“My son and husband have declared this his new favorite thing.”

Calling all cinnamon roll lovers and cheesecake enthusiasts! This recipe combines the best of both worlds, creating a truly decadent and delightful treat: Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls.

These gooey rolls boast a soft and pillowy dough wrapped around a creamy cheesecake filling, finished with a touch of classic cinnamon sugar and a sweet glaze.

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients (separated for the dough, cheesecake filling, and glaze) with step-by-step instructions for making these irresistible rolls:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

For the Cheesecake Filling:

For the Glaze (Optional):

Instructions:

1. Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a bowl using a mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined and smooth. Set this mixture aside.

2. Prepare the Dough:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let this mixture sit for 5-7 minutes, allowing the yeast to activate and become foamy.

   • Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Using a dough hook attachment on a stand mixer (or by hand) combine the ingredients until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms.

   • Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 10-12 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic by the end of kneading.

3. Assemble and Roll:

   • Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about ¼-inch thick.

   • Spread the prepared cheesecake filling evenly over the dough rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges for easier rolling.

4. Add the Cinnamon Sugar:

   • Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the cheesecake filling layer.

5. Roll and Cut:

   • Starting from the long side, carefully roll up the dough tightly into a log shape.

   • Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12-15 equal pieces (these will be your cinnamon rolls).

6. Bake and Glaze (Optional):

   • Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each roll to allow for rising.

   • Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

   • While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze (optional) by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.

7. Serve and Enjoy!

   • Take the rolls out of the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a serving platter.

   • Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls, if using. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon sugar for an extra touch of flavor.

   • Serve these delightful Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls warm and enjoy!