Almond Cream Cheese Rolls (Printable)
Pillowy almond cream cheese swirls with toasted almonds and a sweet glaze—tender, rich, and brunch-ready.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 3/4 cup warm milk
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs
→ Almond Cream Cheese Filling
08 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1/2 tsp almond extract
11 - 1/2 cup finely ground almonds (almond flour)
→ Topping
12 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds
13 - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
→ Icing
14 - 1 cup powdered sugar
15 - 2-3 tbsp milk
16 - 1/4 tsp almond extract
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly.
02 - Add eggs, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
04 - In a separate bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, sugar, almond extract, and ground almonds until smooth and creamy.
05 - Roll the risen dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread the almond cream cheese filling evenly across the entire surface. Roll up tightly from the long side and slice into 12 equal pieces.
06 - Arrange the rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush the tops of the rolls with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with sliced almonds. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown and set in the center.
08 - Cool the rolls in the pan for 15 minutes. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract to make a smooth icing. Drizzle over the warm rolls. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cream cheese filling stays luscious and slightly tangy, balancing the sweet almond icing perfectly.
- They look bakery level impressive but the dough is surprisingly forgiving for home bakers.
02 -
- Overfilling the dough will cause the filling to leak out during baking, so spread it evenly and resist the urge to pile it on.
- The second rise is not optional because skipping it gives you dense, heavy rolls that no amount of icing can save.
03 -
- Dental floss makes the cleanest cuts through the rolled dough without squishing the beautiful spiral shape.
- Adding a pinch of orange zest to the cream cheese filling creates a brightness that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.