Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
If you love easy cream cheese treats, check out this Strawberry Cream Cheese Roll‑Ups inspiration on Pinterest. It’s a crispy‑sweet brunch dream in under 30 minutes. 🍓
That’s exactly what happened the first time I made these Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Roll-Ups. They’re golden, crispy, and sweet on the outside with warm, creamy goodness on the inside.Also, if you’re into cream cheese + brunch, don’t miss our Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe it’s like dessert-for-breakfast magic. 🥕🥞
The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients you already have at home white bread, cream cheese, a little sugar, cinnamon, and butter. That’s it. No fancy baking skills, no long prep time. Just good old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing deliciousness.

These dreamy roll-ups have been taking over TikTok, brunch boards, and even lazy Sunday mornings everywhere. And honestly? They deserve the spotlight. You can whip them up in under 30 minutes, and they’re so versatile.For more fruity inspiration, this Churro Cheesecake Recipe is trending for a reason – it hits that crispy-sweet-crave spot too. 🤤 And drizzle with caramel.
Oh! And if cozy bakes are your jam, don’t miss these Quick Maple-Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze. They’re fall in a pan No yeast needed! Need a grab-and-go breakfast? Pop them in the air fryer and thank me later. 🙌
Whether you’re feeding picky kids, impressing guests, or just treating yourself, these cream cheese roll-ups always come through. They’re the kind of cozy comfort food that hits every time.
So if you’ve never tried them, now’s the time. I’m walking you through the easiest step-by-step below with plenty of fun twists you can try too. Your breakfast just got a glow-up. ✨
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright friend, here’s what you’ll need to make these cream cheese roll-ups happen and trust me, it’s the easiest grocery list ever. You probably have everything in your pantry and fridge already!
✨ Basic Ingredients:
- White sandwich bread – Soft and squishy is best! Trim the crusts so it rolls flat like magic.
- Cream cheese (softened) – Regular, full-fat, or whipped all work great. Just make sure it’s softened so it spreads easily.
- Granulated sugar – For that sweet inner filling and the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Ground cinnamon – Brings that warm churro flavor that makes you do a little shimmy.
- Unsalted butter (melted) – Helps make the outer layer crisp and golden while sealing in the good stuff.
That’s your core five. Yep only five ingredients for something this ridiculously good. 🤯
🧁 Optional Add-Ins (AKA how to level-up your roll-ups)
- Vanilla extract – Just a few drops into the cream cheese for a richer flavor.
- Strawberry or raspberry jam – Swirl a little inside each roll before baking. SO GOOD.
- Mini chocolate chips – Mix into the cream cheese filling for a chocolatey twist.
- Pumpkin pie spice – Replace some cinnamon during fall for cozy autumn vibes.
- Crushed nuts (like pecans) – Sprinkle inside or on top after baking for crunch.
These are totally optional, but if you’re making a brunch platter or want to impress guests, they add flavor and flair with zero extra effort. 🙌
Still exploring? Check out all our Cream Cheese Recipes for ideas that span from sweet to savory. 🍴 and always delicious. Don’t overthink it just get rolling!
Step-by-Step Instructions

You won’t believe how easy these cream cheese roll-ups are. If you can spread butter and roll up a sock, you’re qualified. 😂
Here’s how to make them from start to finish:
1. Prep the Bread
Start by trimming the crusts off your white bread slices. You want smooth, clean edges.
Then, grab a rolling pin (or a glass) and flatten each slice until it’s thin like a little bread pancake. This helps them stay rolled tight and crisp up perfectly.
Pro tip: Don’t skip this step or they’ll puff up weirdly in the oven!
2. Mix the Filling
In a small bowl, mix your softened cream cheese with 1–2 tablespoons of sugar. Optional: Add a splash of vanilla extract if you’re feeling fancy.
Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture across each flattened slice of bread don’t overdo it or it’ll leak out during baking.
3. Roll ‘Em Up
Roll each slice tightly, jelly-roll style. Keep the seam-side down so they hold together.
In a separate bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon for coating.
4. Coat in Butter + Cinnamon Sugar
Dip each roll-up in melted butter, then gently roll it through the cinnamon sugar mix until fully coated.
