The Sweet Beginning
Why You’ll Love Birthday Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
These Birthday Cookie Cinnamon Rolls are a festive, flavorful twist on the beloved cinnamon roll. Bursting with cookie dough filling, rainbow sprinkles, and white chocolate chips, every bite of these birthday cookie cinnamon rolls feels like a party. Perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to bake something unique and memorable, birthday cookie cinnamon rolls combine nostalgic flavors with an exciting presentation everyone will love. If you love unique, festive desserts, you might also enjoy our Vintage Birthday Cake with Black Ribbon another delightful way to celebrate special occasions with a creative twist.
Ingredients for Birthday Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups (330 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (170 g) whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (one packet)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
Cookie Filling:
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (106 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup (40 g) rainbow sprinkles
- 1 cup (170 g) white chocolate chips
Icing:
- 1 cup (113 g) confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Dough
Lightly grease a 9×9-inch square baking dish or a 9–10-inch round pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat milk and butter in 20-second intervals until butter is melted and the mixture is warm (about 110°F). Stir in yeast, then pour into dry ingredients. Add egg and stir to form a soft dough.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 3–5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover lightly, and let rest for 10 minutes.
Making the Cookie Filling
In another bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Stir in egg, vanilla, and almond extracts. In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt, and baking soda, then add to the wet mixture. Fold in sprinkles and white chocolate chips.
Assembling Birthday Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
Roll the rested dough into a 14×9-inch rectangle. Spread cookie filling evenly over the dough. Starting at the long edge, roll tightly into a log. Cut into 9 rolls and place in the baking dish. Cover and let rise at room temperature for 60–90 minutes, until doubled.
Baking and Finishing Touches
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the birthday cookie cinnamon rolls for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and centers reach 195–200°F. If browning too fast, tent with foil. Meanwhile, whisk confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, and milk for icing. Drizzle over warm birthday cookie cinnamon rolls and serve immediately.
These birthday cookie cinnamon rolls are a delightful way to make any occasion special!
Pro Tips and Storage
Tips for Perfect Birthday Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use a room-temperature egg and warm milk for soft, fluffy rolls.
- Ideal Milk Temperature: Warm milk to about 110°F just warm enough to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Slice Cleanly: Use unflavored dental floss to cut your rolls for neat, even slices without squishing the dough.
- Make Ahead: Prep the rolls the night before and let them rise overnight in the fridge for a fuss-free morning bake.
Storage and Freezing
- At Room Temperature: Keep covered for up to 3 days for best freshness.
- In the Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze Baked Rolls: Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, then reheat gently.
- Freeze Unbaked Rolls: Par-bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, cool, freeze. Finish baking after thawing overnight.
Serving Suggestions and Fun Variations

How to Serve Birthday Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
Serve these birthday cookie cinnamon rolls warm, drizzled with icing, and sprinkled with extra rainbow sprinkles for a festive touch. They pair beautifully with hot coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk. For special occasions, try topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For more indulgent breakfast and brunch ideas, check out our Coffee Cake Muffins perfect to pair with your morning coffee alongside these cinnamon rolls.
Creative Variations
- Chocolate Lovers: Drizzle melted dark or white chocolate on top.
- Extra Crunch: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or even toasted coconut to the filling.
- Fruity Burst: Spread a thin layer of raspberry or strawberry jam before adding the cookie filling.
- Birthday Cake Inspired: Mix a little cake batter extract into the icing for a true birthday cake flavor.
These variations let you personalize your rolls and keep things exciting every time you bake.

Birthday Cookie Cinnamon Rolls
Equipment
- 9×9-inch baking dish or 9–10-inch round pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Rolling Pin
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (one packet)
- 1 large egg room temperature
Cookie Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Icing
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Lightly grease a baking dish. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, heat milk and butter until warm and melted, stir in yeast, then pour into dry ingredients. Add egg and mix to form a soft dough.
- Knead the dough for 3–5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- In another bowl, make the cookie filling by mixing melted butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Sift in flour, salt, baking soda, then fold in sprinkles and white chocolate chips.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread cookie filling evenly. Roll up into a log, cut into 9 rolls, place in dish, cover, and let rise for 60–90 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and centers reach 195–200°F. Mix icing ingredients and drizzle over warm rolls.
Notes
FAQs
How long will birthday cookie cinnamon rolls stay fresh?
At room temperature, they stay soft and fresh for 2–3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze as described above.
How do I know if birthday cookie cinnamon rolls have gone bad?
If the rolls feel excessively dry, develop mold, or have an off smell, it’s time to toss them.
How long do you bake Pillsbury birthday cake cookies?
Bake them according to package directions, typically around 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
Can I let my cinnamon roll dough rise overnight?
Yes! Assemble the rolls and let them rise overnight in the fridge. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature while the oven preheats.
How do you keep birthday cookie cinnamon rolls soft and fresh?
Store them in an airtight container and add a slice of bread to help retain moisture.
Why shouldn’t you refrigerate Cinnabon?
Refrigeration can dry out baked cinnamon rolls. It’s better to keep them at room temperature for a couple of days or freeze for longer storage.
Conclusion
These birthday cookie cinnamon rolls bring joy and color to any occasion. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a fun weekend bake, their buttery dough and sprinkle-studded filling make them irresistible. Bake a batch today and watch smiles appear around your table! If you’re a fan of playful, colorful bakes, you’ll love our whimsical Unicorn Cake a showstopper for any party table!
showstopper for any party table. For more baking inspiration and expert tips, visit Pinterest a trusted resource for bakers of all levels.
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