Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Rolls

 Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Rolls
Author: tinsuf

Cuisine: American

Category: Dessert / Breakfast

Yield: 8

 rolls

Prep Time: 10 minutes


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Sugar
Cheese
creamy
Pastry
pastries
Roll
cream
Cookie
cheese
Cream cheese

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Table of Contents

    Introduction
    Ingredients
    Step-by-Step Instructions
    Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips
    Storage & Make-Ahead
    Why This Recipe Works
    Expert Tips

Introduction


Flaky, golden rolls filled with sweet cream cheese and coated in cinnamon sugar—these Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Rolls are the ultimate quick dessert or breakfast treat. They combine the buttery, layered texture of refrigerated crescent dough with a tangy-sweet cream cheese center and a crisp, caramelized cinnamon-sugar exterior. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are ideal for busy mornings, last-minute guests, or whenever you want warm, comforting pastries without the fuss. This easy, crowd-pleasing recipe is brought to you by tinsuf.
Ingredients

    1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 count)
    1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
    1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    1/4 cup melted butter
    1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
    1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

Tip: Use full-fat cream cheese and real butter for the creamiest, most flavorful result.
Step-by-Step Instructions

    Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
    In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
    Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling at the wide end of each triangle, then roll toward the narrow tip, sealing the edges gently.
    Brush each roll with melted butter. In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Roll each buttered pastry in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
    Arrange the rolls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small gap between each. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until the rolls are puffed and golden brown.
    Allow the rolls to cool briefly on a wire rack. Serve warm for the best contrast of crisp exterior and creamy interior.

Troubleshooting & Consistency Tips

    Filling leaks: Avoid overfilling the triangles; roughly 1 tablespoon per triangle is sufficient. Seal the narrow tip well and place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
    Rolls too soft on the bottom: Use a parchment-lined baking sheet and ensure the oven is fully preheated. If bottoms brown too quickly, lower the rack one position.
    Pastry not flaky: Work quickly and do not overhandle the crescent dough. Keep ingredients cold until assembly for best flakiness.
    Cinnamon sugar not sticking: Brush rolls generously with melted butter before coating so the sugar adheres and caramelizes in the oven.

Storage & Make-Ahead

    Short-term storage: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to refresh crispness.
    Freeze unbaked: Assemble the rolls, place them on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a sealed container. Bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C), adding about 5 minutes to the bake time.
    Make-ahead: Prepare the filling in advance and keep refrigerated. Assemble and chill rolls up to 24 hours before baking for convenience; bake from chilled, adding a couple of minutes to baking time if needed.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe succeeds because it pairs an easy, buttery crescent dough with a simple cream cheese filling that is both sweet and tangy. The crescent dough bakes into layered, flaky pastry with minimal effort, while the cinnamon-sugar coating caramelizes for a crisp, flavorful crust. Brushing with butter before coating ensures excellent adhesion and a golden finish. The result is an irresistible contrast of textures—crisp outside, tender and creamy inside—achieved in very little hands-on time.


Expert Tips

    Add 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar to the cream cheese filling for a deeper caramel note.
    Fold in a tablespoon of mini chocolate chips or a teaspoon of lemon zest to the filling for a fun variation.
    For an extra-glossy finish, brush 

 rolls with a simple glaze (1/2 cup powdered sugar + 1–2 teaspoons milk) once slightly cooled.
If you prefer a less sweet exterior, reduce the coating sugar to 1/3 cup and increase cinnamon to 1½ teaspoons.
To make smaller bite-size

     pastries, divide each triangle into two strips and adjust baking time accordingly.

These Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Rolls are a quick, comforting treat that feel like a bakery indulgence with minimal effort. Recipe developed and tested by tinsuf. For more simple, delicious pastries and easy desserts, visit tinsuf.com.