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Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Blondies with Brown Butter & Cream Cheese Glaze

Prepare to fall in love with these extraordinary Cinnamon Roll Blondies! Imagine the warm, comforting embrace of a classic cinnamon roll, transformed into a soft, chewy blondie bar. Each bite delivers a delightful blend of rich, nutty brown butter, layers of sweet brown sugar cinnamon filling, and a velvety smooth cream cheese glaze that truly elevates this dessert. If you’re a fan of the deep, caramelized notes of brown butter and the comforting spice of cinnamon, these blondies are about to become your new favorite treat. For those who adore cinnamon rolls in their traditional form, be sure to explore my Brown Butter Brioche Cinnamon Rolls for another delightful experience.

Mastering the Art of Cinnamon Roll Blondies

Creating these heavenly blondies is a rewarding process, bringing together simple ingredients to form a complex flavor profile. Let’s walk through each essential step to ensure your blondies are perfectly soft, chewy, and bursting with cinnamon goodness.

The Secret to Deep Flavor: Brown Butter

The journey to an exceptional blondie begins with browning butter. This seemingly simple step is a game-changer, infusing the blondie batter with a rich, nutty, and slightly caramelized flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully. To achieve perfectly browned butter, melt it gently in a light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat. Keep a close eye on it as it transitions from clear yellow to foamy, then to a beautiful golden-brown, with toasted milk solids collecting at the bottom. This process intensifies the butter’s natural flavor, adding a layer of depth that sets these blondies apart.

Crafting the Perfect Blondie Batter

Once your brown butter has cooled slightly (this is crucial to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely), it forms the luxurious base of our blondie batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown butter with brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients thoroughly until smooth and well-combined. The brown sugar not only adds sweetness but also contributes to the blondies’ signature chewy texture. Next, gently fold in the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Use a rubber spatula for this step, mixing just until a few streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can lead to tough blondies, so a light touch is key.

The Heart of the Blondie: Cinnamon Swirl Filling

What truly makes these blondies sing is the decadent cinnamon brown sugar mixture. This irresistible filling creates pockets of gooey cinnamon sweetness throughout the blondies and a beautiful swirl on top. Simply combine melted butter, rich brown sugar, and aromatic cinnamon in a small bowl. The mixture should be thick and spreadable, ready to be layered into your blondies for that classic cinnamon roll experience.

Assembly and Baking: Bringing It All Together

The assembly process creates the stunning layers and swirls that define these blondies. First, prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by lightly greasing it and lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all four sides to create a convenient sling for lifting the baked blondies. Spread a generous layer of the blondie batter evenly across the bottom of the pan. Next, dollop approximately two-thirds of the cinnamon brown sugar mixture over this batter layer and gently spread it out. Carefully top with the remaining blondie batter, spreading it lightly to cover the cinnamon layer without disturbing it too much. Finally, take the last portion of the cinnamon filling, dollop it artistically on top of the batter, and use a toothpick or a knife to create elegant swirls. Bake your blondies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 22-24 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft and gooey.

The Finishing Touch: Cream Cheese Glaze

No cinnamon roll-inspired dessert is complete without a luscious cream cheese glaze. To prepare this sweet topping, combine softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a hint of vanilla extract. Whisk until the glaze is smooth, creamy, and pourable. Once your baked blondies have cooled completely (this is important to prevent the glaze from melting), slice them into squares. Then, generously drizzle or pipe the rich cream cheese glaze over each piece, adding that iconic finishing touch that balances the sweetness and spice perfectly.

Essential Tips for Perfect Brown Butter

Browning butter is a simple technique that yields incredible flavor, but it requires a bit of attention. Follow these tips for consistently delicious results every time:

• Stay Attentive: Don’t Walk Away. Browning butter is a rapid process. Butter can quickly transition from perfectly browned to burnt in a matter of seconds. Stay by the stove and give it your full attention. Continuous stirring helps ensure even browning and prevents milk solids from scorching too quickly at the bottom of the pan.
• Spot the Golden Brown Bits and Nutty Aroma. The key indicators that your butter is perfectly browned are visual and olfactory. As the butter melts and heats, it will first foam. Then, the milk solids, which settle at the bottom of the pan, will begin to toast. Look for these small, dark brown specks and a distinct, rich, nutty aroma—similar to toasted hazelnuts. The butter itself should also turn a deep, golden amber color. Using a light-colored saucepan can make it easier to observe these crucial color changes.
• Immediate Removal from Heat is Critical. Once you’ve achieved that perfect golden hue and nutty fragrance, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Even off the burner, residual heat in the pan can continue to cook the butter, potentially leading to burning. For extra assurance, swiftly pour the browned butter into a separate heat-safe bowl or measuring cup. This halts the cooking process completely and preserves that exquisite nutty flavor without any bitterness.

Cinnamon Roll Blondies: Recipe FAQs

How do you know if the blondies are perfectly baked?

Achieving the ideal texture for blondies means walking a fine line between perfectly cooked and overbaked. You’re aiming for a slightly soft and gooey center, which translates to incredible chewiness once cooled. To test for doneness, gently insert a toothpick into the middle of the blondies. It should emerge with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, indicating a moist, fudgy texture. If the toothpick comes out with wet batter, they need a few more minutes. If it comes out completely clean, they are likely overbaked and might be dry. The edges of the blondies should also appear lightly golden brown.

What is the best way to store these delicious blondies?

To keep your cinnamon roll blondies fresh and moist, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their quality for up to 3 days. When storing, try to arrange them in a single layer if possible, especially if they are already glazed. This prevents the cream cheese glaze from sticking to other blondies and keeps their beautiful tops intact.

Can Cinnamon Roll Blondies be frozen?

Yes, these blondies freeze wonderfully, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying later! However, I highly recommend freezing them *without* the cream cheese glaze. The glaze can become watery or separate after thawing. To freeze, place the cooled, unglazed blondies in an airtight container in a single layer, or separate layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to one month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for several hours. Once thawed, you can whip up a fresh batch of cream cheese glaze to drizzle on top, ensuring the best texture and flavor.

Baking Tip: Always Weigh Your Ingredients!

For the most consistent and professional baking results, I highly recommend using a digital kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients rather than relying on volume measurements (cups and spoons). Weighing is far more accurate, eliminating common variables that can lead to inconsistent batches. This precision translates directly into a higher success rate with your recipes, ensuring perfectly textured and flavored baked goods every time. As an added bonus, using a scale often means fewer dirty measuring cups, making cleanup a breeze! I provide gram measurements in all my recipes, and this is the trusty scale I use in my kitchen.

Cinnamon Roll Blondies

All the warm, gooey flavors of a classic cinnamon roll are captured in these soft and chewy Cinnamon Roll Blondies. Swirled with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon filling and finished with a luscious cream cheese glaze.

★★★★★

5 from 1 vote

Author:
Rachel

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Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
34 mins
Total Time
49 mins

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Yield
16 servings

Ingredients

For the Blondies

• 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) light or dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon Filling

• ¼ cup (4 Tablespoons or 57g) unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup (67g) light or dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Glaze

• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (57g) powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

SHOP INGREDIENTS

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9” x 9” square baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on all four sides. This creates a convenient “sling” that will help you easily lift the baked blondies out of the pan.
2. Blondie Base – Browning the Butter: In a large saucepan (preferably light-colored for better visibility), add the unsalted butter. Melt the butter over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue cooking and stirring as the butter foams and the milk solids begin to separate and brown at the bottom of the pan. You’ll notice the butter taking on a deep golden color and emitting a rich, nutty aroma. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
3. Blondie Base – Mixing the Batter: As soon as the butter is beautifully browned, immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool for a few minutes until it’s warm but not hot. Whisk in the brown sugar until fully incorporated. Then, add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring the mixture is smooth and well aerated (about 30 seconds of whisking). Finally, gently fold in the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a rubber spatula and mix until just a few streaks of flour remain; avoid overmixing. Set this rich blondie batter aside.
4. Cinnamon Filling: In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until you have a thick, fragrant cinnamon-sugar paste.
5. Assembly: Spread half of the blondie batter evenly into the bottom of your prepared 9×9 inch pan, using an offset spatula for a smooth layer. Dollop approximately two-thirds of the cinnamon filling over this batter. Gently spread the cinnamon filling into an even layer, being careful not to disturb the blondie batter underneath. Next, spoon the remaining blondie batter over the cinnamon layer and lightly spread it out, again working carefully to avoid lifting the layers below. For the final touch, dollop the remaining cinnamon filling on top of the blondie batter and use a toothpick or a small knife to create beautiful swirls.
6. Baking: Transfer the pan to your preheated oven. Bake for 22-24 minutes, or until the blondies are set around the edges and have a lovely golden-brown hue. The center should still be slightly soft and gooey when gently pressed, ensuring a wonderfully chewy texture.
7. Cream Cheese Glaze: While the blondies cool, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. Adjust the consistency with a tiny bit more milk if needed for desired drizzle.
8. Finish and Enjoy: Once the blondies have cooled completely in the pan, use the parchment paper sling to lift them out. Cut them into 16 squares. Drizzle or pipe the prepared cream cheese glaze generously over each blondie. Serve and enjoy these irresistible treats!

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I’m Rachel

I’m the dessert lover, recipe developer, and content creator behind Sweet Kitchen Cravings. Here you’ll find classic yet special recipes that are sure to impress your loved ones!

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