Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Who can resist the sweet, buttery aroma of cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven? These Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirls are the perfect combination of warm, soft dough, sweet brown sugar, and a heavenly cinnamon mixture. This recipe is a homemade version of the iconic treat you’d find at The Cheesecake Factory—soft, swirled perfection with a sticky sweet glaze that will make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a bakery. Whether you’re enjoying them for brunch, dessert, or with your morning coffee, they’re pure comfort food.
Ingredients
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll need to make this heavenly treat:
- All-purpose flour
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Milk
- Butter
- Eggs
- Ground cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
The full ingredient list with exact measurements is in the recipe card below.
Directions
- Prepare the yeast mixture: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and a bit of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit until frothy—about 5-10 minutes.
- Mix the dough: Add eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Slowly add the flour, a little at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size (about 1-2 hours).
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll out the dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Add the filling: Spread a generous amount of butter over the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture evenly on top.
- Form the rolls: Carefully roll the dough into a tight spiral, slice into even portions, and place them in a greased baking dish.
- Bake: Preheat your oven and bake the rolls until golden and bubbly (about 20-25 minutes).
- Prepare the icing: While the rolls are baking, whip up a sweet glaze with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk.
- Glaze the rolls: Once the rolls are out of the oven, drizzle the cream cheese icing over the warm rolls.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Keep the dough soft: Avoid overworking the dough. Knead just until smooth to ensure tender rolls.
- Warm milk is key: Make sure your milk is warm but not too hot—around 110°F—to activate the yeast.
- Don’t skip the icing: The cream cheese glaze is the finishing touch that takes these rolls from delicious to divine.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Gluten-free alternative: Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Vegan version: Replace milk with almond, oat, or soy milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Add nuts: Fold in some walnuts or pecans to the filling for a crunch factor.
- Make it apple cinnamon: Add thinly sliced apples to the filling mixture for a sweet and tangy twist.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirls are perfect for pairing with:
- A hot cup of coffee or espresso
- A steaming mug of tea
- A light fruit salad for a balanced brunch combo
- Vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert treat
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
FAQs
1. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! You can use instant yeast by adding it directly to the flour mixture without activating it first.
2. Can I freeze these rolls?
Absolutely! Freeze them after baking and glazing, then reheat them in the oven when ready to enjoy.
3. How can I make the icing more runny?
Add a splash of milk or cream to thin it out to your desired consistency.
4. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the rolls up to the point of baking, cover them, and store them in the refrigerator overnight. Bake them fresh the next morning.
Conclusion
These Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirls are a must-try recipe that brings the magic of The Cheesecake Factory right to your kitchen. Soft, buttery, and filled with a sweet cinnamon filling, topped with a dreamy cream cheese glaze—they’re perfect for any occasion or just because.
Whether you’re baking for brunch, dessert, or simply because you’re craving something sweet, these rolls will transport you to that cozy, comforting bakery vibe. So, preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and let the baking magic begin. You won’t regret it
Print
The Cheesecake Factory Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including rise time)
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl from The Cheesecake Factory is a decadent dessert with a rich cinnamon filling that swirls through a soft and buttery dough. Topped with a sweet glaze, these rolls are perfect for a special breakfast or dessert. Every bite is packed with gooey cinnamon goodness, making it a treat you won’t forget!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Dough:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add the sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and cinnamon to the yeast mixture. Gradually stir in the flour, one cup at a time, until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Filling:
- While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter together in a bowl to form the cinnamon filling. Set aside.
- Roll the Dough:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
- Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border along the edges.
- Shape the Rolls:
- Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal rolls and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Rise the Rolls:
- Cover the pan with a cloth and let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
- Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Make the Glaze:
- While the rolls bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to create the glaze. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.
- Glaze and Serve:
- Once the rolls are out of the oven, drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy the gooey cinnamon swirl goodness!
Notes
- For an extra indulgent touch, add cream cheese to the glaze.
- You can make the dough the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze them for up to a month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: ~350
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0g