Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes are warm and cozy, making the perfect breakfast for a cold day. Sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon, these pancakes have all the flavor of cinnamon rolls without any of the mess.
If you are love pancakes, try these Snicker inspired pancakes and these healthy Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Pancakes.
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Why this Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes Recipe is a Keeper
These homemade cinnamon swirl pancakes are topped with cream cheese frosting, and are decorated with a swirl of cinnamon and sugar. With gooey cinnamon and are super simple to make. If you love cinnamon rolls, here are a few reasons why you’ll love pancakes with a cinnamon sugar filling:
- 20 Minute Meal: Have these cinnamon pancakes ready in just 20 minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for this cinnamon pancakes recipe can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Family Favorite: Everyone will love these cinnamon buns pancakes topped with a delicious cream cheese icing.
How Do I Make Fluffy Pancakes?
To make these cinnamon roll pancakes fluffier, make sure to whisk all of the lumps out of the dry ingredients. You’ll also want to make sure your pancake mix isn’t expired. If you’re making these absolutely delicious pancakes from scratch, check to see how fresh your baking powder and baking soda are.
Homemade Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe Ingredient Notes
- Pancake Mix: Use a storebought pancake mix, or make your own.
- Brown Sugar: Make the pancakes with brown sugar for a delicious warm, sweet flavor.
- Cinnamon: Use 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Add the cinnamon to the filling mixture.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Cinnamon Roll Pancake Recipe Prep Ahead Suggestions
- Pancake Batter: You can make cinnamon pancake batter ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Butter: Melt the butter ahead of time and lightly grease your griddle.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: Combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Mix until smooth. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Special Equipment Needed
- Griddle: Make the cinnamon swirl pancakes on the griddle. You can also heat a large pan.
Pro Tip to Make Cinnamon Pancakes
Overmixing can lead to tough pancakes. Mix just until the lumps are mostly gone.
How to Make Delicious Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Cinnamon swirl pancakes combine easy ingredients to make the perfect breakfast recipe. If you like your pancakes a little later in the day, you can make them ahead to have breakfast for dinner. Follow the steps below to learn how to make the best pancakes with cinnamon filling.
These are the basic steps for making easy cinnamon roll pancakes Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Make the Cinnamon Pancake Batter
Prepare pancake batter according to package directions. In a large microwave safe bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Set aside.
2. Make the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture Mixture
Microwave the cinnamon sugar mixture in 10 second increments until soft. Transfer the batter to a pastry bag with a medium tip, then pour the pancake batter onto a hot griddle or large skillet.
3. Cook the Pancakes
Pipe the cinnamon sugar mixture onto the batter in a swirl shape. When pancakes are lightly brown, flip with a spatula and cook on medium heat until done. Cook the pancakes until small bubbles form.
4. Make the Icing
Add powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk to a mixer; mix until smooth. If too thick, add more milk. Transfer to another pastry bag and squeeze onto the pancakes.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These pancakes can also be frozen.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
- Using Leftovers: The pancakes should stay good for 2-3 days after storing.
Variations and Substitutions for the Best Cinnamon Pancakes
- Waffles: Use a waffle iron to make waffles with this recipe.
- Squeeze Bottle: To make the batter with the best swirl of cinnamon, use a bottle to add a swirl and control the shape.
- Pumpkin Pancakes: Add canned pumpkin to the wet ingredients, then add a swirl of the cinnamon mixture.
- Buttermilk: Add buttermilk if you’re making these pancakes from scratch.
- Low Calorie Mix: To cut back on calories, use a low calorie pancake mix or wheat pancake mix.
Cinnamon Pancakes Recipe FAQs
Serve this recipe with these other recipes on my website: cinnamon roll ups, air fryer cinnamon rolls, or cinnamon toast crunch bars.
Use a nonstick spray on the griddle before adding the batter.
Try adding chocolate chips, blueberries, or vanilla extract.
Expert Tips for Making This Buttermilk Cinnamon Pancake Recipe
- Batter: Make sure not to overwork your batter; there should be a few lumps. Let it rest 5 minutes before cooking.
- Double: Double the recipe to make as many pancakes as you want. Store in freezer bags to save for later.
- Griddle: Preheat your griddle ahead of time. Wait until bubbles form on the top of the pancakes to flip.
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
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Ingredients
Pancakes
- 3 cups Pancake Batter
- 8 tablespoons Butter, softened
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Cinnamon
Cream Cheese Icing
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 4 tablespoons Milk
Instructions
- Prepare pancake batter according to direction.
- In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until smooth.
- Microwave on high for 10 second increments until it is soft and can be squeezed through a pastry bag.
- Transfer mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a medium tip. Or, you can use a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off.
- Pour pancake batter onto hot griddle.
- Pipe cinnamon mixture onto batter in a swirl shape.
- When pancakes are lightly browned, flip and cook until done.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of an electric mixer
- Mix until smooth.
- If icing is too thick add more milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Transfer the icing into another pastry bag or Ziploc bag.
- Squeeze it over the prepared pancakes.
Christina’s Notes
- Batter: Make sure not to overwork your batter; there should be a few lumps. Let it rest 5 minutes before cooking.
- Double: Double the recipe to make as many pancakes as you want. Store in freezer bags to save for later.
- Griddle: Preheat your griddle ahead of time. Wait until bubbles form on the top of the pancakes to flip.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I made this recipe as directed. I don’t say I am a great cook but this is a recipe I hope to use for shared breakfasts to impress family and friends.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m sure your family and friends will love it too!
This recipe was working the way bit was listed,until I flipped the pancakes. The cinnamon sugar melted right out of pancakes. I made the pancakes exactly as written.I even used a griddle. I still gave the recipe3 stars because the pancakes still tasted delicious. They looked like a mess,but they tasted great. If someone knows what I did wrong,please let me know.
You didn’t give the full recipe for the pancakes where’s the flour and baking soda you big dummy!!!!!
In the recipe it says use a box mix, your favorite recipe or there is a link to our recipe. Reading is an important skill.
Very delicious!!! Only thing was I added crushed pecans on top before the frosting! That was the added touch it needed!
That sounds delicious!
Tastes good, but looks absolutely nothing like the picture. The cinnamon mixture oozed out soon as I flipped the pancakes And went all over the pan, which I had a feeling would happen. Which I needed to wipe the pan in between each batch to prevent it from burning. I think this recipe could be modified to prevent the cinnamon mixture from melting out. Maybe once the cinnamon mixture is on, pour a light layer of pancake batter over it to seal it in. I’ve done this before when I made a blueberry swirl pancake and it worked well, I should have done that from the beginning.
I love these, Cinnamon Rolls without the yeast! Plus no getting up at 4 am to get your cinnamon fix. Thanks for sharing.
I love cinnamon so much! It’s brilliant to try it on pancakes as well! Thanks for this recipe!
Yum! This is the perfect combination of cinnamon scrolls and pancakes. Can’t go wrong!
Perfect for lunch on the boat!
Delicious! I like it! Thanks your sharing! I will make it follow introduction of you!