Cinnamon Roll Latte Recipe
Share
A cinnamon roll latte tastes like the middle of a warm cinnamon bun, in a mug: brown sugar, cinnamon and butter-vanilla sweetness folded into espresso and steamed milk, then topped with a tangy cream cheese foam that plays the part of the icing. This cinnamon roll latte recipe makes one 12 oz drink in about ten minutes, with a homemade brown sugar cinnamon syrup that keeps for two weeks, an iced version, and a dairy-free swap.
The secret isn’t more cinnamon. It’s the frosting. A spoonful of cream cheese whipped into cold foam is what makes it taste like a cinnamon roll rather than a cinnamon latte.
In this article
- Brown sugar cinnamon syrup
- Cinnamon roll latte recipe
- Cream cheese “icing” foam
- Iced cinnamon roll latte
- Variations and swaps
- FAQ
Step 1: brown sugar cinnamon syrup
This is the “filling” of the cinnamon roll. Makes about 1 cup (240 ml), enough for 8–12 lattes.
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ½ cup | 120 ml |
| Light or dark brown sugar, packed | ¾ cup | 150 g |
| Cinnamon sticks | 2 | 2 |
| Ground cinnamon | ½ teaspoon | 1 g |
| Butter (optional, for a buttery “dough” note) | 1 tablespoon | 14 g |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | 5 ml |
| Salt | a pinch | a pinch |
- Simmer the water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon for 5 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Off the heat, stir in the butter, vanilla and salt. Let the sticks steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain through a fine sieve or paper filter (ground cinnamon can be gritty) into a clean jar.
- Refrigerate. It keeps about 2 weeks; if you added butter, shake before using.
Step 2: the cinnamon roll latte recipe
Makes one 12 oz (350 ml) latte.
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 2 shots (2 oz) | 60 ml |
| Brown sugar cinnamon syrup | 1½–2 tablespoons | 20–30 ml |
| Milk | ¾ cup | 180 ml |
| Cream cheese foam (below) | 3–4 tablespoons | 45–60 ml |
| Ground cinnamon, to dust | a pinch | a pinch |
- Add the syrup to your mug.
- Pull the espresso directly over the syrup and stir.
- Steam or froth the milk to about 140–150°F (60–65°C) and pour it in, holding back most of the foam.
- Spoon the cream cheese foam on top.
- Dust with cinnamon. For bakery drama, swirl a thin line of syrup over the foam.
Step 3: cream cheese “icing” foam
American-style cinnamon rolls are typically topped with a cream cheese icing, and this foam mimics it. Makes enough for 2 lattes.
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) cold heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cold milk
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar (or 1 teaspoon of the syrup)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Mash the soft cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add the cream and milk and froth with a handheld frother for 20–30 seconds until thick but pourable. If you see lumps, the cream cheese was too cold: warm it for 5 seconds in the microwave and try again.
Iced cinnamon roll latte
- Stir 1½–2 tablespoons syrup into hot espresso (it blends far better warm).
- Fill a 16 oz (475 ml) glass with ice and add ¾ cup (180 ml) cold milk.
- Pour the espresso over the milk.
- Top generously with cream cheese cold foam and a pinch of cinnamon.
For a stronger coffee taste over ice, swap the espresso for ½ cup (120 ml) cold brew concentrate. More iced ideas are in our iced latte recipe.
Variations and swaps
| Want… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Dairy-free | Oat milk for the latte; dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream for the foam |
| Less sugar | Use 2 teaspoons syrup and rely on a cinnamon-flavored coffee for the rest of the flavor |
| No espresso machine | Use ½ cup (120 ml) strong moka pot, AeroPress or French press coffee |
| Extra bakery flavor | Add a drop of almond extract or a pinch of nutmeg to the syrup |
| Caramel cinnamon roll | Swap half the syrup for caramel sauce |
| Decaf evening treat | Use decaf espresso; the flavor holds up fine |
Cinnamon roll latte vs cinnamon dolce latte
They’re cousins. A cinnamon dolce latte is cinnamon and brown sugar syrup with whipped cream; a cinnamon roll latte adds the vanilla-butter “dough” and the cream cheese “icing.” See our cinnamon dolce latte if you want the simpler version.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Gritty sediment at the bottom | Strain the syrup through a paper filter; don’t stir ground cinnamon into the drink |
| Foam is lumpy | Soften the cream cheese fully before frothing |
| Foam sinks straight away | Use more heavy cream and less milk so it holds its shape |
| Tastes like sweet milk, not coffee | Use a double shot or a darker roast, and cut the syrup to 1 tablespoon |
| Syrup crystallized in the fridge | Warm the jar in hot water and stir; add a teaspoon of water next time |
The coffee that does half the work
If you want cinnamon roll flavor without much syrup, start with the beans. Our Cinnabun coffee is a smooth medium roast flavored like an iced cinnamon roll, with sweet cinnamon, buttery pastry and vanilla icing notes, and no added sugar or calories. Brew it as espresso or strong coffee and you can cut the syrup in half. Cinnamon Hazelnut gives a nuttier, mellow version, and French Vanilla works as a base when you want to lean into the icing. Browse more in our flavored coffee collection.
A little cinnamon bun history
The cinnamon roll is a northern European classic. According to Wikipedia, the oldest recorded recipes for cinnamon rolls come from 16th-century Germany, and the modern Swedish kanelbulle took shape after the First World War. Since 1999, October 4 has been promoted in Sweden as Cinnamon Roll Day, or Kanelbullens dag. The big, pan-baked American roll with cream cheese icing is the version this latte imitates. For more ways to use the spice, see coffee with cinnamon.
Cinnamon roll latte FAQ
What’s in a cinnamon roll latte?
Espresso, steamed milk and a brown sugar cinnamon syrup, usually with vanilla, topped with a cream cheese or vanilla foam to mimic the icing.
Can I use ground cinnamon directly in my latte?
You can, but ground cinnamon doesn’t dissolve, so it clumps and settles. A syrup carries the flavor much better. Use ground cinnamon only to dust the top.
How much caffeine does a cinnamon roll latte have?
The same as the espresso you use, typically a double shot. The syrup and foam add none.
Can I make it without cream cheese?
Yes. Froth cold heavy cream or milk with vanilla and powdered sugar. You’ll lose the tang but keep the creamy topping.
How long does the syrup last?
About 2 weeks in a sealed jar in the fridge.
Sources
- Cinnamon roll, Wikipedia
Facts checked in October 2026.
Keep reading: Vanilla latte recipe · Pumpkin spice latte recipe · Flavored coffee