Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls - No Knead (2024)

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These no knead cookies and cream cinnamon rolls are fluffy, gooey, packed with oreos and topped with a cream cheese frosting. Oreos (or your favourite chocolate sandwich cookie) are added into the dough, the cinnamon filling, and the topping for ultimate cookies and cream flavour!I've included an overnight option to make your mornings a breeze.

The no knead dough is so easy to make. It’s my go to no knead enriched dough recipe with oreos added right in! They give it a beautiful subtle chocolate flavour. It's my favourite dough to make because you just throw everything into a bowl and give it a good mix with a large spoon or your hands. Then you let it rise. After that you just shape the rolls and you're all set. Seriously, the best dough ever.

The best thing about the dough is the less you handle it, the fluffier and softer the cookies and cream cinnamon rolls will be! How's that for foolproof? I use this dough in Twisted Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls – No Knead, and Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls – No Knead.

Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls - No Knead (1)

The key to gooey success

The simple key to getting the ultimate gooey and fluffy cinnamon rolls is - heavy cream! Pour heavy cream (I used whipping cream) over the rolls right before baking. The cream will help them steam making them super fluffy and will mix with the cinnamon sugar to create gooey bottoms. Don’t use milk - it just won’t work out the same! For a dairy free version you can use coconut or cashew cream.

Overnight option

To make your life even easier, I've included an overnight option for these cookies and cream cinnamon rolls! Prepare the rolls the night before and stop before letting the assembled rolls rise (second rise). Wrap baking tray tightly to cover and immediately place in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Once you are ready to bake them, let them come to room temperature and rise to fill out any gaps in the pan. Pour with cream and bake according to the rest of the instructions.

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Key ingredients

Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredient substitutions and baking tips!

Oreos: Cookies and cream calls for - you guessed it, oreos! Use your favourite oreo flavour or other similar sandwich cookie. Golden oreos will work great for a vanilla alternative. I crushed the oreos in a food processor but you can easily chop them up on a cutting board or crush them in a large plastic bag with a rolling pin.

Active dry yeast: You could use instant dry yeast but I prefer the flavour of active dry yeast. You only need 1 packet or 7 grams.

All purpose flour: Weigh the flour to get the most accurate results. If you don’t have a scale, measure properly by stirring the bag and spooning gently into a measuring cup. Scrape the excess off the top with the flat edge off a knife without packing it into the cup.

Butter: Use a good quality real better for the best flavour and results. You want it to be very soft – almost melted for both the dough and filling. That way it will incorporate very easily.

Eggs: Have the eggs at room temperature so that the dough rises better.

Milk: Use your milk of choice for the dough and glaze. I’ve tried all kinds of milks and they all work great! Make sure that the milk is slightly warmed.

Heavy cream: Heavy cream is essential for creating cinnamon rolls that are gooey on the bottom and fluffy inside. Whipping cream works great! Do not use anything with less fat content, you’ll end up with soggy rolls that aren’t gooey. If you don’t do well with dairy you can use coconut cream or cashew cream instead.

Icing sugar: These rolls are dusted with powdered sugar and it also goes into the glaze. Powdered sugar is the same as icing sugar.

Brown sugar: Brown sugar goes into the filling to make the perfect gooey cinnamon filling. I use an old fashioned, medium brown sugar for the best flavour (not too mild, not too dark). Don’t replace it with granulated sugar. Your rolls will be bland.

Ground cinnamon: The star of the show! Don’t use very old or expired cinnamon because it won’t give the rolls that same burst of flavour.

Rolls

  1. Combine warm water, 1 teaspoon sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Stir until yeast dissolves. Let it sit for about 5 minutes so that a foam starts to form on top. If a foam doesn’t form in 10 minutes, discard and try again with another packet of yeast.
  2. In a large bowl combine flour, salt, and stir. Make a well in the middle and add the crushed oreos, butter, eggs, vanilla, milk, and yeast mixture.
  3. Mix until a cohesive dough forms. Cover the bowl with a dish cloth and place in a warm place (see notes) to rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Butter a 9”x12” baking pan while it rises and prepare the cinnamon filling: Combine cinnamon, sugar, and butter in a medium bowl and mix well to combine. Have the butter very soft, almost melted to blend easier. Set aside to use later.
  4. Punch down the dough and transfer onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 18” by 24”.
  5. Spread the cinnamon filling on top of the dough, leaving a 1” border on the top edge. Sprinkle crushed oreos over the filling.
  6. Roll into a log, starting at the long bottom edge. Mark the roll into 12 equal pieces. Using a large sharp knife, cut into 12 equal rolls. Arrange each roll into the baking pan (Stop HERE and check out recipe notes for the overnight option). Let rise until doubled in size in a warm place, about 30 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Pour the heavy cream evenly over the rolls. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown on top. Let the cookies and cream cinnamon rolls cool inside the pan – make the frosting meanwhile.
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Frosting

  1. Beat the butter, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer or with electric hand beaters until light and fluffy.
  2. Add chunks of cream cheese into the butter in a few additions, beating very well in between. It should be fluffy. Add vanilla and cream, and beat until fluffy.
  3. Spread on top of the rolls while they are still warm so that the frosting melts into the rolls a little bit. Top with more crushed oreos. Serve warm!
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FAQ

How do I get fluffy rolls?

The most important step to getting buttery, light, and fluffy cinnamon rolls is making sure the flour is properly measured. I use a scale to weigh the flour for the most accurate results. A cheap kitchen scale works wonders.If you don’t have a scale on hand, you can measure the flour properly using dry measuring cups. Fluff up your flour with a spoon, spoon it into your measuring cup, and level off the top with the flat edge of a knife without packing in the flour. It isn’t as accurate as using a scale but it’s the next best option!

My favourite tip however, is to handle the dough as little as possible. The less effort I put into the roll dough, the fluffier they turn out – every time!

The heavy cream poured onto the rolls before baking really make a huge difference! They turn the filling into a beautiful gooey mess and steam the dough into puffs of clouds.

Is my dough supposed to be this sticky?

The dough is going to be very sticky and a little bit wet as soon as you mix all of the ingredients together. It will look more like a dough after it rests and rises as the flour absorbs more liquid. If it looks too sticky and runny (like a pancake batter and not a dough), then add a little more flour to make it resemble a dough.

Why did my cinnamon rolls shrink in the oven and have gaps in the swirls?

That could happen because the dough was over-proofed. Only let the dough rise until it is doubled in volume – not more! Sometimes I even let it rise less to make sure I get tighter rolls. Also be careful not to overbake which could dry out the funfetti cinnamon rolls, making them shrink.

What can I use instead of oreos for cookies and cream?

I recommend using any other chocolate sandwich cookie. For a fun twist you can use flavoured oreos! For a vanilla version use golden oreos or a similar sandwich cookie.

Why pour cream over cinnamon rolls before baking?

The cream will steam the rolls making them super fluffy. It will also combine with that cinnamon sugar mixture and create gooey bottoms. Don’t skip this step! If you prefer a non-dairy option you can use coconut or cashew cream.

Check out my other no knead recipes:

  • Chocolate Tahini Babka (No Knead Recipe)
  • Gooey Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls – No Knead
  • Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls – No Knead

Happy baking! xx

Did you make this recipe? I would love for you to rate this recipe and hear what you think in the comments!

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📖 Recipe

Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls - No Knead (9)

Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Mary

These no knead cookies and cream cinnamon rolls are fluffy, gooey, packed with oreos and topped with a cream cheese frosting. Oreos (or your favourite chocolate sandwich cookie) are added into the dough, the cinnamon filling, and the topping for ultimate cookies and cream flavour!I've included an overnight option to make your mornings a breeze.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Rest Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Baking, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Rolls

Cuisine American

Servings 12 rolls

Equipment

  • 9"x12" baking pan

Ingredients

No Knead Dough

Filling

Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes:9 x 12inch rectangle

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions

Dough

  • Combine warm water, 1 teaspoon sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Stir until yeast dissolves. Let it sit for about 5 minutes so that a foam starts to form on top. If a foam doesn’t form in 10 minutes, discard and try again with another packet of yeast.

    ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 packet activated dry yeast

  • In a large bowl combine flour, salt, and stir. Make a well in the middle and add the crushed oreos, butter, eggs, vanilla, milk, and yeast mixture.

    4 ⅔ cups all purpose flour, ½ cup crushed oreos, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ¾ cup unsalted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¾ cup milk

  • Mix until a cohesive dough forms. Cover the bowl with a dish cloth and place in a warm place (see notes) to rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Butter a 9”x12” baking pan while it rises and prepare the cinnamon filling.

  • Punch down the dough and transfer onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 18” by 24”.

  • Spread the filling on top of the dough, leaving a 1” border on the top edge. Sprinkle crushed oreos over the filling.

    1 cup crushed oreos

  • Roll into a log, starting at the long bottom edge. Mark the roll into 12 equal pieces. Using a large sharp knife, cut into 12 equal rolls. Arrange each roll into the baking pan. (Stop HERE for overnight option - check notes!) Let rise until doubled in size in a warm place, about 30 minutes.

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Pour the heavy cream evenly over the rolls. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown on top. Let cool inside the pan – make the frosting while it cools.

    ½ cup heavy cream

Filling

  • I like to make the filling as the dough rises to save on time. Combine cinnamon, sugar, and butter in a medium bowl and mix well to combine. Have the butter very soft, almost melted to blend easier. Set aside to use later.

    ⅓ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Frosting

  • Beat the butter, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer or with electric hand beaters until light and fluffy.

    ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt

  • Add chunks of cream cheese into the butter in a few additions, beating very well in between. It should be fluffy. Add vanilla and cream, and beat until fluffy.

    4 oz cream cheese, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 3 tablespoon heavy cream

  • Spread on top of the rolls while they are still warm so that the frosting melts into the rolls a little bit. Top with more crushed oreos. Serve warm!

    4 oreos

Video

Notes

Store the baked and wrapped rolls in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Heat up before eating so that they become soft and gooey again.

Best way to let dough rise: I let my dough rise in an oven preheating to 180°C (350°F) for 3 minutes, then turned off. If it isn’t warm enough, the dough will not rise because of how much butter and sugar it has. You do not want the oven to be hot (over 55°C) or it will bake the yeast.

Crushing the oreos: I crushed the oreos in a food processor but you can easily chop them up on a cutting board or crush them in a large plastic bag with a rolling pin.

Make Ahead - overnight rolls: Prepare the rolls the night before and stop before letting the assembled rolls rise (second rise). Wrap baking tray tightly to cover and immediately place in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Once you are ready to bake them, let them come to room temperature and rise to fill out any gaps in the pan. Pour with cream and bake according to the instructions.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls - No Knead (2024)

FAQs

Is AP flour better than bread flour for cinnamon rolls? ›

Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose flour, making it a better option for pastries. Most people recommend baking cinnamon rolls with bread flour, as this creates a fluffier and softer cinnamon roll. Though all-purpose flour will also work to create tasty cinnamon rolls.

How to make Pillsbury cinnamon rolls without burning the bottom? ›

Try baking them on a lower shelf in the oven. I usually bake mine in the lower third of the oven, to help the bottom and top cook evenly. The other trick, to make sure they don't burn on the bottom, is to remove them from the oven and immediately turn the pan over on to a plate.

Should I pour milk over my cinnamon rolls before baking? ›

Julie Clark, the blogger behind the website, notes that after years of research, she discovered that the key to getting perfectly gooey rolls is to “pour heavy cream over the cinnamon buns before baking. THIS is the secret ingredient and what makes the rolls rich and gooey.”

Why are my cinnamon rolls not light and fluffy? ›

There are a lot of variables that go into the consistency of dough, even down to the weather and humidity. But the most common reason cinnamon rolls don't turn out fluffy is because the dough didn't have enough time to rise.

What happens if you add too much flour to cinnamon rolls? ›

Too much flour in your dough will give you dry, dense rolls. You can always add a bit more flour after it has kneaded if it's too sticky to work with.

Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for cinnamon rolls? ›

Cinnamon Roll Icing Ingredients

Vanilla: Vanilla extract takes the irresistible flavor up a notch. Confectioners' sugar: Make sure you use confectioners' (a.k.a. powdered) sugar instead of granulated sugar for the best consistency.

Why do you put baking powder in cinnamon rolls? ›

The addition of baking powder and baking soda is unique in a yeasted dough. To achieve a soft sweet-bread texture and yeasty flavor you'll find in a true cinnamon roll, this recipes uses yeast, baking powder and baking soda.

Should I put parchment paper under cinnamon rolls? ›

Prepare 9x13in (doesn't have to be exact, just close) baking pans by lining with parchment paper. I use parchment paper just about every time I bake anything. Not only does it help keep things from sticking to the pan, it also helps keep the dough from burning. Now is a good time to start the oven preheating (350°F).

Should the cinnamon rolls touch or be kept apart while baking? ›

I almost always use large, rimmed baking sheets lined with parchment paper and lightly greased with cooking spray. For average-sized cinnamon rolls, I place about 12 rolls per pan with enough space in between the rolls for rising (but close enough that they'll bake up with sides touching).

Why do cinnamon rolls collapse after baking? ›

If you let your cinnamon rolls rise for too long you can over-proof them. This can lead to dense rolls or rolls that collapse after baking.

What does heavy cream do in baking? ›

According to our very own “Prince of Pastry” Chef Eddy Van Damme, heavy cream has 36 to 40 percent milk fat and will whip up firmer with stiff peaks that hold their shape longer than whipping cream peaks do. Heavy cream is a good choice when decorating pies or cakes, or for thickening sauces and ganache.

Why add heavy cream? ›

It's an excellent thickener/enricher for soups and sauces, especially since cream (as opposed to half and half) will not curdle when boiled. Heavy cream is also used for ice cream, frostings and as a topper for desserts because when whipped, it can be piped and hold its shape.

How do you keep cinnamon rolls from hardening? ›

Whether you leave them out at room temperature or refrigerate them, the most important thing is to store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap on a plate. This keeps the cinnamon rolls moist, fresh, and just as delicious as when they came out of the oven.

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