Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake – A Delicious Twist on a Classic Favorite

When you combine the cozy spice of cinnamon rolls with the rich creaminess of cheesecake, you get a dessert that’s pure magic—Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake. This article takes you from nostalgic memories to expert tips, breaking down every layer of flavor and technique. Whether you’re a dessert die-hard or a curious weekend baker, you’ll find inspiration, hacks, and crave-worthy content here. From understanding why people are pouring heavy cream on cinnamon rolls to the science of freezing cheesecake the right way, you’ll walk away with more than a recipe—you’ll gain a story, a method, and a new favorite.

The Story & Intro – Where Cheesecake Meets Cinnamon Magic

How Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Was Born in My Texas Kitchen

Hi, I’m Carry—and welcome to my kitchen corner of the internet, where cravings meet creativity and every recipe comes with a story.

I was raised in Texas, where family meant food. Sunday mornings smelled like cinnamon rolls, and every birthday dinner ended with a creamy slice of cheesecake. So naturally, this Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake was my way of merging two of my favorite traditions. The first time I made it, my mom took one bite and said, “Now that’s a memory.” That’s all I needed to know—it had to be shared.

But it wasn’t just about layering sweet things on sweet things. I wanted this dessert to tell a story. That meant starting with a vanilla wafer crust kissed with cinnamon, folding cinnamon sugar swirls into a tangy cheesecake base, and crowning the whole thing with a cream cheese frosting that felt like a warm hug. I tested it more times than I’ll admit, but when it finally hit, it hit.

This dessert quickly became one of my top shared recipes, even sparking a mini debate on social about whether it tops the best cheesecake in the world. I’ll let you decide, but I will say this: it’s the kind of slice that makes people pause between bites to say, “Whoa.”

And speaking of whoa—have you seen how folks are leveling up their cinnamon rolls by pouring heavy cream over them? We’ll get into that next. Because whether it’s brunch or dessert, cream + cinnamon = magic.

Why This Dish Isn’t Just Dessert—It’s A Conversation

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake isn’t just about flavors—it’s about feelings. It’s sweet, spiced, creamy, and comforting. It brings up memories while creating new ones. This recipe is perfect for birthdays, brunches, holidays, or just because you need something indulgent and delightful on your plate.

With internal links guiding you to other cheesecake ideas like Strawberry Cheesecake Rolls or the genius behind Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries, you’ll be inspired to experiment beyond the basics. But for now, let’s dig into this sweet cinnamon swirl dream.

Building the Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Base

Crafting the Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Crust

Let’s start from the ground up—literally. The crust is the unsung hero of any good dessert, and in this Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake, it plays a bold and buttery role. Instead of a basic graham cracker base, I go for crushed vanilla wafers blended with cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter. This creates a warm, spiced foundation that mirrors the heart of any great cinnamon roll.

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (201g) vanilla wafer crumbs (or graham cracker crumbs)
• ¼ cup (56g) sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 5 tbsp (70g) butter, melted

Instructions for Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2. Combine wafer crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
3. Stir in the melted butter until well combined.
4. Press the crust mixture into a 9-inch springform pan.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.

This cinnamon-packed base sets the tone for a truly unforgettable Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake.

Creating the Creamy Cheesecake & Cinnamon Swirl Filling

Next, the magic happens in layers. The cheesecake filling blends cream cheese, sour cream, cinnamon, and vanilla—tangy yet sweet, with that classic cheesecake texture. What elevates this Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake is the rich brown sugar and cinnamon swirl that tastes like the center of a freshly baked roll.

Filling Ingredients:

• 24 oz (678g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup (207g) sugar
• 3 tbsp (24g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (230g) sour cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 large eggs, room temperature

Swirl Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (281g) packed light brown sugar
• 5 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup (98g) flour
• ½ cup (112g) melted unsalted butter

Instructions for Filling:

1. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add sugar and flour; mix well.
3. Add sour cream, vanilla, and cinnamon.
4. Mix in eggs one at a time, on low speed.
5. In another bowl, combine swirl ingredients.
6. Pour half the cheesecake batter over the crust. Add dollops of the cinnamon swirl.
7. Repeat layers, then swirl with a knife.
8. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour 15 minutes in a water bath. Let it cool in the oven, then refrigerate for 6+ hours.

This Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake doesn’t just bake—it transforms. It blends cozy spice with creamy texture, like the best of a bakery and Grandma’s kitchen combined.

Frosting, Toppings & Serving Tips

Whipping Up the Cream Cheese Frosting for Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake

Every great Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake needs a finishing touch that pulls all the flavors together. Enter: cream cheese frosting. Unlike a thick buttercream, this one is silky, pourable, and just sweet enough to balance the cinnamon kick. It’s like the icing on a cinnamon roll—except it melts into the cheesecake with every bite.

