If you grew up eating the classic Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, you probably remember that sweet, buttery icing that came on top. Before cream cheese icing became the go-to for cinnamon rolls, this was the kind of icing I remember loving as a kid.

This cinnamon roll icing is perfectly sweet, buttery, creamy, and incredibly easy to make. It has enough sweetness to complement a warm cinnamon roll without being so sweet that it overwhelms it.

And I have to tell you—this one has been tested on some pretty honest critics.

My coworkers rate this icing five stars, and my father-in-law, who was a professional baker himself, kept going back for more. That’s when I knew I had something worth sharing!

Pair this icing with my perfectly fluffy cinnamon rolls, and you may just have a recipe people start requesting every time you make them.

Ingredients

• ½ cup salted butter, softened (1 stick)
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature

If using unsalted butter: Add ½ teaspoon salt.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Icing

You can make this icing with a hand mixer, stand mixer, or even whisk it by hand. No fancy equipment is required!

1. Start with the powdered sugar

Add the powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl.

Pour in the vanilla extract and room-temperature heavy whipping cream. Give everything a quick mix until the ingredients are just starting to come together.

2. Add the butter

Cut the softened butter into small cubes and add it to the powdered sugar mixture.

Mix until the butter is completely incorporated and the icing becomes smooth and creamy.

If you’re using a mixer, you can beat it for another minute or two to make the icing extra fluffy. If you’re mixing by hand, just keep whisking until everything is smooth.

3. Chill until you’re ready

If you’re making the icing while your cinnamon roll dough is rising or while the rolls are baking, you can cover the bowl and pop it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

Let it sit for a few minutes if it becomes too firm to spread.

4. Ice the cinnamon rolls

This is my favorite part!

I plop the icing right onto my cinnamon rolls straight from the oven. I love watching it melt down into the warm cinnamon rolls instead of just sitting on top.

The warm rolls soften the icing just enough for it to seep into all those delicious cinnamon-sugar layers.

Why You’ll Love This Icing

• No cream cheese — just like the classic cinnamon roll icing I remember growing up with.
• Perfectly sweet — sweet enough to taste like a treat without being overwhelming.
• Buttery and creamy — heavy cream gives it a smooth, rich texture.
• Only four ingredients — you probably already have everything you need.
• Easy to make — use a mixer or whisk it by hand.
• Perfect on warm cinnamon rolls — it melts right into the rolls instead of simply sitting on top.

My Favorite Way to Serve It

For me, cinnamon rolls aren’t complete until they’re covered in icing. And I don’t wait for them to cool!

I love putting a big spoonful of this icing right on top of the cinnamon rolls as soon as they come out of the oven. Watching it slowly melt into the warm rolls is one of my favorite parts.

If you prefer your icing to stay a little thicker on top, let the cinnamon rolls cool for several minutes before icing them.

A Recipe Worth Sharing

I originally made this because I wanted that nostalgic cinnamon roll icing I remembered from childhood. Now it’s the icing my coworkers ask for, and even my father-in-law—a professional baker—keeps going back for another cinnamon roll.

Sometimes the simplest recipes really are the ones people remember.