Buttermilk Cinnamon Roll Bites
These Buttermilk Cinnamon Roll Bites are soft, fluffy, sticky, and irresistibly gooey—basically like eating the center of a cinnamon roll over and over again. Each bite is rolled in a cozy brown sugar–cinnamon mixture, then baked in a warm brown sugar syrup that keeps them ultra-soft and caramelized. Serve them warm with a tangy cream cheese glaze and a hot cup of coffee for the ultimate cozy breakfast or brunch treat that tastes like comfort in every bite.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Buttermilk: Warmed to activate the yeast and create extra soft, tender cinnamon roll bites. If you aren’t able to find buttermilk, you can substitute just your milk of choice; they’ll still turn out great!
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps activate the yeast for a fluffy rise.
Active Dry Yeast: Leavens the dough and gives the bites their classic cinnamon roll fluffiness.
Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Adds moisture, tenderness, and richness to the dough.
Salted Butter: Used in the dough, coating, syrup, and glaze for rich flavor and perfect gooey texture.
Eggs: Help create a soft, enriched dough with a pillowy crumb.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Adds warm, bakery-style flavor to the dough, syrup, and glaze.
Bread Flour: Provides structure and chew while keeping the centers soft and fluffy.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the warm cinnamon flavor.
Light Brown Sugar: Used in the coating and syrup for deep caramel flavor and gooey stickiness.
Cinnamon: Essential for that classic warm cinnamon roll flavor in both the coating and syrup.
Heavy Cream: Poured over the bites before baking for ultimate softness and gooey centers.
Cream Cheese: Creates the tangy, silky glaze that finishes the bites perfectly.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and smooths the cream cheese glaze.
Milk of Choice: Thins the glaze to the perfect pourable consistency.
Why You’ll Love Buttermilk Cinnamon Roll Bites:
Soft, Fluffy Texture: Every bite is tender, pillowy, and melt-in-your-mouth—never dry or dense.
Center-of-the-Roll Goodness: Tastes exactly like the gooey center of a cinnamon roll… but in every single bite.
Sticky and Gooey: Rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked in brown sugar syrup for maximum caramelized goodness.
Buttermilk Richness: Adds tang, tenderness, and incredible softness to the dough.
Easy to Make: No complicated shaping—just roll, coat, and bake.
Perfect for Breakfast or Brunch: Cozy, warm, and impossible not to devour fresh out of the oven.
Cream Cheese Glaze: The tangy glaze cuts the sweetness and adds that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep components in advance for effortless morning baking.
Crowd-Pleaser: Great for holidays, brunch gatherings, or anytime you crave something warm and cinnamon-sugary.
Pairs Perfectly With Coffee: The kind of breakfast treat made for slow mornings and cozy moments.
Tips for Making Buttermilk Cinnamon Roll Bites:
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the eggs and Greek yogurt or sour cream are at room temperature so the dough mixes smoothly and rises properly.
Measure Ingredients Accurately: Weigh the flour and sugars for best results to avoid dense or dry dough.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix until just combined to keep the bites soft, fluffy, and tender.
Roll Even-Sized Pieces: Cutting or pinching the dough into uniform pieces helps them bake evenly.
Coat Generously in Cinnamon Sugar: Roll each dough piece fully in the brown sugar–cinnamon mixture for maximum sticky, gooey flavor.
Pour Syrup Over Evenly: Distribute the brown sugar syrup across the dough so every bite bakes up caramelized and soft.
Bake Until Just Set: Remove from the oven when puffed and lightly golden so the centers stay soft and gooey.
Let Cool Slightly Before Glazing: Cooling for a few minutes helps the glaze melt beautifully without completely disappearing.
Make the Glaze Thick: A thicker cream cheese glaze clings better to the warm bites and adds the perfect tangy balance.
Serve Warm: These bites are at their absolute best fresh from the oven while still sticky, gooey, and soft.
How to Store Buttermilk Cinnamon Roll Bites:
Room Temperature (1 Day): Store in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. They will stay soft and gooey but are always best fresh.
Refrigerator (2–3 Days): Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The cream cheese glaze requires refrigeration.
Reheat to Restore Gooey Texture: Warm in the microwave for 10–12 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes until soft and sticky again.
Freeze (Unglazed Only): Freeze baked, unglazed cinnamon roll bites in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm before glazing.
Freeze the Dough (Optional): You can freeze the unbaked dough pieces after coating them in cinnamon sugar. Freeze on a baking sheet, store in a bag, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Glaze Storage: Store any leftover cream cheese glaze in the fridge for up to 4 days and re-whisk before using.
Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. The next morning, bring it to room temperature, roll into pieces, coat in cinnamon sugar, pour the syrup on top, proof, pour the heavy cream over the top, and bake. You can also fully shape and coat the dough pieces, place them in the baking dish, cover well, and refrigerate overnight. Let them warm slightly at room temperature (45–60 minutes), pour the syrup over top, proof, pour the heavy cream over top, and bake as directed.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these cinnamon roll bites ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. The next morning, bring it to room temperature, roll into pieces, coat in cinnamon sugar, pour the syrup on top, proof, pour the heavy cream over the top, and bake. You can also fully shape and coat the dough pieces, place them in the baking dish, cover well, and refrigerate overnight. Let them warm slightly at room temperature (45–60 minutes), pour the syrup over top, proof, pour the heavy cream over top, and bake as directed.
Q: Can I freeze the dough?
A: Yes. Freeze the unbaked dough pieces after coating them in cinnamon sugar. Freeze on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, assemble in the pan, pour over the syrup, and bake.
Q: Do I have to use buttermilk?
A: Buttermilk gives the dough its signature soft and tender texture, but you can substitute it with your milk of choice if desired.
Q: Why did my bites turn out dense?
A: This usually means too much flour was added. For best results, weigh your ingredients or spoon-and-level the flour carefully to avoid packing.
Q: Can I use store-bought dough?
A: Yes, in a pinch you can use canned biscuit dough. It won’t be as soft or flavorful as homemade, but it’s a great shortcut.
Q: Can I make these without the cream cheese glaze?
A: Absolutely. They’re delicious on their own or with a simple vanilla glaze or extra brown sugar syrup.
Q: How do I store leftovers safely?
A: Because of the cream cheese glaze, store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm before serving for the best texture.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes. Simply multiply all ingredients by two and bake in 2, 9x13” baking dishes.
Q: Are these best served warm or room temperature?
A: Warm is definitely best—this is when they’re at peak gooey, sticky, cinnamon-roll-center perfection.
Q: Can I make these buttermilk cinnamon rolls bites with sourdough starter instead of yeast?
A: Yes, you can substitute 100g of active sourdough starter for the yeast. The dough will need a longer bulk fermentation — about 6–8 hours at room temperature — followed by an overnight ferment in the refrigerator to develop flavor. The next day, shape, assemble, proof, and bake according to the instructions in the recipe below.
Love these? Check out my other breakfast recipes that are perfect for the holidays:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these buttermilk cinnamon roll bites. Happy baking!
