A Fragrant Dessert for Tea Time — Golden, Sweet, and Irresistible! ☕🌟
💫 Introduction
There’s something truly enchanting about the scent of cinnamon wafting through a kitchen — it feels like home, comfort, and celebration all at once. 🍯 These Soft Rolls with Cream Cheese and Cinnamon capture that magic perfectly: a tender brioche-style dough, light as air, hugging a creamy cheese filling and finished with a sweet golden crust. 💛 The warmth of cinnamon meets the smoothness of the cream cheese, creating a dessert that feels both indulgent and gentle. ✨ Fresh from the oven, they fill the room with the aroma of sugar, spice, and pure happiness. 🌿 Whether served at breakfast, afternoon tea, or as a cosy after-dinner treat, each roll melts in the mouth and leaves behind the taste of comfort. 🍥 The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make — just knead, rest, roll, and bake your way to a masterpiece that no bakery can rival. 💫
⏱️ Quick Overview
🥣 Prep Time: 25 minutes
⏰ Rising Time: 1 hour
🔥 Bake Time: 25 minutes
🍽️ Total Time: About 2 hours
🍰 Servings: 10–12 rolls
🎯 Difficulty: Medium
🌿 Perfect For: Breakfasts, tea time, or cosy evenings
💛 Flavour: Sweet, creamy, and warmly spiced
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🍥 Soft as a Cloud: The dough is pillowy and light.
🍯 Creamy Filling: Sweetened cream cheese adds luxury.
🌿 Cinnamon Magic: Fragrant, comforting, and irresistible.
☕ Perfect with Tea or Coffee: A charming afternoon delight.
✨ Golden Finish: Crispy top, tender heart.
🍰 Homemade Comfort: Tastes like a bakery, smells like heaven.
💛 Simple Joy: Every swirl tells a story of sweetness.
📅 Nutrition Per Serving (12 rolls)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Sugars: 12 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Fibre: 1 g
- Calcium: 45 mg
(Based on standard butter, milk, and cream cheese.)
👨🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
✔️ Step 1 – Activate the Yeast
Dissolve the yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar in warm milk and let it rest for 10 minutes until foamy.
💡 Tip: The milk should be warm, not hot — about 37°C (body temperature).
✔️ Step 2 – Prepare the Dough
Add the egg, sugar, salt, and melted butter to the milk mixture. Gradually incorporate flour until a soft dough forms. Knead until smooth and elastic.
💡 Tip: The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
✔️ Step 3 – First Rise
Cover and leave the dough in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
💡 Tip: A lightly oiled bowl prevents sticking during rising.
✔️ Step 4 – Prepare the Filling
Mix cream cheese with sugar and vanilla sugar until creamy and smooth.
💡 Tip: Soften the cheese first for easier blending.
✔️ Step 5 – Shape the Rolls
Roll out the dough into a sheet and cut into strips about 5 cm wide. Spread the cream filling on each strip and roll up tightly.
💡 Tip: Don’t overfill — the cream expands slightly when baked.
✔️ Step 6 – Coat for Crunch
Brush each roll with melted butter and roll it in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
💡 Tip: For richer colour, add a touch of brown sugar to the coating.
✔️ Step 7 – Bake to Perfection
Place on parchment-lined trays and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.
💡 Tip: Rotate the tray halfway for even baking.
✔️ Step 8 – Cool and Serve
Allow to cool slightly, then serve warm to enjoy the full aroma.
💡 Tip: Dust with icing sugar before serving for a bakery-style finish.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Dough 🍞
• 500 g flour
• 250 ml warm milk
• 70 g sugar
• 70 g melted butter
• 7 g instant dry yeast
• 1 egg
• A pinch of salt
For the Filling 🍰
• 200 g cream cheese (softened)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
For the Topping 🍯
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 4 tablespoons sugar + 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
🧊 Storage & Freshness Tips
🍥 Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
❄️ Refrigerate up to 4 days for freshness — reheat before serving.
🍫 Warm for 10 seconds in the microwave to restore softness.
🌿 Freeze baked rolls for up to 1 month; thaw and reheat gently.
🍯 Add a drizzle of honey after reheating to revive the shine.
