Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake

When I first spotted this recipe, all I could think was something like, “Oh my gosh. Must try. Right now.” My two favorite desserts in the world are cinnamon rolls and cheesecake. Put those two scrumptious desserts together? Absolute genius. 

In addition to it being a genius idea, this recipe is fairly simple. The cinnamon rolls are quick and the cheesecake is even quicker. 

So what does this amazing creation taste like? Think a cinnamon roll with tons of thick cream cheese frosting slathered on. It’s incredible.

Warning: You cannot overbake this cheesecake. Trust me from experience, even if the cake is wobbly– take it out of the oven! You will end up with dry cinnamon rolls if you try to cook the cheesecake too much. The cheesecake will harden as it’s cooling.

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
Original recipe on Tastes of Lizzy T

Can you see the pecans in the cinnamon rolls? My oh my was this yummy.

The cinnamon roll “crust.” Make sure to smush the rolls all together.

A must try for cinnamon lovers!

Ingredients

Cinnamon Rolls:
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, room temperature
1 1/2 TB butter, melted
1 1/2 TB coconut oil, melted
2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp instant yeast

1/4 cup + 2 TB brown sugar
1 TB cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cheesecake:
16 oz (2 sticks) cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Cinnamon Filling:
1/2 stick butter, softened
1/4 cup + 2 TB brown sugar
1/2 TB cinnamon

Directions

Add the warm milk and the instant yeast to a stand mixer bowl. (If you are using active dry, then let it sit for about 5 minutes until yeast is activated). Add the egg, butter, coconut oil, salt, sugar and flour. 

With with dough hook, beat on low for 2 minutes until the dough is combined and forms a ball. Then let the dough hook knead the dough on medium speed for about 6-7 minutes. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30-60 minutes.

Roll out the dough into a 10×20 rectangle. Spread 3 tablespoons of butter over it. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the top, then pecans, and roll it up like a jelly roll. Cut it into about 1 inch slices and press them into the bottom of a 10.5 inch springform pan that is sprayed with cooking spray.

For the cheesecake: In a stand mixer, mix the cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, sugar and vanillas. Beat until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.

For the cinnamon filling: In a bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Layer half of the cheesecake batter in the springform pan on top of the pressed cinnamon rolls. Drop teaspoonfuls of the cinnamon filling on top of the cheesecake layer, using about half of the filling. Pour the remaining cheesecake layer over top, and add the last teaspoonfuls of cinnamon filling. Take a butter knife and gently swirl through the cheesecake & cinnamon filling layers.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until the cheesecake is set. Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature, then store it in the fridge.

Enjoy!