Are you tired of basic weekend breakfast options that leave you wanting more? Those store-bought pastries just don’t hit the spot anymore, do they? Hi, I’m Emma, the heart behind GusRecipes, and I’m about to change your weekend morning routine forever with these Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls that will fill your home with the most intoxicating aroma!
These cookie butter-infused cinnamon rolls promise pillowy soft centers with crisp edges, a decadent swirl of spiced cookie butter, and a cream cheese frosting that melts perfectly into every warm crevice. As someone who’s tested hundreds of sweet roll recipes in my journey to create the perfect weekend treat, I can confidently say these are absolutely game-changing.
In this recipe, I’ll walk you through selecting the perfect ingredients, mastering the dough, creating that signature cookie butter swirl, and answering all your burning questions about make-ahead options and storage. Get ready for your new weekend baking tradition!
Why These Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls Work
- Uses simple pantry staples with one special ingredient (cookie butter) that transforms everything
- Can be prepped the night before for fresh-baked morning bliss
- Perfect balance of sweetness and spice that appeals to both kids and adults
- Creates an impressive centerpiece for brunches that looks professional with minimal effort
- Freezes beautifully for future weekend treats
Choosing the Right Cookie Butter for Cinnamon Rolls
Best Cookie Butter Options
Whether you call it cookie butter, Biscoff spread, or speculoos paste, this spiced spread is the star ingredient. Lotus Biscoff spread offers authentic flavor with caramelized notes, while Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter provides a slightly sweeter profile with prominent cinnamon notes. Either works beautifully in these cinnamon rolls.
Buying Tips
Look for cookie butter in the peanut butter aisle of most grocery stores. For the richest flavor, choose “crunchy” cookie butter which contains small cookie pieces that create delightful texture pockets throughout your rolls.
Substitutions
Can’t find cookie butter? While nothing perfectly replicates its unique flavor, you can substitute with a mixture of almond butter, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice for a similar warm, spiced profile in these cinnamon rolls.
Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients & Prep
Dough Essentials
The perfect cinnamon roll begins with the perfect dough. For these cookie butter cinnamon rolls, you’ll need:
- Active dry yeast Ensures proper rise and fluffy texture
- Warm milk Activates the yeast (105-110°F is ideal)
- Granulated sugar Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness
- Eggs Provides structure and richness
- Unsalted butter Creates tender, flaky layers
- All-purpose flour Forms the foundation of your dough
- Salt Enhances flavor and controls yeast activity
Cookie Butter Filling
- Cookie butter spread – ½ cup, slightly warmed for easy spreading
- Brown sugar – ¼ cup, packed for caramelization
- Ground cinnamon – 2 tablespoons for classic flavor
- Pinch of salt – Balances sweetness
- Butter – 3 tablespoons, softened but not melted
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream cheese Room temperature for smooth blending
- Powdered sugar For sweetness without grittiness
- Vanilla extract Enhances flavor profile
- Heavy cream Creates silky texture
Step-by-Step Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls Instructions
Pre-Cooking Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls Prep
- Activate yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar until foamy (about 5-10 minutes).
- In a stand mixer, combine yeast mixture with remaining dough ingredients.
- Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8-10 minutes).
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled (approximately 1 hour).
Rolling and Filling Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls
- Roll dough into a large rectangle (approximately 14×18 inches).
- Spread softened butter across the surface.
- Mix cookie butter with brown sugar and cinnamon, then spread evenly over buttered dough.
- Starting with the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Cut into 12 equal rolls using unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife.
Baking Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls
- Place rolls in a greased 9×13 baking dish, leaving space between each.
- Cover and allow to rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Check doneness by ensuring the center roll reaches 190°F.
Frosting Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls
- Beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough cream to reach desired consistency.
- Spread over rolls while still warm so it melts slightly into the crevices.
