Fresh Milled Flour Soft & Fluffy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

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Warm, soft, and bursting with holiday flavors, these Fresh Milled Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are a festive twist on a classic favorite. Made with freshly milled whole grains, they’re perfectly spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, offering a wholesome, nutrient-rich treat that’s as comforting as it is delicious. Topped with a creamy glaze, these rolls are ideal for cozy mornings, holiday brunches, or an indulgent dessert. Each bite is a celebration of fresh, homemade goodness and the rich, nostalgic taste of gingerbread.

Soft & Fluffy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to indulge in delicious treats that warm your heart and fill your home with irresistible smells. And what’s better than gingerbread? Soft, cinnamon-sweet gingerbread wrapped in a warm, fluffy cinnamon roll, loaded with spices and topped with creamy frosting. It’s everything you love about the season, but better. These Fresh Milled Flour Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls offer a healthier twist on a holiday favorite, combining whole grain flour with the rich seasonal flavors of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger. Whether it’s Christmas morning, a cozy afternoon snack, or a special occasion, this is a great addition to your holiday recipes. The only thing better than the smell of these cinnamon rolls baking in the oven is the moment you take your first bite—bursting with warm spices and that perfect soft, chewy texture.

Looking for another warm and comforting recipe? Try these pumpkin spice scones or these chewy molasses cookies!

Why Fresh Milled Flour Makes These Cinnamon Rolls So Special

Having used freshly milled flour in my recipes for years, I firmly believe that using fresh milled flour takes a recipe from good to great. If you’ve never baked with it before, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, let me tell you—freshly milled flour is a game-changer. Unlike store-bought all-purpose flour, which has been stripped of its nutritional value, freshly milled flour retains all the fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the wheat germ and bran. The result? A much more wholesome option that adds nutrition, flavor, and texture to your baked goods.

In these gingerbread cinnamon rolls, I use freshly milled soft white wheat to create a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the spices and molasses. Plus, it makes the rolls extra moist and tender, which is exactly what you want when you’re aiming for that soft, chewy texture. When you use freshly milled flour, you get more of everything you love—more flavor, more moisture, and more nutrition.

Why These Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Are a Must-Bake

These rolls are infused with all the cozy gingerbread spices that make the holiday season so special. From the first bite, you’ll taste the rich molasses, the warm kick of cinnamon and ginger, and that chewy texture that just melts in your mouth. They’re the perfect addition to your holiday breakfast or as a special treat for your cookie exchange.

But what makes these cinnamon rolls even better is how easy they are to make—especially with a few simple shortcuts that still give you the best results. For example, I use my basic bread dough recipe as a base. Once your dough is ready, it’s all about rolling it out, adding the filling, and shaping it into rolls. The dough is soft, elastic, and perfect for cinnamon rolls that rise beautifully and bake up golden brown.

The Filling: A Sweet and Spicy Surprise

Let’s talk about the filling for a second because this is where the magic happens in this gingerbread recipe. The combination of brown sugar (some prefer using sucanat or coconut sugar) with ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and molasses creates the most heavenly mix of sweet and spicy flavors. It’s the kind of filling that makes your kitchen smell like Christmas while it’s baking. Molasses is a traditional gingerbread ingredient, and it adds a rich, slightly bitter note that balances out the sweetness of the sugar. Plus, it’s full of nutrients like iron and calcium.

When I make this filling, I like to take the time to spread the butter on the dough first. The melted butter acts as a binding agent for the sugar and spices, helping everything stay in place as you roll up the dough. This little extra step ensures the filling is distributed evenly throughout each cinnamon roll, so every bite is packed with that signature gingerbread flavor.

Fresh Milled Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

For The Dough

• 1 batch of the basic bread recipe, LINK RECIPE

The Filling

• 1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar, sucanat, maple sugar or coconut sugar
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 2 tbsp. molasses
• 5 tbsp. melted butter

Frosting

• 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp. softened butter
• 1 tbsp. molasses
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Prepare The Dough

In a large bowl, prepare the basic dough recipe up until the first rise. While the dough is going for it’s first rise, prepare the filling.

Prepare The Filling:

• Make sure you have the butter setting out and getting soft and spreadable. 
• In a small bowl combine, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and molasses, mix until well combined. 

Shaping The Cinnamon Rolls

• Roll the dough out into a 10×15 inch rectangle .
• Spread the butter onto the dough. Sprinkle all of the filling mixture over the dough and press down to hold it in place.
• Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish or 2 round cake pans or 2 10 inch cast iron skillets(I line these with parchment paper if using them) by greasing them with butter or olive oil.
• Cut the the dough using a pizza cutter. This recipes makes 12 cinnamon rolls. I like to start by cutting the dough rectangle in half, then each half in half and so on, to get 12 equal strips of dough.
• Roll up each dough strip and carefully place them in the baking dish or pans. They should be touching each other, but some gaps are fine, they will rise and spread.
• Any filling that gets lost, just toss on top of the cinnamon rolls once they are in the pans.
• Allow to rise until doubled in size.
• Bake at 350* F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Prepare The Frosting

Combine all frosting ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix on medium/low speed until the frosting is thick and spreadable. 

Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly before adding the frosting. Frost the tops and enjoy warm!

The Benefits of Baking with Fresh Milled Flour

I’m a huge fan of using whole grains in my baking because they’re packed with nutrients that are great for your body and provide sustained energy. Freshly milled whole wheat flour is an excellent source of fiber, magnesium, and B vitamins, which all contribute to a healthy digestive system, better heart health, and improved energy levels. Plus, since it’s made from the whole grain, freshly milled flour has a naturally richer, deeper flavor.

Another huge benefit is the way it makes your baked goods feel more satisfying. The fiber in the flour helps you feel fuller longer, so these rolls are not only a treat but a more filling option than store-bought cinnamon rolls made with refined flour. And if you’re looking for a way to avoid the blood sugar spikes and crashes that can come with traditional sugar-heavy desserts, switching to whole grain options like freshly milled flour can help you maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Don’t Forget the Frosting

You can’t have gingerbread cinnamon rolls without a little frosting on top, right? This frosting is made with cream cheese, butter, molasses, vanilla extract, and a touch of ginger and cinnamon. It’s rich, smooth, and perfectly complements the warmth of the cinnamon rolls underneath. I like to keep the frosting on the lighter side—not too sugary, but just enough to bring everything together in the best way possible.

The frosting also helps keep the rolls moist, and since it’s made with cream cheese, it adds a little tang that cuts through the sweetness and adds balance. If you’re serving these at a holiday gathering, the frosting is also a nice way to add a bit of decadence to an already indulgent treat.

Tips for Making the Best Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

If this is your first time making cinnamon rolls, don’t worry! Here are a few things to keep in mind for the best results.

1. Use the Right Pan for Baking

I recommend using a 9×13 casserole dish or two round cake pans for this cinnamon rolls recipe. They should be slightly touching but not overcrowded, as they’ll continue to rise and spread during baking. If you’re feeling extra festive, you could even bake them in cast iron skillets, which gives them a rustic, cozy look. Just make sure to grease the pans well or line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. Let the Dough Rise in a Warm Place

The dough for these rolls needs time to rise, so be sure to place it in a warm place. If your kitchen is on the cooler side, you can turn your oven on for a few minutes, then turn it off and place the dough in there to rise. This ensures it gets the warmth it needs to double in size.

3. Don’t Over mix the Dough

When mixing the dough, be careful not to over mix it. Overworking the dough can result in tough, dense rolls, which is the last thing you want for soft, chewy cinnamon rolls. Mix until everything is just combined.

4. Check for Doneness Early

Since ovens can vary, it’s a good idea to start checking the cinnamon rolls a few minutes before the suggested baking time. The tops should be golden brown and slightly firm to the touch, and when you insert a toothpick, it should come out clean.

5. Use Freshly Milled Flour for the Best Texture

The freshly milled flour is key to the soft texture of these cinnamon rolls. It retains all the natural oils and nutrients from the wheat germ, making the dough more pliable and easier to work with. Plus, it gives the cinnamon rolls a slightly nutty flavor that really enhances the overall taste. I highly recommend using freshly milled flour for the best results.

How to Store Your Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls are perfect for making ahead of time, and they store well for later use. Once they’ve cooled to room temperature, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you’re planning on keeping them longer, wrapping them in plastic wrap and refrigerating them will help keep them fresh for up to a week.

If you need to freeze them for later, just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. You can also pop them in the microwave for a quick warm-up.

Your Guide to Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls: Answers to Common Questions

Can I Use Regular All-Purpose Flour Instead of Freshly Milled Flour?

Yes, you can use grocery store all-purpose flour if you don’t have freshly milled flour on hand, but I highly recommend making the switch for the extra flavor and nutrition that freshly milled flour provides. If you do use all-purpose flour, just keep in mind that you may need to adjust the liquid in the recipe, reducing slightly as freshly milled flour absorbs more moisture than refined flours.

Can I Make These Rolls Ahead of Time?

Yes! These cinnamon rolls actually get better if you let them chill in the fridge overnight, which is so convenient for those busy mornings. Simply prepare the dough, shape the rolls, and cover them with plastic wrap. Let them rise in the fridge overnight, then bake them fresh the next morning for warm, gooey cinnamon rolls just like you made them that day.

What Can I Substitute for Molasses?

If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute it with maple syrup or honey, but keep in mind that molasses, especially blackstrap molasses, adds a unique depth of flavor to gingerbread. For the best results, I recommend sticking with molasses, but these substitutions will still yield delicious results.

Your New Go-To Holiday Recipe

Making these Fresh Milled Flour Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a holiday treat that’s both delicious and just a little bit healthier. There’s something so satisfying about mixing the dough, rolling it out, and watching those rolls rise—it’s a quiet, simple moment that really makes the holiday season feel special.

If you’re anything like me, you know the importance of finding balance when it comes to treats. These gingerbread cinnamon rolls strike the perfect mix of wholesome ingredients and indulgent flavor. The next time you’re craving a cozy holiday snack, I hope you give them a try—you might just make them a new tradition in your home!