Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Rolls

Cinnamon sugar cream cheese rolls hit the spot whenever you crave something buttery gooey and sweet with almost no fuss Perfect for weekends or whenever you need a cozy treat these golden fluffy rolls layer a simple tangy cream cheese filling with a crackly cinnamon sugar crust Every bite has that warm homemade feeling and the filling stays ultra creamy

My kids swoon when these are cooling on the counter The first time I made them there was a line at the oven door

Ingredients

• Active dry yeast: helps the dough rise get fresh yeast for good lift in homemade dough
• Warm milk: activates the yeast and makes the dough rich use whole milk for best flavor
• Granulated sugar: sweetens and feeds the yeast pick fine white sugar for easy mixing
• All-purpose flour: forms the base of the dough opt for unbleached for best texture
• Salt: balances the flavors a small pinch is plenty
• Large egg: gives dough tenderness pick a fresh farm egg if possible
• Unsalted butter: adds richness and flavor use good quality and make sure it is soft
• Cream cheese: is the star filling smooth brick style is easiest to mix
• Vanilla: adds a bakery aroma use pure vanilla if you have it
• Ground cinnamon: makes that classic warm spiced sugar pick a fragrant variety

Instructions

Make the Filling:

Mix the cream cheese with sugar vanilla and cinnamon in a bowl Beat with a spoon or mixer until the mixture is ultra smooth and fluffy Let it sit out so it stays easy to spread

Prepare the Dough:

For homemade dough combine warm milk yeast and sugar in a bowl Let stand until foamy which should take about ten minutes Add flour salt egg and softened butter Stir together into a soft dough and knead it on a lightly floured surface for up to seven minutes until completely smooth Place in a clean bowl cover and let it rise for an hour until doubled in size If using crescent roll dough simply lay the dough flat and pinch together seams to make rectangles

Shape the Dough:

Roll the dough into a rectangle on your counter Cut into squares or rectangles that will each hold some filling Each square should be about palm sized

Fill and Shape Rolls:

Place a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture in the middle of every dough piece Wrap the dough around the filling and pinch or roll tightly so nothing leaks out You want a firm seal

Bake or Air Fry:

For the oven heat to three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit Arrange the rolls on parchment and bake until the tops turn golden usually around fifteen minutes If you use an air fryer set it to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and cook in a single layer until browned about seven minutes

Coat With Cinnamon Sugar:

Brush the warm rolls with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven or fryer Pour cinnamon sugar into a wide bowl and toss each roll gently to coat all sides

Cinnamon is my favorite part because the scent reminds me of weekend breakfasts growing up Baking these rolls with my kids is now our snow day tradition and everyone fights to coat the warm rolls in cinnamon sugar

Storage Tips

Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days You can keep them in the fridge for up to a week but warm them slightly before serving for best texture If you want longer storage freeze the baked rolls on a tray then move them to a freezer bag When ready let thaw at room temp and rewarm in the oven for that fresh baked feel

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have active dry yeast you can use instant yeast with no need to bloom in milk Swap all-purpose flour for a bread flour for chewier rolls Use brown sugar in the filling for a deeper caramel hint If you want to skip cream cheese try sweetened ricotta or mascarpone Filling can be flavored with orange zest or even swirled with fruit preserves if you like

Serving Suggestions

Serve these rolls warm with hot coffee or chai For parties drizzle with simple icing of milk and powdered sugar They make a lovely brunch addition alongside fruit or even as a sweet after school snack Layer with sliced strawberries for a spring dessert or eat them as is for classic comfort

Cultural and Seasonal Context

Inspired by both American cinnamon rolls and classic cream cheese danish these rolls blend the best of both Baking with cinnamon sugar is a beloved tradition across many cultures for celebrations and breakfast recipes These rolls shine any season but feel especially festive during fall and winter when the scent of spice feels homey

Seasonal Adaptations

For summer skip the warm spices and fill rolls with lemon zest and sweetened cream cheese In spring try adding berries or a touch of cardamom to the sugar mix During holidays add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for extra crunch

Success Stories

Several readers told me these rolls became their family’s snow day treat One baker made over seventy to share at a bake sale and they were gone in minutes At home I usually double the batch so there are extras because they disappear astonishingly fast

Freezer Meal Conversion

To freeze shape the rolls and arrange on a tray before the final rise Cover and freeze once solid move to bags When you want fresh rolls let them thaw and rise to room temp on your baking tray before finishing as directed Alternatively freeze fully baked rolls Let thaw and warm in a low oven for five minutes before serving

This recipe is forgiving and works for bakers of any level If you are low on time get the shortcut dough For special occasions go all in with homemade dough The smell as these bake brings everyone to the kitchen and memories are made before you even sit down to eat

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?

Pinch dough edges tightly around the filling before rolling, ensuring the cream cheese stays sealed during baking.

→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the dough a day in advance, refrigerate after the first rise, and bring it to room temperature before shaping.

→ What’s the best way to coat the rolls in cinnamon sugar?

Brush freshly baked rolls with melted butter, then toss in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for an even coating.

→ Is it possible to freeze these rolls?

Fully baked rolls freeze well. Let them cool, wrap tightly, and reheat when ready to enjoy.

→ What filling variations can I try?

Mix in citrus zest, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips with the cream cheese for a different flavor twist.