🍽️ Kitchen Tools and 🛠️ Equipment Needed 🔪
🥣 Large mixing bowl – for dough preparation
🍳 Saucepan – to warm milk and melt butter
🍞 Rolling pin – for shaping dough evenly
🧁 Parchment-lined baking tray – for non-stick baking
🥄 Silicone spatula – for spreading filling
🍯 Pastry brush – for butter coating
🍽️ Cooling rack – to maintain crispness
🔥 Oven preheated to 180°C – essential for even baking
📅 Nutritional Benefits
🥛 Milk provides calcium and protein for bones.
🥚 Egg adds richness and structure.
🧈 Butter gives energy and flavour.
🍥 Cream cheese contains healthy fats and minerals.
🌿 Cinnamon supports metabolism and balances sugar levels.
🍬 Moderate sugar keeps sweetness balanced.
🍞 Homemade dough means no additives or preservatives.
🍯 Yeast fermentation adds lightness and digestibility.
☕ Great for mindful indulgence in small portions.
💛 Comforting warmth supports mood and relaxation.
🌿 Health Benefits of the Ingredients
🌾 Flour supplies slow-release energy for the day.
🥛 Milk hydrates and enriches with vitamins.
🍯 Cinnamon is known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
🥚 Eggs provide complete protein and B vitamins.
🧀 Cream cheese contributes calcium and healthy fats.
🧈 Butter in moderation aids nutrient absorption.
🍬 Vanilla enhances mood through aroma.
🍥 Balanced fats make it more satiating and less tempting to overeat.
🌿 A homemade recipe avoids industrial sweeteners.
☕ Perfect pairing with tea helps digestion and comfort.
📅 Serving Suggestions
☕ Serve warm for breakfast or tea — the aroma is irresistible.
🍯 Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
🍥 Dust with icing sugar before serving for a bakery look.
🍓 Pair with fresh strawberries or berries for freshness.
🥛 Serve with cold milk for a comforting contrast.
🍫 Dip into melted chocolate or hazelnut spread.
🌿 Garnish with mint or edible flowers for elegance.
🍎 Add a spoon of apple compote for an autumn twist.
🍰 Serve on a wooden board lined with parchment for rustic style.
💛 Enjoy slightly warm for that melt-in-the-mouth moment.
💡 Top 20 Tips
Warm the milk just enough to activate yeast, not hot.
Use strong bread flour for perfect gluten development.
Knead for at least 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
If dough sticks, oil your hands instead of adding flour.
Let dough rise in a slightly warm oven (light on, heat off).
Don’t rush proofing — volume doubles when ready.
Use room-temperature butter for a smoother mix.
Seal rolls tightly to prevent filling leaks.
Don’t overfill — the cream expands slightly while baking.
Mix cinnamon and sugar evenly for consistent coating.
Rotate tray halfway through baking for even browning.
Brush with butter immediately after baking for shine.
Cool briefly before serving — too hot will melt filling.
If dough feels too dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk.
Reheat leftovers briefly before serving again.
For extra crunch, sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking.
Add a pinch of nutmeg for depth of spice.
Use baking parchment to avoid sticking.
Keep ingredients measured accurately — precision matters.
Take a deep breath — the aroma is half the joy! 🌿
♻️ 20 Professional Secrets
Use high-quality cinnamon — Ceylon for delicate aroma.
Combine brown and white sugar for a caramelised coating.
Add a spoon of sour cream to the dough for softness.
Proof dough twice for more even texture.
Mix filling until just combined — don’t overbeat.
Chill filling briefly for easy spreading.
Add a spoon of cornflour to filling for stability.
Use unsalted butter for full flavour control.
Brush with milk before baking for extra golden crust.
Bake on middle rack to prevent over-browning.
Let rolls rest 10 minutes before glazing or dusting.
Add chopped nuts or raisins for crunch and flavour.
Use a silicone mat for even heat distribution.
Measure yeast precisely — too much affects taste.
Add a tiny pinch of salt to enhance sweetness.
Always preheat oven — consistent temperature is key.
Grease bowl lightly before first rise to prevent sticking.
Cover rolls with towel while cooling to retain moisture.
Serve slightly warm — never straight from fridge.
Store recipe card — this one becomes a keeper. ✨
🎨 Creative Variations to Try
🍫 Chocolate Delight – Add cocoa to the dough and chocolate chips to the filling.
