Classic Cinnamon Rolls with Biscoff Filling and Cream Cheese Frosting
Classic Cinnamon Rolls with Biscoff Filling and Cream Cheese Frosting is a medium American recipe that serves 12. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by NYT Cooking on YouTube.
Prep: 45 min | Cook: 30 min | Total: 1 hr 35 min
Cost: $11.50 total, $0.96 per serving
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted, room temperature)
- 1 cup Whole Milk (divided: 1/3 cup hot, 2/3 cup cold)
- 20 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (12 Tbsp for filling, 8 Tbsp for dough, room temperature for dough, softened for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast (can use instant yeast instead)
- 0.25 cup Granulated Sugar (for dough)
- 0.5 cup Demerara Sugar (for filling, adds caramel flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon (freshly ground for best flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 3 pieces Large Eggs (cold, straight from fridge)
- 1 cup Biscoff Cookies (finely ground in food processor)
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese (room temperature, softened)
- 0.5 cup Powdered Sugar (sifted)
Instructions
Scald Milk
In a saucepan, heat 1 cup whole milk over medium heat until just below boiling – you’ll see a ring of tiny bubbles forming under the surface. Hold for about 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Time: PT5M
Create Flour‑Milk Roux
Measure 1/3 cup of the hot milk into a measuring cup. In the same saucepan, combine the remaining 2/3 cup cold milk with 1/4 cup all‑purpose flour. Whisk vigorously to eliminate lumps, then return to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes a thick, pasty consistency that holds its shape on the whisk.
Time: PT5M
Cool the Mixture
Add 1/4 cup ice‑cold water to the hot roux, then crack in 3 cold eggs. Whisk briefly to combine. Chill the bowl in the refrigerator for 5–10 minutes until the mixture is close to room temperature.
Time: PT10M
Combine Dry Ingredients
In the stand mixer bowl, add 4 cups all‑purpose flour and 1 tsp active dry yeast. Mix on low speed for 1 minute to distribute the yeast.
Time: PT2M
First Mix – Hydrate Flour
Pour the cooled milk‑egg mixture into the flour‑yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until all liquid is absorbed and the dough comes together (about 2–3 minutes).
Time: PT3M
Rest the Dough
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 5 minutes. This allows the flour to fully hydrate.
Time: PT5M
Add Sugar and Salt
Uncover the dough and add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp kosher salt. Mix on low until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl (about 3–4 minutes).
Time: PT4M
Incorporate Butter
Add the 8 tbsp (1 stick) cold, cubed unsalted butter a few pieces at a time, mixing on low after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Time: PT5M
First Bulk Fermentation (Room Temp)
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature until it’s about 50 % larger (≈1 hour, depending on kitchen temperature).
Time: PT60M
Cold Fermentation
Place the risen dough, still in the greased bowl, into the refrigerator and chill overnight (≈8 hours). This long, cold rest improves flavor and makes the dough easier to roll.
Time: PT8H
Prepare Biscoff Filling
In a food processor, pulse 1 cup Biscoff cookies until a fine crumb. Transfer to a bowl, add 0.5 cup Demerara sugar, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, and 12 tbsp (1½ sticks) softened unsalted butter. Mix with a spatula until a smooth, spreadable paste forms.
Time: PT10M
Prep Baking Pan
Butter a 13 × 9‑inch aluminum pan. Line the bottom and long sides with parchment paper, then butter the parchment as well. Also butter a sheet of foil the size of the pan – this will cover the rolls halfway through baking.
Time: PT5M
Roll Out the Dough
Remove the chilled dough from the fridge. On a lightly floured surface, press it into a rectangle about ¼‑⅜ inch thick, roughly 12‑13 inches wide by 20 inches long.
Time: PT10M
Spread Filling
Evenly spread the Biscoff filling over the dough, leaving a small border (≈½ inch) on three sides.
Time: PT5M
Form the Roll
Starting from the long edge nearest you, gently roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal.
Time: PT5M
Cut Rolls
Using a piece of dental floss or a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal pieces (≈2 inches each). Place the rolls seam‑side down in the prepared pan in a 3 × 4 grid.
Time: PT7M
Second Proof
Cover the pan with the buttered foil and let the rolls rise at room temperature until they’re almost doubled in size (≈45 minutes).
Time: PT45M
Bake – Covered
Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Place the pan in the oven, still covered with foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: 350°F
Bake – Uncovered
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the tops are light golden brown.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool Slightly
Remove the pan from the oven and let the rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Time: PT10M
Make Cream Cheese Frosting
In a bowl, beat together 4 oz softened cream cheese, 0.5 cup powdered sugar, and 6 tbsp room‑temperature butter until smooth and pale. Whisk for an additional minute to incorporate air.
Time: PT5M
Frost the Rolls
Spread the cream cheese frosting over the warm rolls, allowing it to melt slightly into the crevices.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 250
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 35 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten, Eggs
Last updated: March 15, 2026





