Irresistible Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups Recipe (Easy & Crispy)

Cinnamon cream cheese roll ups are small, handheld rolls made by spreading sweetened cream cheese over flattened bread (or tortillas or crescent dough), rolling them up tightly, dipping them in melted butter, and coating them in cinnamon sugar before baking or pan-frying until crisp.

They’re often described as:

• Churro-style bread rolls
• Cream cheese stuffed roll ups
• Cinnamon sugar breakfast bites

At their core, they combine three things people love:

• A crunchy, sugary exterior
• A soft, creamy filling
• Warm cinnamon flavor in every bite

1. Uses Simple Ingredients

You probably have almost everything on hand already:

• Soft white sandwich bread or flour tortillas
• Block-style cream cheese
• Sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Butter
• Vanilla extract

No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps — just pantry and fridge staples transformed into something that tastes like it took all day.

2. Super Quick to Put Together

Once your cream cheese is softened and your bread is trimmed, the process moves fast:

• Flatten
• Fill
• Roll
• Dip
• Coat
• Bake

With a bit of practice, you can go from empty counter to a tray of cinnamon sugar cream cheese roll ups in around 20–30 minutes, making them ideal for:

• Weekend brunch
• Last-minute dessert
• After-school snack
• Sleepovers and holidays

3. Crispy Outside, Creamy Inside

The contrast in texture is what makes these cinnamon cream cheese roll ups so addictive:

• The cinnamon sugar mixture caramelizes and crisps on the outside.
• The sweet cream cheese filling stays velvety and smooth.

Every bite feels like a cross between a crisp churro and a tender cheesecake roll.

4. Easy to Customize

Once you master the basic recipe, you can turn it into your signature:

• Change the base: bread, tortillas, or crescent roll dough.
• Flavor the filling: vanilla, citrus zest, cocoa, or spices.
• Add mix-ins: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit.

We’ll walk through plenty of variations below so you can tailor this cinnamon cream cheese roll ups recipe to any occasion.

Here’s a detailed look at what goes into your cinnamon cream cheese roll ups and why each ingredient matters.

Bread or Dough Base

For the classic version, you’ll use soft white sandwich bread:

• Choose bread that’s:
  • Fresh but not overly moist
  • Soft enough to flatten without tearing
  • Standard rectangular slices

You can also experiment with:

• Tortillas – create tortilla cinnamon cream cheese roll ups that slice easily and roll tightly.
• Crescent roll dough or puff pastry – gives a flakier, richer texture closer to bakery-style sweet rolls.

Cream Cheese Filling

This is the heart of your cream cheese stuffed roll ups:

• 1 block (8 oz / 225 g) brick-style cream cheese, softened
• Granulated sugar or powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt (optional, but it boosts flavor)

Brick-style cream cheese gives the best structure and rich texture. Softening it fully is essential for a silky filling that spreads easily and bakes beautifully. Live Well Bake Often

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

To create the churro-style crust, you’ll need:

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Melted butter

The butter helps the cinnamon sugar cling to the roll ups and encourages browning, while the sugar caramelizes into that irresistible, crisp shell.

1. Prep Your Workspace

Before you start rolling, set yourself up:

• Preheat your oven to 175–190°C (350–375°F).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Melt the butter and let it cool slightly.
• Soften your cream cheese until it’s easy to beat.

Having everything ready will make assembling your cinnamon cream cheese roll ups smooth and quick.

2. Flatten the Bread (or Prep the Tortillas/Crescents)

If using sandwich bread:

1. Trim the crusts from each slice.
2. Use a rolling pin (or a clean glass bottle) to roll each slice into a thin rectangle.
3. Aim for bread that’s thin but not tearing.

This step gives you:

• Even cooking
• A tight roll
• A delicate, crisp exterior

If using flour tortillas:

• Warm them briefly in a dry pan or microwave so they’re more pliable.
• Avoid overheating so they don’t dry out and crack when rolled.

If using crescent dough:

• Separate the dough along the perforations or gently press seams together to form rectangles.
• Keep the dough as cold as possible while working so it stays easy to handle.

3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, combine:

• Softened cream cheese
• Sugar (start with ¼–⅓ cup and adjust to taste)
• 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• A tiny pinch of salt

Beat until very smooth and creamy, scraping down the bowl as needed. The filling should be:

• Thick enough to stay put
• Smooth enough to spread easily
• Not runny or lumpy

This is your rich, sweet cream cheese filling that turns into the center of your roll ups.

4. Mix the Cinnamon Sugar

In a shallow bowl, stir together:

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Adjust to taste:

• Want more spice? Add more cinnamon.
• Prefer a milder flavor? Use a bit less cinnamon or add a small pinch of vanilla sugar.

Keep this bowl handy; you’ll be rolling each buttered roll in this mixture.

5. Fill and Roll

Now comes the fun part: building your cinnamon cream cheese roll ups.

For each slice (or piece of dough):

1. Spread a thin, even layer of cream cheese filling over the surface, leaving a small border at one short edge.
2. Roll up tightly, starting from the opposite short edge, ending at the plain border so it can seal.
3. Press gently along the seam to secure.

Tips:

• Don’t overfill — too much filling can cause leaks.
• Roll firmly but gently so the bread doesn’t crack.
• If you’re using tortillas, roll them snugly to prevent hollow centers.

6. Dip in Butter & Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

Working one roll at a time:

1. Quickly dip the roll into the melted butter, turning so it’s lightly coated.
2. Let any excess butter drip off.
3. Roll the buttered log in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.

Place each coated roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

This step transforms plain bread into churro-style cream cheese roll ups with a beautifully caramelized exterior.

7. Bake Until Golden and Crisp

Bake in the preheated oven for around 15–20 minutes (depending on your oven and dough choice), or until:

• The outside is deep golden brown
• The cinnamon sugar looks slightly caramelized
• The edges are crisp

The cream cheese is already safe to eat, so you’re mostly aiming for:

• Proper color
• Crisp texture
• Warm, melty center

If you like your roll ups extra crispy, you can give them an additional 2–3 minutes, watching closely so the sugar doesn’t burn.

8. Cool Slightly & Serve

Let the cinnamon cream cheese roll ups cool on the pan for a few minutes:

• This allows the filling to set slightly.
• They’ll be easier to pick up and less likely to ooze.

Serve warm for the best texture and flavor — this is when the crisp outside and creamy center really shine.

These cinnamon cream cheese roll ups are incredibly versatile. Here’s how to serve them so they really stand out.

When to Serve

They’re perfect for:

• Weekend or holiday breakfasts
• Brunch platters
• Dessert tables
• Potlucks or school events
• Movie-night snacks

What to Serve With Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups

Pair them with:

• Coffee, cappuccino, or cold brew
• Hot chocolate or chai
• A big pitcher of milk
• Fresh fruit or fruit salad for contrast

Simple Presentation Ideas

• Stack them pyramid-style on a platter and dust with extra cinnamon sugar.
• Slice them into bite-sized coins and serve with toothpicks.
• Arrange them in a circle around a bowl of dipping sauce (vanilla cream, chocolate, or caramel).

One of the most useful things about this cinnamon cream cheese roll up recipe is how flexible it is for planning.

Assemble Ahead (Unbaked)

You can assemble the roll-ups and refrigerate them before baking:

• Place filled roll-ups in a single layer on a tray.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

When ready to bake:

• Let them sit at room temperature for a short time while you preheat the oven.
• Dip in butter, coat in cinnamon sugar, and bake as directed.

Storing Baked Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups

If you have leftovers (or are intentionally planning):

• Let baked roll-ups cool completely.
• Place them in an airtight container.
• Store at room temperature for a short time or in the fridge if you want to keep them longer.

The principles are similar: airtight storage is your friend.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze your cinnamon cream cheese roll-ups:

• Cool completely after baking.
• Place them on a tray to freeze individually.
• Once solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or container, squeezing out excess air.

To serve:

• Reheat in a low oven or air fryer until warmed through and crisp again.
• Avoid reheating on very high heat, which can over-brown the sugar.

Even simple recipes can benefit from a few insider tricks. Here’s how to solve common issues and get next-level results.

1. My Roll Ups Turned Out Soggy

Possible reasons:

• Too much butter: Dip quickly, don’t soak.
• Oven temperature too low.
• The baking sheet is overcrowded, stopping airflow.

Fix it next time by:

• Use just enough butter for a thin coat.
• Ensuring you’re baking at the correct temperature.
• Leave space between each roll on the tray.

2. The Filling Leaked Out

If your cream cheese filling oozed everywhere:

• You might be spreading it too thick.
• You may not be leaving enough border.
• The rolls might not be rolled tightly enough.

Try:

• Using less filling per slice.
• Leaving a small unfilled strip at the end to seal the roll.
• Rolling firmly and placing the seam side down on the baking sheet.

3. Sugar Burned Before the Rolls Were Done

This can happen if:

• The oven is running hotter than expected.
• The rolls are placed on a very high rack.

Solutions:

• Bake on the middle rack.
• Check your rolls a few minutes earlier.
• If the tops brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil.

4. The Filling Was Lumpy

Lumpy filling almost always comes down to cream cheese that wasn’t fully softened or mixed thoroughly.

• Make sure to soften your cream cheese completely before beating.
• Beat until completely smooth before adding sugar and vanilla.

1. Can I Use Crescent Rolls Instead of Bread?

Yes! You can definitely make crescent roll cinnamon cream cheese roll-ups:

• Spread the cream cheese filling over the dough.
• Roll tightly from the wide end to the tip.
• Dip in butter and coat in cinnamon sugar before baking.

You’ll get a richer, more pastry-like result.

2. Can I Make These the Night Before?

Absolutely.

• Assemble the roll-ups and arrange them on a tray.
• Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, dip in butter, roll in cinnamon sugar, and bake just before serving.

3. Do Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups Need to Be Refrigerated?

If you plan to keep them for more than a short time, it’s a good idea to store them in an airtight container in the fridge, so they stay fresher for longer. Then reheat gently before serving.