Cream Cheese Cinnamon Sugar Rolls are the ultimate comfort pastry—golden and slightly crisp on the outside, with a soft, creamy center that oozes vanilla-scented cream cheese. This easy cream cheese cinnamon roll recipe works whether you choose the convenient shortcut using refrigerated crescent roll dough or prefer to make a richer batch from scratch. Both methods produce bakery-style results quickly: the shortcut version is ready in about 30 minutes, while the homemade approach yields a more traditional texture in roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. As they bake or air fry, your kitchen will fill with a warm, nostalgic aroma of cinnamon and butter. If you want to know how to make cream cheese cinnamon rolls at home with minimal fuss, these rolls are an ideal choice—perfect for busy mornings, holiday brunches, or as a sweet treat to share.
What Makes This So Irresistible
- Two dough options – Use a refrigerated crescent roll or puff pastry for speed, or make traditional yeast dough for a bakery-style loaf.
- Oven or air fryer – Both methods produce a crisp exterior and tender interior; air frying shortens cook time and gives excellent browning.
- Gooey cream cheese center – A lightly sweetened filling flavored with vanilla and a hint of cinnamon creates a rich, creamy core.
- Cinnamon sugar coating – A butter brush followed by a cinnamon-sugar toss gives a crackling, caramelized finish.
- Make-ahead friendly – These rolls freeze well before baking or can be prepared ahead and warmed when needed.
- Kid-friendly and shareable – Portable, handheld, and easy to serve at parties or brunches.
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Sugar Rolls
- Author: Patricia Jannet
- Total Time: 30 minutes (shortcut) | 1 hr 45 min (homemade)
- Yield: 12–16 rolls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cream Cheese Cinnamon Sugar Rolls combine a smooth, lightly sweetened cream cheese filling with a flaky or pillowy dough, depending on the method you choose. After baking or air frying, each roll is brushed with melted butter and coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture for a sweet, slightly crunchy finish. The shortcut version using crescent dough is ideal for busy mornings, while the homemade dough delivers a classic, tender roll perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 package (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for filling)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet) — for homemade dough
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C) — for homemade dough
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for dough)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour — for homemade dough
- 1/2 tsp salt — for homemade dough
- 1 large egg — for homemade dough
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for homemade dough)
Instructions
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Prepare the dough:
- Shortcut: Unroll the refrigerated crescent dough and press seams together to form a single sheet or use puff pastry. Roll gently into a rectangle and cut into equal squares.
- Homemade: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 2 tablespoons sugar; let sit until foamy, about 5–10 minutes. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter. Knead until smooth, about 5–7 minutes. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Roll the dough into a rectangle and cut into squares.
- Fill and seal: Place 1–2 teaspoons of the cream cheese filling in the center of each square. Fold corners or edges over the filling and pinch tightly to seal so the filling does not leak during baking.
- Cook:
- Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange rolls on a baking sheet and bake 12–15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place rolls in a single layer in the basket and cook 6–8 minutes until golden, working in batches if necessary.
- Finish: Brush warm rolls with melted butter. Toss or sprinkle them in a bowl of mixed granulated sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Seal edges well to prevent cream cheese leakage during baking.
- Cold dough can be easier to shape and seal without sticking.
- Limit filling to 1–2 teaspoons per roll to avoid overfilling.
- Reheat leftovers in a low oven or air fryer to restore crispness; microwave briefly for a softer result.
- These rolls are best served warm to enjoy the gooey cream cheese center.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (10 minutes with shortcut dough)
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake or Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 2g