Optional: Double coat for extra crunch. No regrets.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection
Place roll-ups seam-side down on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Let cool slightly (they’re HOT inside), then serve warm.
No deep-frying. No flipping. Just roll, coat, bake, and bask in the cinnamon-sugar glory. 🙌
Easy Customizations You’ll Love
Okay, so the classic cinnamon sugar version? Total rockstar. ⭐ But once you’ve made it once (or… four times 😅), it’s time to mix it up a little! Whether you’re looking for a dietary tweak or just love experimenting in the kitchen, these easy variations will make your cream cheese roll-ups feel brand new every time.
💫 Go Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free
- Gluten-Free Bread – Use soft, gluten-free sandwich bread and follow the same rolling method. Tip: Microwave it for 10 seconds before rolling to make it more flexible.
- Dairy-Free Cream Cheese – Brands like Kite Hill or Miyoko’s work perfectly here. You can even use a dairy-free butter alternative for coating.
🍓 Get Fruity With It
- Add a layer of strawberry jam or raspberry preserves inside with the cream cheese for instant cheesecake vibes.
- Thinly slice bananas, strawberries, or blueberries and layer them before rolling. Kids LOVE this one.
- Feeling bold? Swirl in a spoonful of lemon curd for a zesty punch.
🎃 Make it Seasonal
- Fall? Add pumpkin puree + pumpkin pie spice to your cream cheese.
- Winter holidays? Mix in crushed peppermint and top with chocolate drizzle.
- Valentine’s Day? A dab of cherry pie filling = romantic AF.
🧄 Want Savory?
Oh yes, it works. Skip the sugar and go for:
- Garlic herb cream cheese with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan
- Spinach and feta for a brunchy twist
- Or my fave: everything bagel seasoning with plain cream cheese
Roll-ups are a blank canvas so paint with flavor!

Serving Suggestions
So your cream cheese roll-ups are baked, golden, and making your kitchen smell like a cinnamon sugar daydream… now what?
Let’s serve them up right, shall we?
🥄 Dips, Drizzles & Dustings
These roll-ups are already amazing, but a little topping love takes them next level:
- Maple syrup – drizzle lightly or serve on the side for dipping (like French toast sticks!)
- Whipped cream or vanilla yogurt – makes it feel like dessert-for-breakfast 😍
- Nutella – just say yes.
- Caramel sauce – perfect if you added apple slices or pumpkin spice.
- Powdered sugar dusting – classic bakery look with zero effort.
🥂 Brunch-Board Worthy
If you’re making these for a crowd or a special brunch moment, try this:
- Looking for another brunch centerpiece? These Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Oat Bars are fresh, zesty, and look amazing on a board. 💙🍋
- Or serve up something soft and nostalgic with our Cream Cheese Banana Bread it’s cozy, sweet, and smells like home.
- Add berries, orange slices, and a small bowl of dip
- Sprinkle everything with cinnamon sugar right before serving
It looks fancy, but it’s secretly just super easy and fun!
☕ Drink Pairings
Complete your morning moment with a cozy drink:
- Classic coffee or cold brew
- Cinnamon latte or chai tea (so on theme!)
- Warm milk with honey – especially good for kids
- Iced matcha – balances the sweet roll-ups beautifully
Whether you’re brunching solo, feeding kids, or sharing with friends, these roll-ups fit every mood and table.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Okay real talk: These roll-ups are at peak deliciousness fresh outta the oven. BUT! If you wanna save time or meal prep a little sweetness for the week, here’s how to do it without sacrificing the crisp-crunchy magic.
🕓 Make-Ahead Tips
You can totally assemble these bad boys ahead of time:
- Roll and coat them (but don’t bake yet)
- Place them seam-side down on a parchment-lined tray
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap
- Pop them in the fridge overnight
In the morning, just bake like normal no stress, no sticky counters before coffee. 🙌
🧊 Can I Freeze Them?
Yes you can! After baking, let them cool completely. Then:
- Wrap each roll-up in foil or plastic wrap
- Store in a freezer-safe bag
- Freeze for up to 2 months
To reheat: Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes from frozen. Air fryer works great too!
🥴 But What If They Get Soggy?
