absorb any moisture and keep the biscuits from becoming soggy. You can also refrigerate them, but be aware that they may dry out a bit faster in the fridge, so only do this if you plan to reheat them soon.

Freezing

These Cinnamon Roll Buttermilk Biscuits with Cream Cheese Icing freeze beautifully. You can freeze them baked or unbaked. For baked biscuits, let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag; they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. If freezing unbaked dough rounds, arrange them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealed bag. When ready, bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the biscuits in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 8-10 minutes, uncovered, to restore their flaky texture and melt the icing slightly—avoid microwaving as it can make the biscuits chewy or soggy. If the icing was added before freezing, warming will help it soften deliciously again. Adding a small dab of fresh cream cheese icing after reheating freshens them up nicely, too.

FAQs

Can I make these biscuits ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, cut the biscuits, and freeze them before baking. When you’re ready, just bake them straight from the freezer, adding a couple of extra minutes. The cream cheese icing is best made fresh but can be refrigerated for a day or two if needed.

What if I don’t have buttermilk on hand?

No worries! I often make my own buttermilk substitute by adding one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to ¾ cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and you have a perfect tangy buttermilk replacement for this recipe.

Can I use this recipe without the cream cheese icing?

You can, though the icing adds so much to the final flavor. Without it, the biscuits will still be tender and flavorful with cinnamon sugar swirls, but I highly recommend trying the icing at least once to experience that classic cinnamon roll finish.

Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that works for baking, making sure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for structure. The texture won’t be identical, but the flavor and cinnamon sugar layers will still shine through beautifully.

How do I get the cinnamon sugar swirls inside the biscuits?

The folding technique with sprinkling cinnamon sugar between layers is key. Patting the dough into a rectangle, sprinkling the cinnamon sugar, folding, and repeating creates those delicious swirls and layers without complicated rolling or yeast dough.

Conclusion

I truly hope you fall in love with this Cinnamon Roll Buttermilk Biscuits with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe as much as I have. It’s been such a joy to bake and share these sweet, flaky biscuits with friends and family. Whether you’re looking for a quick but special breakfast, a weekend treat, or a dish to impress guests, these biscuits deliver warmth, flavor, and simplicity all in one. So go ahead—grab your rolling pin and get ready to fill your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon and butter. You won’t regret it!

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