- For an extra cookie butter boost, drizzle warmed cookie butter over the frosted rolls.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls
Avoiding Dry Cinnamon Rolls
- Don’t add too much flour during kneading – the dough should be soft and slightly tacky
- Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overbaking
- Apply frosting while rolls are still warm
- Store properly in an airtight container
Tool Recommendations
- Stand mixer with dough hook for effortless kneading
- Silicone pastry mat with measurements for perfect rectangle rolling
- Unflavored dental floss for clean cuts without squishing the rolls
- Light-colored aluminum pan for even baking without burnt bottoms
Storage & Reheating
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Refrigerator: Extend freshness to 1 week
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted rolls for up to 2 months
- Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 20-30 seconds with a small dish of water for perfect moisture
Love these cookie butter cinnamon rolls? Find more weekend baking inspiration on my Pinterest board where I share exclusive tips and variations you won’t want to miss!
Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls Flavor Variations
Seasonal Twists
- Fall Harvest: Add diced apples to the filling and sprinkle with nutmeg
- Winter Comfort: Mix crushed gingersnap cookies into the filling for extra spice
- Spring Celebration: Add lemon zest to the dough and frosting for brightness
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-Free: Substitute cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and add 1 tsp xanthan gum
- Vegan: Use plant-based milk, butter, and cream cheese alternatives
- Reduced Sugar: Cut sugar by ⅓ and rely on cookie butter’s natural sweetness
| Variation | Additional Ingredients | Baking Adjustments | Best Served With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Cookie Butter | 1 cup diced apples | Add 5 min bake time | Caramel drizzle |
| Triple Cookie | ½ cup cookie crumbles in filling | None | Warmed cookie butter drizzle |
| Chocolate Chip | ½ cup mini chocolate chips | None | Chocolate ganache |
| Chai Spiced | 1 tsp cardamom, ¼ tsp cloves | None | Vanilla bean frosting |
Serving Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls Suggestions
- Pair with a strong cup of coffee to balance the sweetness
- Serve alongside fresh berries for a bright contrast
- For brunch gatherings, create a cinnamon roll board with different frostings and toppings
- Complement with savory breakfast casseroles for a complete meal
- Top with vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent dessert version
Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls FAQs
Can I make these cookie butter cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the rolls through the cutting stage, place in your baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, allow them to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Why didn’t my dough rise properly?
Check that your yeast is fresh and that your milk wasn’t too hot (which can kill yeast). Also, ensure your rising environment is warm enough around 75-80°F is ideal.
Can I freeze these cookie butter cinnamon rolls?
Yes! Freeze them either before the second rise (preferred) or after baking but before frosting. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then allow to come to room temperature before baking or reheating.
How do I know when my cinnamon rolls are perfectly done?
The tops should be golden brown, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center roll should read 190°F. Underbaked rolls will be doughy in the center, while overbaked rolls will be dry.
Conclusion
Cookie butter cinnamon rolls are more than just a breakfast they’re a weekend ritual worth savoring. The combination of warm spices, buttery dough, and that distinctive cookie butter flavor creates something truly magical that will have your family running to the kitchen every weekend morning.
I’d love to see your cookie butter cinnamon roll creations! Tag @GusRecipes on social media or leave a comment below with your experience.
Remember, the best recipes are the ones that bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your loved ones’ faces. Happy baking!
Print
Cookie Butter Cinnamon Rolls: Your Ultimate Weekend Baking Bliss!
- Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls filled with luscious cookie butter and warm cinnamon sugar, then topped with a silky cookie butter glaze the ultimate cozy breakfast indulgence!
Ingredients
**For the Dough:**
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
**For the Filling:**
1/2 cup cookie butter (such as Biscoff or Speculoos)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
**For the Cookie Butter Glaze:**
2 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp cookie butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Warm the milk to about 110°F and mix with yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, butter, egg, and the yeast mixture.
3. Mix and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6–8 minutes.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. In a small bowl, mix softened butter, cookie butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling.
6. Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick) and spread the filling evenly.
7. Roll up tightly from the long side, then slice into 10–12 rolls.
8. Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
10. Meanwhile, make the glaze by mixing cream cheese, cookie butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
11. Spread glaze over warm rolls and serve immediately.
Notes
Add crushed Biscoff cookies inside the filling for extra crunch.
For a stronger spice flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger.
Store leftovers in the fridge and warm slightly before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: cookie butter cinnamon rolls, biscoff rolls, speculoos rolls, cream cheese glaze