If they go soft in the fridge, just reheat them in the oven or toaster oven (never the microwave) to bring back that crispiness. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
What to Avoid (So They Don’t Flop)
As dreamy and easy as these cream cheese roll-ups are… they can go sideways if you’re not careful. Don’t worry though I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. 😉
Here’s what not to do:
❌ Overfilling with Cream Cheese
Tempting, I know. But too much filling = leaks, messes, and soggy centers. Stick to a thin, even layer.
❌ Skipping the Bread Rolling
If you don’t flatten the bread, it won’t roll well and may unravel or puff awkwardly in the oven. Take the 2 minutes it’s worth it!
❌ Using Cold Cream Cheese
Cold cream cheese is hard to spread and can tear your bread. Always let it soften first, or microwave it for 10–15 seconds.
❌ Not Baking Long Enough
Underbaked roll-ups will be pale and chewy, not golden and crispy. Bake until you see that beautiful browning.
❌ Microwaving Leftovers
I get it, you’re in a rush. But microwaving ruins the texture and makes them rubbery. Use a toaster oven, air fryer, or regular oven to re-crisp.
Trust me, once you make them once or twice, they’re basically foolproof. But keep these tips in mind so every batch turns out café-worthy. 😎
Part 8: My Family’s Favorite Variations (200 words)
We’ve officially entered “make these every weekend” territory. And once that happens, you gotta get creative! Here are our go-to family-approved spins on the classic:
🥜 PB&J Cheesecake Roll-Ups
This one’s my son’s favorite (okay, and mine too):
Spread cream cheese mixed with a spoonful of peanut butter and swirl in your favorite jam. Roll, coat, bake and BOOM. It’s a warm, crispy PB&J cheesecake dream.
🍓 Strawberry Shortcake Style
Thinly slice fresh strawberries and layer them with cream cheese and a drizzle of honey or strawberry jam. Add a touch of vanilla to the cream cheese for extra dessert-y vibes. After baking, serve with whipped cream? Heaven.
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Swirl
Perfect for cozy fall mornings:
Want more fall favorites? Try this cozy Pumpkin Banana Loaf Recipe perfect with a cup of coffee and your favorite blanket. 🍂
Like fruit and cream cheese? Then you’ll love these Peach Dessert Cream Cheese Bakes like summer in every bite. 🍑 One weekend we even tried mini apple pie filling + cream cheese and WOW. The possibilities are endless go wild and find your family’s favorite too. 💛
Final Thoughts + Let’s Get Baking!
There’s something magical about these cream cheese roll-ups. Maybe it’s the warm, crispy outside. Maybe it’s the melty, sweet middle. Or maybe it’s just how ridiculously easy they are to make and how happy they make people. 💛
In our house, they’ve become a comfort food staple. Rainy days? Make roll-ups. Sleepovers? Roll-ups. Random Wednesday when you need a win? Roll. Ups.
And honestly? You don’t need an excuse. You just need bread, cream cheese, cinnamon sugar, and like… 20 minutes. You’ve got this.
So go ahead bake up a batch, try a fun variation, and make them your own. Whether you’re feeding kiddos, treating yourself, or showing off at brunch, these little roll-ups are always a hit.

Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Roll-Ups (Baked Breakfast Treat!)
These crispy baked cream cheese roll-ups are filled with sweet, creamy goodness and coated in cinnamon sugar. They taste like churro meets cheesecake toast—and they’re ready in under 30 minutes! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or sweet snacking. Crowd-pleaser guaranteed.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 roll-ups
Ingredients
🥄 Ingredients:
8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
6 oz cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp granulated sugar (for filling)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Optional Add-ins:
Strawberry jam, chocolate chips, pumpkin puree, fruit slices
Instructions
👣 Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Flatten each slice of bread with a rolling pin.
In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, 3 tbsp sugar, and vanilla.
Spread a thin layer of the mixture onto each bread slice.
Roll up tightly, seam-side down.
In a separate bowl, mix cinnamon and ½ cup sugar.
Dip each roll-up in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Place roll-ups on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake 15–18 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Let cool slightly and serve warm!
Notes
🗒️ Notes:
Don’t overfill or cream cheese may leak.
Best served warm, but can be made ahead and baked fresh.
Reheat in oven or air fryer for crisp texture—avoid microwave.
Try savory fillings like garlic herb cream cheese for a twist!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian