This cinnamon roll cheesecake tastes just like a homemade cinnamon roll! It has a graham cracker crust, baked creamy cheesecake, and three layers of cinnamon filling. The cheesecake is topped with a glaze and mini cinnamon rolls. This a must bake for the holidays.
This cinnamon roll cheesecake honestly tastes just like a homemade cinnamon roll in cheesecake form. There are so many layers of cinnamon filling!
This cheesecake is creamy, dense, and fluffy all at the same time.
If you are looking for more cinnamon roll recipes, try Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, chocolate chip cinnamon roll cake, and cookies and cream cinnamon rolls
Jump to:
- Step By Step Recipe Video
- Why You Will Love This Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Recipe
- Ingredient Notes for Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
- Ingredient Substitutions
- Step By Step Instructions: Graham Cracker Crust and Cheesecake Batter
- Step By Step Instructions- Assembly
- Expert Baking Tips
- FAQ
- Recipe Variations
- Special Tools
- Storing and Freezing
- 📖 Recipe
Step By Step Recipe Video
Why You Will Love This Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Recipe
- Creamy texture- This is the creamiest cheesecake! I have tips below on how to make it so creamy.
- Graham cracker crust- This cheesecake has a classic graham cracker crust.
- Baked cheesecake- The cheesecake is baked. It is best chilled overnight.
- Cinnamon filling- There are three layers of cinnamon filling.
- Glaze- There is a glaze on top of this cheesecake.
Ingredient Notes for Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
- Room temperature dairy ingredients- Pull these out 2 hours before baking.
- Graham crackers- This uses two full packets of graham crackers.
- Brown sugar- I used light brown sugar.
- Cream cheese- Use full fat cream cheese.
- Sour cream- Use full fat sour cream.
- Heavy cream- You can use heavy cream or heavy whipping cream.
- Mini cinnamon rolls- I got these at my local grocery store.
- Powdered sugar- Make sure to sift it to avoid a gritty glaze.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Graham crackers- You can also use teddy grahams, nilla wafers, or digestive biscuits.
- Sour cream- You can substitute greek yogurt.
- Milk- You can use whatever milk you would like.
- Dairy free- You can use your favorite dairy free options for this recipe!
- Gluten free- I haven't tested this gluten free. Let me know if you do.
Step By Step Instructions: Graham Cracker Crust and Cheesecake Batter
Here are the steps to make and bake this cheesecake.
STEP 1: Graham cracker crust. Blend the graham crackers using a food processor into a fine crumb. Mix the graham cracker crumbs with butter and brown sugar in a medium bowl.
Press the crust into a 9 inch springform pan using the bottom of the measuring cup.
Make sure to line the bottom of the pan with a 9 inch parchment paper circle. Spray it well with baking spray.
STEP 2: Bake the crust. Bake the crust for 12 minutes. This prevents a soggy crust.
STEP 3: Cheesecake batter. Beat the cream cheese and sugar together in a large bowl on high speed. Then, add in the sour cream, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Next, add in the eggs on low speed.
You can use a stand mixer or an electric mixer (hand mixer). Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula.
STEP 4: Cinnamon Filling. Mix the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, flour, and melted butter in a small bowl.
Step By Step Instructions- Assembly
STEP 1: Pour the cheesecake batter. Pour a third of the cheesecake mixture on top of the crust. Sprinkle a third of the cinnamon mixture on the cheesecake. Repeat with the rest of the layers.
STEP 2: Swirl the cinnamon filling. Use a toothpick to swirl the cinnamon roll filling on top of the cheesecake.
STEP 3: Bake the cheesecake. Use a water bath and bake for 75-95 minutes. This cheesecake takes a little longer to bake with the cinnamon filling. Bake until the edges are set and the middle has a slight jiggle.
STEP 4: Chill the cheesecake. Chill the cheesecake overnight or 6 hours. Cover the whole cheesecake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
STEP 5: Pour the glaze. Drizzle the glaze on top of the chilled cheesecake.
Optional: Top with mini cinnamon buns.
Expert Baking Tips
Here are all my tips to get the best cheesecake consistency with no cracks.
First, all of the ingredients need to be pulled out 2 hours before. This part is so important to get a creamy consistency.
Beat the cream cheese on high for 1 minute. Set the timer and let it beat. Then, add in the sugar and beat again.
After every single step, scrape the bowl. This helps to make sure everything is combined, and no chunks of cream cheese remain at the bottom.
Then, add in the wet ingredients. Beat on high until very creamy.
This next part is where it needs to use as little air as possible. Add in the eggs and mix until just combined.
Too much air will cause the cheesecake to rise fast in the oven and then collapse, which causes cracks.
Water Bath
Use a water bath. This is very important!
I tried putting a roasting pan of water in the bottom rack with cheesecake above. The cheesecake dried out because the moisture wasn't surrounding it the same.
Use one of the 2 water bath techniques that I mention in the recipe.
FAQ
Yes you can. After the cheesecake chills for at least 6 hours, take it out of the pan. Then, wrap tightly and freeze up to 30 days. Thaw for 1-2 hours before decorating and enjoying.
Yes you can. Divide the recipe in half and follow this cookie dough cheesecake bars recipe.
I have not recipe tested this. If you make this with an egg substitute, let me know.
Recipe Variations
- You can skip the vanilla glaze to save time.
- You can make mini cinnamon rolls if you want to make the decoration at home.
Special Tools
- Springform pan: I use a good quality 9-inch springform pan. Sometimes I will use an 8-inch springform pan if I want a taller cheesecake.
- Parchment paper circles: I used 8-inch parchment paper circles for the bottom of the pan. I love to use the premade circles, so I don't have to cut it out of regular parchment paper.
- Baking spray: I use the nonstick spray that has flour in it.
- Offset spatula: I use this to easily spread the frosting or fillings.
Storing and Freezing
Store this cinnamon roll cheesecake in the fridge in an airtight container. It will last up to 5 days.
Freezing
Freeze this cheesecake into individual slices. Wrap each slice in cling wrap and store in an airtight container. Freeze up to 30 days. Thaw for 1 hour before enjoying.
Other Cheesecake Recipe To Try
Try These Cinnamon Rolls
- Chocolate cinnamon rolls
- Cookie dough cinnamon rolls
- Carrot cake cinnamon rolls
- Homemade cinnamon rolls
- Apple cinnamon rolls
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📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 ½ cups Graham cracker crumbs fine crumb
- â…› cup Brown sugar packed light or dark
- 9 tablespoon Unsalted butter melted
Cheesecake
- 24 oz Cream cheese room temperature
- ¾ cup White granulated sugar
- ½ cup Sour cream room temperature
- ¼ cup Heavy cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
- 3 Large eggs room temperature
Cinnamon Filling
- 1 ¼ cup Brown sugar packed light or dark
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- â…“ cup Unsalted butter melted
Glaze
- 1 cup Powdered sugar sifted
- 2 tablespoon Milk
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray a 9 inch springform pan with baking non-stick spray. Line the bottom with a 9 inch parchment circle and spray again. Set aside.
- Use a food processor/blender to blend graham crackers into a fine crumb. In a small bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix with a fork.â…› cup Brown sugar, 9 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- Pour crumbs into the springform pan. Line the bottom and the side of the pan with the crumbs. Go halfway up the side. Compact the crust using the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
Cheesecake
- Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese on high for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl. Add in the sugar and beat again for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl.24 oz Cream cheese, ¾ cup White granulated sugar
- Add in sour cream, heavy cream, and vanilla. Mix until combined on high. Add in the eggs one at a time. Mix on low until just combined. Make sure to scrape the bowl, so it is all combined.½ cup Sour cream, ¼ cup Heavy cream, 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract, 3 Large eggs
Cinnamon Filling
- In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and melted butter together until wet and combined. Use your fingers to break away any clumps.1 ¼ cup Brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon, ½ cup All-purpose flour, ⅓ cup Unsalted butter
- Pour a third of the cheesecake batter into the pan. Sprinkle a third of the cinnamon filling on top. Pour another third of batter on top. Sprinkle more cinnamon filling. Top with the rest of the cheesecake batter and the cinnamon filling. Use a toothpick to swirl in the cinnamon. Be very gentle to not to disturb the other layers.
- Prepare a water bath. Do 1 of the 2 options. You will need hot boiling water and a large roasting pan.1. Place the springform pan into a 10 inch cake pan. Place both in the roasting pan. Fill with hot water until it goes up halfway up the cake pan.2. Wrap the springform pan twice tightly in foil. Place the pan in the roasting. Fill it up halfway with hot water.
- Bake for 75-95 minutes. The cheesecake is done baking when the edges are set and the middle has a slight jiggle. If it jiggles too much, bake for 10 minutes and check again.
- Turn off the oven, crack open the door, and let it sit for 30 minutes to cool down slowly. Then, transfer pan to the cooling rack. Let it cool completely.
- Wrap in foil and chill for 6 hours or overnight.
Glaze
- Take the cheesecake out of the pan and remove the parchment circle. In a small bowl, sift the powdered sugar and whisk in the milk. It should be a thin consistency.1 cup Powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon Milk
- Drizzle on top of the cheesecake. Optional: Get mini cinnamon rolls from the store and top with those.
Alice says
I plan on making these into bars and see your recommendation to follow the cookie dough cheesecake bar recipe. Would you recommend also using a water bath and cooling slowly to prevent cracks or is it unnecessary when making into bars? Excited to try these!
Stephanie Rutherford says
Luckily you won't need a water bath for cheesecake bars. Cooling slowly I do recommend.
Michele says
I need this to feed about 20 people, and would like leftovers. Do you recommend making 2 separate cakes, or 1 larger rectangular with parchment?
Stephanie Rutherford says
I would do two separate cheesecakes.
Nichole says
My son and I make a lot of cheesecakes so we were excited to try a new one. We didn't bother with the water bath.. to be fair we never do. We just put the spring form pan on a cookie sheet. Turned out fantastic!!
Hannah says
The recipe was easy to follow, and it turned out exactly how it should have. I cooked it for 85 mins and that was perfect. Definitely make sure its cooled completely, the chilling it in the fridge was a huge factor in the texture of the cheesecake. My husband is a cheesecake snob, and he loved it. So final thoughts- 10/10 would recommend. And I will for SURE be making this again!
Brittaney says
I’ve made this cheesecake 3 times now and it is absolutely delicious. It has been a hit at every family function and I’ve been told that it is the best cheesecake that they have ever had! The only thing I change rather than the mini cinnamon rolls on top, I will make regular cinnamon rolls that I bake with either milk or heavy cream in the pan & add a mixture of butter, cinnamon and sugar. After they bake, they will so fluffy & ooey gooey, I then chop them into small pieces to decorate the cheesecake with ( I can’t find the mini cinnamon rolls at my grocery store— that’s why I switched it up a little). Nonetheless, thank you for this recipe!
Rachael Libero says
I'm excited to try this reci have family coming and it will be a great treat. Funny enough my older son is someone who showed me this and sent it to me. So now everything's being planned around my cheap day so that way I can enjoy it and be spoiled with some of the food too so hopefully that goes well fingers crossed Your recipes are amazing. I don't know how to cake in the oven I'm glad that I stumbled across yours or let me say my son did because I have wanted to learn like that all I know how to do is I'm everything in a bowl shove it in the freezer So we shall say but I would like to see Maybe a twist on French toast chocolate bars or the chocolate bars that have chocolate on the outside and when you buy it it's that wafer and peanut butter on the inside but the wafers could be cinnamon toast or cinnamon sugar I don't know just some random ideas
Skylar F says
Ive never made a cheesecake before, and I'm not super familiar with baking rules. If I were to make two at a time, would the baking time change significantly?
Stephanie Rutherford says
I really recommend not baking 2 cheesecakes at a time. Doing two cheesecakes at a time, there wouldn't be enough moisture for two. It will cause dry and cracked cheesecake.
Jada says
Hi I’ve never made a cheesecake before, when you say cover in foil in the second option of the water bath are we covering the pan entirely? Like the top too no gaps at all?
Stephanie Rutherford says
So you want to wrap the bottom and the sides of the pan with the foil tightly. The top should have no foil. The idea is just trying to protect the pan from getting any water in it.
Jada says
Thank you! Do the eggs need to be room temperature as well? Or just the milk/heavy cream/cream cheese
Jada says
Lol never mind just saw it in the ingredients list !
bakingdancer says
I made this and the recipe is a keeper. Because I happen to like cinnamon I added extra - a half teaspoon of cinnamon to the crust and I used two tablespoons in the filling instead of the one tablespoon in the recipe.
Alyssa says
Turned out really good, especially for my first cheesecake!
Leslie says
This honestly tastes just like a cinnamon roll!
Roger says
Cinnamon rolls and cheesecake together is such an inspired idea. I can't stop eating it! Highly recommend.
Candice says
this was a HIT at Thanksgiving! my first time making a cheesecake and it turned out great!
Heather says
Breakfast and dessert in the same dish! Incredibly good.
Amy C says
This recipe is a must try! Irresistible. Perfect for the upcoming holidays.
Anna says
Hi Stephanie,
Could you use this recipe in a muffin tin and make mini cheesecakes?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Yes you can! Divide the crust recipe in half. Divide the filling and cheesecake batter into thirds!