Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Written by
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Kristina Vanni
Updated 06/11/21
Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Kristina Vanni
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Rise: 45 mins
Total: 95 mins
Servings: 8 roll
Yield: 8 rolls
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
427 Calories
21g Fat
55g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 427
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 45mg 15%
Sodium 338mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 55g 20%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 95mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

When the line between breakfast treat and dessert are blurred, you know it's going to be a delicious dish. Imagine your favorite batch of cinnamon rolls, but filled with a cookies and cream swirl, topped with a vanilla creme icing and then sprinkled with more crushed cream filled sandwich cookies on top. Pure brunch heaven.

The best part is, this fun family recipe doesn't involve making a yeast dough from scratch. In fact, the dough for the cinnamon rolls is made from a loaf of frozen bread dough or pizza dough. All you have to do is thaw it out and then roll out the dough into a square.

This is a recipe where kids love to get involved in the cooking process. Younger kids can be in charge of crushing the cookies, while older kids love rolling up the rolls and watching them rise. It's fun for the whole family.

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Ingredients

Cookies and Cream Rolls:

  • 1 (1 pound) frozen bread or pizza dough, thawed to room temperature)

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 cup crushed oreo cookies

Vanilla Cream Icing and Cookie Topping:

  • 4 ounces softened cream cheese

  • 1/4 cup softened butter

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 2 tablespoons crushed oreo cookies

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12×16 inch rectangle.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  3. Brush with the melted butter.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  4. In a small bowl combine the sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  5. Sprinkle over butter, covering the surface within 1/2 inch of the borders.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  6. Evenly distribute the crushed cookies over the dough.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  7. Starting on long side, roll up jelly roll style.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  8. Cut into 8 equal pieces.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  9. Place in an 8- or 9-inch round baking pan that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  10. Cover rolls lightly with plastic wrap that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and let proof or rise until double in size. While the rolls are rising, pre-heat the oven to 350 F.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  11. Remove wrap and bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  12. While the rolls are baking, make the glaze. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  13. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add the milk until the glaze has reached desired consistency.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  14. Remove the baked rolls from the oven and place on a wire rack.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  15. Spread the icing over the top while still warm.

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

  16. Sprinkle with remaining crushed cookies. Serve warm and enjoy!

    Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

    Kristina Vanni

How do you keep cinnamon rolls from getting hard?

There are two reasons cinnamon rolls become hard: a certain ratio of yeast to flour and over-baking. Since this recipe uses a pre-made bread dough, you don't have to worry about the ratios of flour to yeast. When baking the cinnamon rolls, setting a timer and removing them immediately after cooking helps prevent over-baking and getting to too hard.

Storage

Any leftover cinnamon rolls should be cooled then wrapped in plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container to keep them fresh and soft. You can also freeze the plain un-iced rolls.

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