🍎 Apple Cinnamon Swirls – Add thin apple slices inside before rolling.
🥥 Coconut Cream Rolls – Mix shredded coconut with the filling.
🍋 Lemon Dream – Add zest and a touch of lemon juice to the cream.
🍓 Berry Bliss – Spread strawberry jam before the cream layer.
🌰 Nutty Pleasure – Sprinkle crushed hazelnuts over the filling.
🍯 Salted Caramel Swirls – Add caramel drizzle to the filling before rolling.
☕ Coffee Kiss – Add espresso powder to the cream cheese for aroma.
🍫 Double Chocolate Cinnamon – Brush baked rolls with chocolate glaze.
🍊 Orange & Spice – Add orange zest and a touch of cardamom for warmth.
🎯 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Overheating milk — kills the yeast.
❌ Adding too much flour — makes dough dense.
❌ Not kneading enough — rolls turn heavy.
❌ Skipping proofing — prevents softness.
❌ Overbaking — dries out the rolls.
❌ Underfilling — leads to bland centre.
❌ Overfilling — causes leaks.
❌ Using cold butter — stops dough from mixing smoothly.
❌ Not brushing with butter — loses shine and aroma.
❌ Storing uncovered — rolls dry out quickly.
🌍 Variations Around the World
🇮🇹 Italy: Similar to girelle dolci — sweet brioche spirals.
🇫🇷 France: Cinnamon brioche roulée with vanilla glaze.
🇬🇷 Greece: Filled with honeyed cheese and sprinkled with sesame.
🇪🇸 Spain: Rollitos de canela y queso crema for afternoon merienda.
🇩🇪 Germany: Zimtschnecken mit Käsefüllung — rich and buttery.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Served warm with custard or clotted cream.
🇺🇸 USA: Known as Cinnamon Cream Cheese Rolls — a brunch favourite.
🇸🇪 Sweden: Kanelbullar inspired, with cream filling twist.
🇯🇵 Japan: Light and fluffy milk bread rolls with cream.
🇨🇭 Switzerland: Glazed with honey and dusted with icing sugar.
🍣 Perfect Pairings
☕ Cappuccino – complements spice beautifully.
🍵 Chai Tea – enhances cinnamon aroma.
🥛 Warm Milk – classic comfort pairing.
🍫 Hot Chocolate – pure indulgence.
🍯 Honey Latte – soft and floral harmony.
🍓 Berry Smoothie – balances richness.
🍨 Vanilla Ice Cream – contrasts warmth and chill.
🍎 Apple Cider – adds fruity sparkle.
🍋 Earl Grey Tea – aromatic and refined.
🌿 Herbal Infusion – mint or chamomile for freshness.
❓ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
🍥 Can I prepare the dough the day before? – Yes, refrigerate overnight, then bring to room temperature before baking.
🥛 Can I use instant yeast? – Yes, mix directly into flour and skip activation step.
🍫 Can I freeze baked rolls? – Absolutely, freeze up to one month, thaw before serving.
🍯 Can I make them without eggs? – Replace with 2 tablespoons of yoghurt or milk.
🍥 Can I add raisins or nuts? – Yes, fold them into the dough before rolling.
🌿 How do I make them softer? – Add a tablespoon of sour cream to the dough.
☕ Can I reduce sugar? – Of course, the filling balances sweetness naturally.
🍰 What if the filling leaks? – Chill before baking and seal edges well.
🍫 Can I make them vegan? – Use plant milk, vegan butter, and vegan cream cheese.
🔥 How do I keep them fresh longer? – Wrap in parchment and store airtight.
✨ Conclusion
These rolls are more than a dessert — they’re an embrace in pastry form. 💛 The soft, airy dough melts into the creamy filling, while cinnamon wraps everything in warmth and nostalgia. 🌿 They remind you of home, laughter, and lazy afternoons spent with tea. ☕ Each bite feels like a promise of comfort, golden and sweet, touched by the spice of joy. 🍯 Serve them fresh from the oven and let the aroma fill your heart before it fills the room. ✨ With simple ingredients and a little patience, you create something magical — proof that happiness often rises slowly, bakes gently, and tastes like cinnamon. 🍥
