Key Takeaways

Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee combines our beloved, bold, single origin medium roast coffee with the flavors of a frosted cinnamon roll - warm, subtle, naturally sweet cinnamon and smooth, rich, buttery frosting - a union that brings back nostalgic memories of mornings enriched by slow sips and indulgent bites. Here you’ll find a decadently chilly collection of iced and frappe style recipes featuring this delicious brew, perfect for enjoying refreshing treats all summer long. 

• When Words Collide - frosted cinnamon bun (or roll) iced coffee recipe
  
• Summer’s Sweet Treat - frosted cinnamon roll coffee milkshake recipe
  
• Cinnamon Roll Upside Down Coffee - chilly cream cheese frosting whipped cream topped with cold brew coffee
  
• Cinnamon Roll Frappe - cinnamon roll coffee frappe recipe 
  
• Cinnamon Roll Coffee Creamer - cinnamon roll coffee creamer recipe with a bonus iced coffee recipe 

Can you recall the first time you enjoyed a piping hot cup of coffee alongside a rich, decadent frosted cinnamon roll? 

Or, dial it back a little further, can you recall those years as a child when the adults in your family enjoyed bold, robust brews paired with this delicious treat?

I remember, as a child, smelling the rich, powerful aromas of java filling our house, mingling with the sweet, yeast-infused scent of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. 

The aroma of coffee intrigued me, this cup being off limits to my brothers and I in our youth. 

So, we settled for a tall glass of milk with our Saturday morning cinnamon roll specialty, eagerly awaiting the day when we’d be “old enough” to savor the same sips enjoyed by my parents and grandparents. 

Oddly enough, and perhaps this is due to my generational placement in life, I don’t remember the first time I tried a hot cup of coffee with a warm, gooey, frosted cinnamon roll. 

I do, however, remember my first sip of iced coffee paired with this classically indulgent bite…

Purdue University. 

I hadn’t had a fresh, homemade cinnamon roll in years. 

But, one Saturday, living only a few feet away from Ross Ade Stadium in the famous Drew Brees years with the Boilermakers living in the limelight, my roommate and I were ready for game day, in the kitchen making a big breakfast. 

On this day, it just so happened that our neighbors, who commonly dictated our weekend breakfast menus, requested cinnamon rolls. 

So, we got to work making a giant mess and filled our tiny campus apartment with the sinfully sweet aroma of this timeless confection, all while the guys across the hall went on a coffee run. 

Dressed in our black and gold, iced coffee in one hand and our oddly shaped, sweetly dripping, frosting covered attempt at a cinnamon roll in the other, we sipped and devoured this amazing combination as we made our way to the back side of good old Ross Ade Drive, into the stadium.

Frosted Cinnamon Roll

From the wisdom and passion of South American coffee farmers, hand selecting only the best coffee cherries, to the knowledge and tradition executed in a labor of love right in grandma’s kitchen, premium Arabica coffee excels to new heights here as it’s infused with the flavors of homemade frosted cinnamon rolls.

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Isn’t that the best thing about good coffee and classic confections? 

Each time you sip or indulge, it takes you back to another time, a memory new or old, complete with a smile that often emerges as your mind recalls the people and experiences you’ve been blessed with in this life. 

So today, as you peruse this collection of Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee recipes, I’d like to ask you to do a favor for all of us here at Lifeboost…

Could you share your fondest coffee and frosted cinnamon roll memory with us? 

Simply reply or comment with either your first coffee and cinnamon roll combo experience or your thoughts on any of the recipes you try below - if you feel the desire to do so, of course - no pressure. :) 

Alright then, let’s get started…

When Summer Meets Cinnamon Rolls - 5 Fabulous Iced And Frappe Style Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee Recipes

Frosted cinnamon rolls and coffee sure seem to be the perfect pair, but why? 

And, which coffee roast pairs best with cinnamon rolls, or why do some roasts pair better than others in the first place? 

These are questions I lightly pondered as I gathered the best chilly, pastry-themed, java recipe info I could find. 

So, I did a bit of inquisitive searching, and here’s what I found…

• The rich, buttery sweetness of cinnamon rolls, especially those dripping with indulgent frosting can actually be overwhelming if paired with a coffee roast that’s too strong. Likewise, a light roast could taste flat compared to the richness of this breakfast treat (1). 

Ah, so that’s why a medium roast pairing is juuuust right! Yum! 

• We all know coffee indeed has an inherent bitterness, even in low acid brews like Lifeboost. And, it’s this classic touch of light acidity that serves to cut through the richness of sugary frostings and sweet cinnamon and brown sugar fillings specific to cinnamon rolls (2). 

In other words, in the case of frosted cinnamon rolls and coffee, opposites attract…in the most delicious way. 

So then, let’s see this flavor combination in action as we craft some delicious frosted cinnamon roll coffee treats, each of which are aimed to create a similar harmony when paired with summer heat - ah yes, bright, warm summer sun, and a cool, icy coffee treat - it doesn’t get much better than that!

1- When Words Collide

That’s right, not worlds, but words. 

What collision am I referring to? 

It’s the classic debate - cinnamon buns or cinnamon rolls? 

And, I’m not talking about sticky buns, but cinnamon buns. 

Though, as far as the internet is concerned, this truly seems to be nothing more than a reddit or social media debate, with pastry chefs and bakers sticking to pure distinctions where these monikers solely differentiate between nutty and caramelized topping versus gooey, creaming frostings, each of which cover a swirled, yeast-infused, bread-like pastry dough. 

What do you think, are these titles generational differences, regional nicknames, or simply a battle of “my mom calls them cinnamon rolls,” well, “my mom calls them cinnamon buns!” 

How do you differentiate? 

For me, cinnamon buns were always a curious offering, a seemingly foreign (to me) treat which surely differed wildly from cinnamon rolls, that is until I became an adult and met countless others who used these terms interchangeably. 

And, this interchangeable exchange is responsible for the title above, a recipe (3) for cinnamon bun iced coffee that seems more like a cinnamon roll iced coffee recipe to me. ;)

Ingredients

• 6 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee
  
• ¼ cup milk (your choice)
  
• 1 tablespoon real maple syrup 
  
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• Ice 

Instructions 

• Add ice to a tall glass, then top with cold brew, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla. 
  
• Stir vigorously to combine and enjoy! 

*Want to spruce this one up a bit? Same ingredients, just a little fancier…

• Add ice to a tall glass, then top with cold brew. 
  
• Add milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla to a glass, then froth with a handheld frother until fully incorporated and only slightly frothy. 
  
• Top cold brew with milk mixture and enjoy as is or give it a light stir to incorporate.
  

2- Summer’s Sweet Treat

I know, we promised iced coffees and frappes, both of which typically aren’t as rich and “dessert-like” as a milkshake. 

But, you only live once, right? 

So, the moment I came across this treat (4), I had to give it a try. And, once I tried it, I couldn’t deny you the sippable pleasure that is this frosted cinnamon roll coffee milkshake.

Enjoy! And, don’t forget to share! 

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 12 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee
  
• 4 cups vanilla ice cream
  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
  
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  
• Vanilla frosting, optional for garnish on glass rim
  
• Whipped cream, optional for topping

Instructions 

• If using vanilla frosting for garnish on glass rims, spread a layer of frosting on a plate, then dip the rim of each glass into the frosting to create an edible milkshake garnish. 
  
• Add cold brew, ice cream, cinnamon, and brown sugar to a blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. 
  
• Divide the milkshake mixture between the two prepared glasses, then top with whipped cream, if desired, and enjoy!
  

3- Cinnamon Roll Upside Down Coffee

Admittedly, this one sounds a little strange. 

I mean, aren’t upside down treats reserved for pineapples and cakes? 

Turns out, no!

This tasty treat was inspired by a simpler concoction (5), one which we decided to dive into with the purpose of adding a few more homemade touches, resulting in a homemade cinnamon, brown sugar, and cream cheese infused whipped cream paired with incredibly delicious Lifeboost Coffee!

And, I must say, this one just might be my favorite recipe in this collection! 

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee
  
• ½ cup heavy cream
  
• 1-ounce softened cream cheese (needs to be really soft to ensure a smooth outcome without lumps)
  
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 
  
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon 
  
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

• Add heavy cream, brown sugar, powdered sugar, cinnamon, softened cream cheese, and vanilla to a chilled mixing bowl, then beat until medium stiff peaks form. (I found that soft peaks weren’t quite as stiff as I liked, so I beat the mixture just a bit longer for a touch more firmness in the whipped cream.) 
  
• Add a few decent sized dollops of the cream cheese frosting whipped cream to a tall glass, then place in the freezer for roughly 15 minutes. 
  
• Remove the glass with the cream cheese frosting whipped cream from the freezer, top with cold brewed Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee, and enjoy! 

*You can enjoy this one as is, allowing the whipped cream mixture to slowly incorporate into your coffee, or give it a few stirs prior to sipping to get things mingled sooner.

4- Cinnamon Roll Frappe

Simple, average name - not so average taste. 

This one combines the flavors of a cinnamon roll into an icy, java-infused frappe. 

Perfect for cooling off on a summer’s day. 

Perfect for sipping when you want a special treat. 

Perfect for…well, it’s simply perfect…incorporating a homemade cinnamon syrup (6), creamy milk, Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee, and of course a mound of whipped cream topping! 

Ingredients

• 6 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee
  
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon syrup, see recipe below
  
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• ⅓ cup whole milk 
  
• ½ cup ice 

Instructions 

• Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. You can add more ice and give it another pulse or two on your blender if you’d like it to be a bit frostier. Enjoy! 

Homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Coffee Syrup

• 1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed (I used light brown sugar)
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

Combine brown sugar, water, and cinnamon in a small pot over medium-high heat. 

Whisk ingredients together, then cool until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. 

If the mixture begins to boil, turn down the heat. 

Allow the mixture to simmer below a boil for approximately 5 minutes, then remove from heat and cool. 

Once cooled, transfer to a glass jar, seal, and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

5- Cinnamon Roll Coffee Creamer

The ultimate Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee addition, something you can use in any of your iced, frappe, and other coffee creations anytime you’d like. 

That’s right, here you’ll be making your very own cinnamon roll creamer to have on hand, so whether you’re slowly making a decadent sip or need something quick in a pinch, this creamer (7) has you covered!

Of course, we’ll provide a creamy, rich coffee treat recipe you can enjoy as well, but first things first…

Ingredients 

• 1 cup milk 
  
• 1 cup heavy cream
  
• 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 
  
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  
• 4 tablespoons packed, light brown sugar

Instructions 

• In a medium saucepan, combine milk and cream, then whisk in the brown sugar and heat over low-medium heat, just until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warmed throughout (do not boil). 
  
• Remove from heat and add cinnamon and vanilla, whisking until combined. 
  
• Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a glass jar and seal, storing in the refrigerator until ready for use (keeps up to two weeks, refrigerated).

Have Creamer…Will Coffee

To use this tasty creamer in your Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee, simply add ice to a tall glass, then top with a desired amount of cold brewed coffee, topping with 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon roll coffee creamer. 

And, for an extra rich, added trick, top this with a dollop or two of the cream cheese cinnamon roll whipped cream you made in recipe #3 followed by an extra dusting of cinnamon. Enjoy!

FAQ

1- Do I have to use cold brew in these recipes? 

No, you can easily swap out brewed and chilled coffee for the cold brew in each recipe. 

However, cold brew does tend to be more concentrated or strong, and this strength works perfectly in iced and frozen treats as these can water down as you sip. 

If you still prefer brewed and chilled, one way to combat any watered-down flavors is to use coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice cubes in any iced coffee or frozen coffee treat. 

To make coffee ice cubes:

Simply brew Lifeboost Frosted Cinnamon Roll Coffee using your preferred brewing method, then fill an ice cube tray with the prepared coffee. 

Place the ice cube in the freezer and freeze for 6 hours or overnight. 

Use the coffee ice cubes in place of regular ice cubes for a more potent coffee flavor in any iced or frozen/blended coffee treat.

Disclaimer: Coffee contains caffeine and you should consult with a health care professional with any concerns you might have on the effects of coffee on your health and well being. Additionally, the way coffee is grown, low acid coffee, decaf coffee, as well as different roast types (light, medium, dark, etc.) can alter caffeine levels. If you have questions about the caffeine levels or pH levels of our coffee, please reach out to our support team for clarification. If you have any concerns with how our coffee, or any product will affect you or your health, consult with a health professional directly.

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.