There’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon and warm dough wafting through the house on a slow morning. I served this when my neighbor stayed over, and she asked how it tasted so bright and soft at the same time. I told her I’d share the recipe, and now I’m sharing it with you.
The “secret” to that brightness? A hint of fresh lemon zest tucked into the cream cheese filling—it cuts through the richness and makes every bite feel light despite the decadence.
Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 35 mins | Servings: 8-10
Ingredients
The Foundation:
- 2 cans (12.4 oz each) refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with included icing)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
The Bright Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- The Secret: 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest