Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls: Bakery Magic Unleashed!

Ever found yourself craving something truly extraordinary for breakfast but settled for the same old pastry? Say goodbye to ordinary morning treats! These Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls deliver a decadent twist on a classic favorite that will transform your breakfast table into a gourmet bakery experience.

As a pastry enthusiast who’s spent countless hours perfecting the art of cinnamon roll baking, I’ve discovered that adding cookies and cream elements creates an irresistible flavor profile that’s both nostalgic and innovative. The result? Pillowy soft rolls with a cookies and cream filling that melts in your mouth with every bite.

In this recipe guide, you’ll discover my secrets for perfect dough texture, how to create the ultimate cookies and cream filling, and professional-level frosting techniques. I’ll also share troubleshooting tips, make-ahead instructions, and creative serving ideas to elevate your baking game!

Why These Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls Work

• Uses simple pantry ingredients combined with cookie elements for an extraordinary flavor
• Foolproof dough recipe that rises beautifully every time
• Perfect balance of sweet cookies and cream filling with warm cinnamon spice
• Versatile recipe that works for special brunches or weekend family breakfasts
• Make-ahead friendly for stress-free morning baking

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Best Cookie Elements for This Recipe

The star of these cinnamon rolls is the cookies and cream component. Chocolate sandwich cookies with white cream filling work best as they provide the perfect contrast against the cinnamon background. Look for cookies with a good amount of filling, as this contributes to the creamy texture in your rolls.

Quality Considerations

For the best cookies and cream cinnamon rolls, focus on high-quality ingredients:

• Use unbleached all-purpose flour for a tender crumb
• Choose real vanilla extract rather than imitation
• Select unsalted butter to control saltiness in your dough
• Opt for full-fat cream cheese for the richest frosting

Substitutions

If you need to make adjustments to your cookies and cream cinnamon rolls:

• Gluten-free flour blends can replace all-purpose flour (look for ones specifically designed for baking)
• Dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives work well for lactose-sensitive bakers
• Vanilla bean paste can substitute for extract for more intense flavor

Ingredients & Prep for Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Dough Essentials

• Warm milk (activates yeast for perfect rise)
• Active dry yeast (creates light, fluffy texture)
• Granulated sugar (feeds yeast and adds sweetness)
• Eggs (provide structure and richness)
• All-purpose flour (forms the base of your dough)
• Salt (enhances flavor depth)
• Butter (creates tenderness)

Cookies and Cream Filling

• Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Softened butter
• Vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Cookie crumbs for garnish

Step-by-Step Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls Instructions

Pre-Cooking Prep for Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

1. Activate your yeast by combining it with warm milk (105-110°F) and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit until foamy, about 5-10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, crush your chocolate sandwich cookies to various textures some fine, some chunky for dimension in your filling.
3. Prepare your workspace by clearing a clean counter for rolling and lightly flouring the surface.

Dough Method for Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

1. Mix activated yeast mixture with eggs, remaining sugar, and melted butter.
2. Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size (approximately 1-1.5 hours).

Filling and Rolling Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

1. Roll dough into a large rectangle approximately 16×22 inches.
2. Spread softened butter evenly across the surface.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture, then generously distribute crushed cookies.
4. Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
5. Cut into 12 equal slices using dental floss or a sharp knife.

Baking Your Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

1. Arrange rolls in a greased 9×13 baking dish, allowing space between each.
2. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
3. Bake at 350°F for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before frosting.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Avoiding Common Dough Problems

• Keep your milk temperature between 105-110°F too hot will kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it
• Don’t rush the rise time; patience yields fluffier rolls
• Use a ruler when rolling out dough for consistent thickness
• Avoid overworking the dough which can make tough rolls

Tool Recommendations

• Stand mixer with dough hook for effortless kneading
• Silicone baking mat with measurements for perfect rectangle dimensions
• Bench scraper for easy dough handling
• Pastry brush for applying butter evenly

Storage & Reheating

• Store unfrosted rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days
• Refrigerate frosted rolls for up to 5 days
• Freeze fully cooled rolls (frosted or unfrosted) for up to 2 months
• Reheat individual rolls in microwave for 20-30 seconds

Looking for more baking inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board where I share all my favorite sweet and savory treats!

Flavor Variations for Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Seasonal Twists

• Pumpkin Spice: Add 1/2 cup pumpkin puree to dough and use pumpkin pie spice in filling
• Peppermint: Add crushed peppermint candies to filling and peppermint extract to frosting
• Maple Pecan: Substitute maple syrup for some sugar and add crushed pecans to filling

Dietary Adaptations

• Reduced Sugar: Use monk fruit sweetener in place of sugar in both dough and filling
• Whole Grain: Replace up to half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour
• Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk, butter, and cream cheese alternatives

Gourmet Variations

• Double Chocolate: Add cocoa powder to the dough and use chocolate chips in filling
• Cheesecake Swirl: Add a layer of cheesecake filling before the cookie crumbs
• Birthday Cake: Use golden sandwich cookies and add sprinkles to both filling and frosting

Serving Suggestions for Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

• Pair with fresh berries to cut through the richness
• Serve alongside a glass of cold milk for the ultimate cookies and cream experience
• Create a breakfast board with these rolls as the centerpiece, surrounded by fresh fruit and yogurt
• For dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a warm roll

FAQs About Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the rolls up to the point of the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, allow them to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

My dough isn’t rising properly. What went wrong?
Check your yeast’s expiration date and ensure your milk wasn’t too hot when added. Also, place your dough in a warm, draft-free area for rising near a preheating oven works well.

Can I freeze these cookies and cream cinnamon rolls?
Yes! Freeze fully baked and cooled rolls individually wrapped in plastic, then stored in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm before serving.

How do I know when my cinnamon rolls are perfectly baked?
The tops should be golden brown, and the internal temperature should reach about 190°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, insert a toothpick into the center of a roll—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Conclusion

These Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls combine the comforting warmth of traditional cinnamon rolls with the playful indulgence of cookies and cream truly the best of both worlds! Whether you’re baking for a special weekend breakfast, holiday morning, or simply treating yourself, these rolls are guaranteed to impress.

The magic of these rolls lies in their versatility and crowd-pleasing flavor profile. I encourage you to make the recipe your own experiment with different cookie varieties, play with the frosting, or try one of the variations I’ve suggested.

I’d love to see your cookies and cream cinnamon roll creations! Share your baking journey with GusRecipes on social media, and let me know how these delightful rolls brightened your day. Happy baking!

Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls: Bakery Magic Unleashed!

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• Author: Emma Emma
• Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Ultra-soft cinnamon rolls filled with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and finished with a rich cookies-and-cream frosting. A decadent twist on classic cinnamon rolls that’s perfect for dessert or special brunches.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 cup warm milk

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp salt

1 large egg

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp heavy cream

Additional crushed cookies for topping

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar; let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Stir in melted butter, salt, egg, and flour until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead until smooth, then cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.

4. Roll dough into a rectangle and spread with softened butter.

5. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar, cinnamon, and crushed cookies.

6. Roll tightly and slice into rolls; place in a greased baking dish.

7. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes until lightly golden.

9. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream until smooth.

10. Spread frosting over warm rolls and sprinkle with additional cookie crumbs.

Notes

Use regular or double-stuffed cookies depending on how rich you want the filling.

Do not overbake to keep the rolls soft.

Rolls can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning.

• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 340mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: cookies and cream cinnamon rolls, oreo cinnamon rolls, dessert rolls, sweet breakfast