Description
Fluffy, golden cream cheese cinnamon sugar rolls filled with sweet vanilla cream cheese and coated in buttery cinnamon sugar. Bake or air fry using crescent roll dough for a quick treat or make them from scratch for a bakery-style finish.
Ingredients
- 1 package (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough or puff pastry
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for coating)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
- For Homemade Dough (Optional):
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for dough)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for dough)
Instructions
- Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare the Dough:
- Shortcut Method: Unroll the crescent roll dough. Pinch seams together to form solid rectangles. Cut into squares.
- Homemade Method: Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar; let sit until foamy. Add flour, salt, egg, and softened butter. Knead for 5–7 minutes. Let rise for 1 hour. Roll into a rectangle and cut into squares.
- Fill the Rolls: Spoon 1–2 teaspoons of cream cheese filling into the center of each dough square. Fold over and pinch edges tightly to seal.
- Bake or Air Fry:
- Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C), bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 350°F (175°C), cook for 6–8 minutes in a single layer.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Brush warm rolls with melted butter. Toss in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar until fully coated.
Notes
- Seal the dough tightly to prevent cream cheese leakage.
- Use cold dough for easier shaping.
- Do not overfill; 1–2 teaspoons of filling is ideal.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer or oven for best texture.
- Serve warm for maximum creaminess and flavor.
- 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 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg