Baked Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

If you’ve never made sweet roll-ups before, prepare to become obsessed. These little beauties are rolled like taquitos but filled with lightly sweetened cream cheese, brushed with butter, coated in cinnamon sugar, and baked until golden. No frying, no yeast, no fuss—just pure comfort in every bite.

I make these for Christmas morning, brunch with friends, or lazy Sundays with a side of hot coffee. They also make a ridiculously good after-school treat or midnight snack. (Trust me.)

Why You’ll Love These

• Easy ingredients – pantry staples, no dough-making required
• Make-ahead friendly – assemble and chill, then bake when ready
• No frying! All the crunch, none of the mess
• Customizable – add fruit, nuts, or flavored cream cheese
• Halal-friendly – no alcohol or gelatin, just sweet, simple goodness

Time & Yield

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 18–20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 16 roll-ups
• Calories per roll-up: ~130

Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Roll-Ups:

• 16 slices soft white sandwich bread (crusts trimmed)
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Ingredient tip: Use plain, soft sandwich bread (like brioche or milk bread for a luxe touch). It rolls beautifully!

How to Make Baked Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

1. Prep the Filling

• In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

2. Prep the Bread

• Trim crusts off bread slices.
• Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice until thin and flexible.

3. Fill and Roll

• Spread 1 to 1½ teaspoons of cream cheese filling on one end of each slice.
• Roll tightly like a jelly roll, pressing lightly to seal.
• Repeat with all slices.

4. Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
• Dip each roll-up in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.

5. Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Place roll-ups seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 18–20 minutes, until golden and crispy.

Want extra crisp? Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end—just watch closely!

6. Cool Slightly & Serve

• Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm on their own or with a drizzle of icing or dip of maple syrup.

How to Serve Them

• For brunch: Add to a spread with eggs, fruit, and coffee
• As a dessert: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or chocolate sauce
• Holiday treat: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel for extra flair
• On-the-go snack: Wrap individually in parchment for a sweet lunchbox treat

Tips for Success

1. Use softened cream cheese – it spreads easier and won’t tear the bread.
2. Flatten the bread well – this helps it roll and hold its shape.
3. Seal tightly – press the edges of the bread roll to help keep the filling inside.
4. Bake on parchment paper – prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
5. Eat fresh! These are best warm and crisp, right from the oven.

Variations

• Berry Cream Cheese: Add a spoonful of strawberry jam with the filling
• Nutella Version: Swap cream cheese for chocolate-hazelnut spread
• Apple Pie Roll-Ups: Add finely chopped cooked apples and a pinch of cinnamon
• Pumpkin Spice: Mix canned pumpkin into the cream cheese with pumpkin pie spice
• Savory Twist: Skip cinnamon sugar and fill with herbed cream cheese and turkey!

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Freezer: Freeze after baking; reheat in the oven for 8–10 minutes at 350°F
• Reheat: Warm in toaster oven or air fryer to re-crisp

Make-ahead tip: Assemble and coat in cinnamon sugar, then refrigerate overnight. Bake just before serving!

FAQ

Can I make these with whole wheat bread?
Yes, but make sure it’s soft enough to roll—some whole wheat loaves are a bit too firm.

Can I use flavored cream cheese?
Absolutely! Cinnamon, honey, or berry flavors all work great.

Can I make them dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives—just check for consistency.

Can I fry these instead of baking?
Sure! Shallow fry in oil for 2–3 minutes per side until golden, then drain and roll in cinnamon sugar.

Are these kid-friendly?
1000% yes. Kids love to help roll and dip—and eat!

Final Thoughts

These Baked Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll-Ups are sweet, crispy, creamy, and totally magical. Whether you’re whipping them up for brunch, dessert, or a holiday treat, they deliver cozy vibes and serious flavor with barely any effort.

They’re simple, nostalgic, and just the right kind of sweet—and they disappear fast. You’ve been warned.