Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups

These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups are the most heavenly breakfast treats! People are always surprised to learn that they’re made with white bread that’s flattened with a rolling pin before filling and baking.

These easy filled pastries are crispy on the outside with a crunchy brown sugar-cinnamon-butter crust, and creamy on the inside with a sweetened cream cheese that’s reminiscent of the filling in our Strawberry and Cream Tart recipe.

Each year, our family enjoys these cream cheese roll-ups for a simple Christmas breakfast. I usually make a batch at the end of November and tuck them in the freezer, because they freeze very well.

I might as well confess that I make them with WHITE BREAD — something we don’t normally eat — but once a year we do indulge. You can make these with whatever bread you like, and you’ll find it’s easier to roll up bread that is fresh and soft.

My family loves these cinnamon rollups, and they’ve become part of our holiday tradition. I especially love that they can be made ahead of time, so that Christmas morning can be a sweet, relaxed family time.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty breakfast roll ups:

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 large egg yolk

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

10 slices soft bread of your choice – We use plain white bread, but you can use whatever you like as long as the slices can be rolled.

3/4 cup packed brown sugar – Either light or dark brown sugar works fine.

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted – we like salted butter, but feel free to use unsalted, too.

Equipment Needed

You won’t need any fancy cooking equipment to make this recipe:

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife or kitchen scissors
• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Spreader knife
• Cookie Sheet
• Parchment paper

Step by Step Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Roll bread slices with a rolling pin to flatten slightly.

Trim off the crusts.

Beat the cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl until combined. Divide the mixture among the bread slices and spread evenly.

Roll up slices tightly jelly-roll style, pressing on the edges to seal.

Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a shallow bowl. Dip or generously brush each roll on all sides with the melted butter.

Next, roll in the brown sugar mix.

Arrange the cinnamon rollups on the parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Makes about 10 crispies.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover roll ups tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook at 375 degrees F until lightly browned and hot, about 20 minutes.

How to Freeze Roll Ups

You can also freeze the rollups prior to baking. Store in an airtight container or bag and keep frozen until ready for use.

To cook, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and arrange the crispies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until hot and crispy.

Here’s the printable recipe card:

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups

Eliza Cross

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups are easy breakfast pastries that are perfect for brunch and holidays. They're crispy on the outside with a sweetened cream cheese filling you'll love!

5 from 16 votes

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Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 10 roll ups

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Cutting board
• 1 Sharp knife or kitchen scissors
• Mixing bowls
• 1 Spatula
• 1 Spreader knife
• 1 Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• 1 Rolling Pin

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 10 slices soft bread of your choice
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
• Roll bread slices with a rolling pin to flatten slightly, and trim off the crusts with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors.
• Beat the softened cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl until combined.
• Divide the mixture among the bread slices and spread evenly. Roll up slices tightly jelly-roll style, pressing on the edges to seal.
• Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a shallow bowl. Generously brush each roll on all sides with the melted butter and roll in the brown sugar mix. Arrange the roll ups on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 10 minutes. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes and serve. Makes about 10 pieces.

Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled.

These roll ups freeze really well. Simply freeze them before baking, on the parchment lined baking sheet. Transfer them to a zip lock bag when they're frozen.

To reheat, arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook at 375 degrees F until lightly browned and hot, about 20 minutes.

Store any leftovers tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 20.9gProtein: 2.8gFat: 17.9gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 198mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 13gCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg

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Eliza Cross

Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.

www.happysimpleliving.com/about/