Frosting Ingredients:

• 2 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 6 tbsp (84g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups (173g) powdered sugar
• 4–5 tbsp heavy cream

Frosting Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
2. Add vanilla extract.
3. Slowly mix in powdered sugar.
4. Add heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches a drizzle-able consistency.
5. Spoon or pipe the frosting over the chilled cheesecake. Let it slightly drip for that bakery-style look.

Using heavy cream adds a luxurious smoothness—similar to why it works so well in cinnamon rolls themselves. Don’t skip it.

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake – A Delicious Twist on a Classic Favorite

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• Author: Carry
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Description

This Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake blends creamy texture and cinnamon spice with a buttery vanilla crust and cream cheese frosting—comfort food perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

1 ½ cups (201g) vanilla wafer crumbs

¼ cup (56g) sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

5 tbsp (70g) melted butter

Filling

24 oz (678g) cream cheese

1 cup (207g) sugar

3 tbsp (24g) flour

1 cup (230g) sour cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp ground cinnamon

4 eggs

Cinnamon Swirl

1 ¼ cups (281g) brown sugar

5 tbsp cinnamon

¾ cup (98g) flour

½ cup (112g) melted butter

Frosting

2 oz cream cheese

6 tbsp (84g) butter

½ tsp vanilla

1½ cups (173g) powdered sugar

4–5 tbsp heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare crust and bake for 10 minutes.

2. Mix cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and flour.

3. Stir in sour cream, vanilla, and cinnamon.

4. Add eggs one at a time.

5. Mix swirl ingredients in separate bowl.

6. Layer half batter, half swirl, repeat, and swirl with knife.

7. Bake in water bath 75 mins. Cool and chill 6+ hours.

8. Mix frosting and drizzle on cooled cheesecake.

Notes

Store in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Use a warm knife for clean slices.

Pairs beautifully with hot coffee or whipped cream.

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Nutrition

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Serving Your Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Like a Pro

Once your cheesecake is chilled and frosted, you’re ready to serve. Use a warm knife (dip it in hot water, wipe dry) to slice cleanly. Serve as-is, or with an extra dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce for drama.

Hosting a brunch? Pair slices with hot coffee and fruit salad. Dessert at dinner? Add a spoon of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Your Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake holds its own, but loves good company.

Storing leftovers? This cake keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days, or you can follow the steps in Freeze Your Cheesecake Like a Pro to prep for a future sweet craving.

And don’t forget: if you loved this, check out other reader favorites like Cheesecake Deviled Strawberries or the ultra-fun Strawberry Cheesecake Rolls.

Storage, Freezing Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake

How Long Can Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Be Stored?

A dessert this special deserves the right handling, especially when you’re prepping ahead or saving leftovers. When stored properly, Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake keeps its rich flavor and creamy texture for days. The key? Chill and seal.

After baking and cooling, store the cheesecake in the fridge—tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will last up to 5 days, and it actually tastes better after a day or two when the cinnamon and cream cheese deepen in flavor.

If you’re wondering how this compares to other long-lasting desserts, just think of it as a step above your average no-bake banana cheesecake. The structure holds up, the swirl stays defined, and the crust remains crisp if you store it right.

Can You Freeze Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake?

Absolutely. Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake freezes like a dream—whether whole or sliced. It’s a great way to prep ahead for holidays, birthdays, or those “just one slice” nights that sneak up on you.

How to Freeze It Right:

1. Chill the cheesecake in the fridge until fully set.
2. Slice or leave whole, then wrap in two layers of plastic wrap and one of foil.
3. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
4. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight. Avoid microwaving—it’ll ruin the texture.

This technique is similar to what I use in my article on how to freeze your cheesecake like a pro, where I break down the best wrapping methods and defrosting tips.

Whether you’re batch-prepping for brunch or sneaking a slice for midnight cravings, freezing gives your Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake real staying power.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of everything we love about comfort food. It’s the cinnamon-spiced memory of Sunday mornings layered with the creamy indulgence of a perfectly baked cheesecake. From its buttery vanilla crust to its rich swirl of brown sugar and cinnamon, every bite brings warmth, sweetness, and nostalgia.

Whether you’re baking it for a brunch crowd or freezing slices to savor solo, this recipe proves that classic flavors can come together in surprising, crave-worthy ways. And with frosting that drips like a dream, it’s guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any table.

If this recipe lit up your kitchen, dive deeper into the cheesecake game with ideas like Sweet Potato Cheesecake or playful spins like Strawberry Cheesecake Rolls.

Because when cheesecake meets cinnamon roll, it’s not just dessert—it’s a memory in the making.

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