Our Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe: Fudgy, Chewy & Utterly Divine

Have you ever struggled to decide between the comforting, aromatic spice of a warm cinnamon roll and the dense, fudgy bite of a classic blondie? We certainly have! One is a soft, yeasted delight, while the other offers pure buttery indulgence. Well, we’re here to tell you that you no longer need to choose. We’ve developed the perfect hybrid dessert that combines the most beloved elements of both treats into one glorious traybake. Prepare to be smitten by this simple recipe that gives you all the cinnamon roll flavour without any of the lengthy prep work.

Our recipe elevates the humble blondie to extraordinary new heights. We begin with a straightforward, rich blondie batter, then weave a decadent ribbon of cinnamon sugar through it before baking it to a perfect golden-brown. As a finishing touch, we lavish it with a sharp, sweet cream cheese icing that simply melts on the tongue. It’s a flavour experience that will have your friends and family begging for the recipe. If you’re a fan of cosy, spiced desserts, we think you’ll also fall for our Apple Cider Whoopie Pies, which are simply ideal for autumn celebrations.

Why We’re Certain You’ll Adore This Recipe

A Dream Dessert Combination: We’ve successfully merged the chewy, buttery texture of a blondie with the distinctive cinnamon-sugar swirl and tangy cream cheese icing of a cinnamon roll. It is, quite simply, baking perfection!
Wonderfully Simple to Bake: Say goodbye to yeast, proving, and complicated techniques. This is an easy, one-bowl-style recipe that you can whip up in less than an hour, making it ideal for novice bakers or when you’re short on time.
A Versatile Treat for All Events: Whether you’re after an impressive bake for a weekend get-together, a bake sale contribution, or a simple weeknight indulgence, these blondies always steal the show. They also travel beautifully and are incredibly easy to serve.
A Symphony of Flavours and Textures: The fusion of the fudgy blondie, the spiced warmth of the cinnamon swirl, and the silky, cool icing creates a truly memorable, multi-layered taste sensation.

Ingredients for Flawless Cinnamon Roll Blondies

To make this recipe as straightforward as possible, we have organised the ingredients into three main parts: the blondie base, the cinnamon swirl, and of course, the glorious cream cheese icing. Using good-quality ingredients will always yield a superior result, so we encourage you to use the best you can find.

For the Blondie Base:

Unsalted Butter: Using melted butter is our secret weapon for achieving that perfectly fudgy, chewy texture.
Light Brown Sugar: This ingredient provides essential moisture and a wonderful caramel flavour, which is the hallmark of a great blondie.
Caster Sugar: A touch of white sugar contributes to the classic, lightly crackled top.
Large Eggs: We use two large, free-range eggs at room temperature to bind everything together beautifully.
Vanilla Extract: A good-quality vanilla extract is crucial for enhancing the other flavours in the bake.
Plain Flour: Also known as all-purpose flour, this gives the blondies their structure.
Salt: Just a small pinch of fine sea salt is needed to balance the sweetness and deepen the flavours.

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

Unsalted Butter: Melted, this helps form a paste that’s easy to swirl.
Light Brown Sugar: This brings the sweet, caramelised notes to the swirl.
Ground Cinnamon: The undeniable star of this recipe! We use a generous portion to ensure a bold, warming spice. There are several types of cinnamon; for more information, have a look at this helpful guide.

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

Full-Fat Cream Cheese: This must be at room temperature to guarantee a silky-smooth, lump-free consistency.
Unsalted Butter: Also at room temperature, this adds a rich, creamy quality to the icing.
Icing Sugar: We recommend sifting this to prevent any unwanted lumps.
Vanilla Extract: Just a small drop is needed to complete the flavour profile.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Blondies: Our Step-by-Step Method

This is a wonderfully simple chewy blondie recipe. Simply follow our guide, and you will have a tray of delicious treats ready in no time at all.

Get Prepared: To begin, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4). Grease and line a 9×9 inch (23×23 cm) square baking tin with baking parchment, ensuring you leave an overhang on the sides. This clever trick creates ‘handles’ for easy removal later.
Mix the Blondie Batter: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with the light brown and caster sugars until fully combined and the mixture looks glossy. Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking vigorously for a minute or so until the batter appears lighter and creamier.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Using a spatula, gently fold the plain flour and salt into the wet mixture. It’s crucial not to overmix here; stop folding as soon as the last streaks of flour disappear. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a cakey texture instead of a chewy one.
Create the Cinnamon Swirl: In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir until you have a thick paste that can be easily spread.
Assemble Your Blondies: Transfer about two-thirds of the blondie batter into your prepared tin, spreading it into an even layer. Spoon small dollops of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the surface. Finally, add the rest of the blondie batter on top, covering the cinnamon blobs.
Perfect the Swirl: Take a skewer or the tip of a knife and gently drag it through the batter in a figure-of-eight pattern. This will create a lovely marbled look. Be careful not to mix too much, as you want to maintain distinct layers.
Time to Bake: Place the tin in your preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. The blondies are done when the edges are golden and set, while the centre still appears a touch soft. A skewer inserted into the middle should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Cool Down Completely: This is perhaps the most challenging step due to temptation, but it is vital! You must allow the blondies to cool entirely in the tin before you consider icing them. Any residual warmth will cause the icing to melt.
Whip Up the Icing: While your blondies are cooling, make the cream cheese icing. In a bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar, add the vanilla, and beat again until the mixture is light and airy.
Ice and Enjoy: Once the blondies have cooled completely, use the baking parchment handles to lift them from the tin. Spread the cream cheese icing over the top in an even layer. You can then slice them into 9 generous squares or 16 smaller portions. Serve and enjoy the praise!

Our Very Best Tips for Perfect Blondies

To help you ensure your cinnamon swirl blondies are an absolute triumph every single time, we’ve put together our most valuable tips and tricks.

Don’t Overbake: The secret to a perfectly fudgy and chewy blondie lies in removing it from the oven while the centre remains slightly gooey. It will continue to bake from the residual heat of the tin as it cools.
Room Temperature is Crucial: For the silkiest cream cheese icing you can imagine, it’s essential that your cream cheese and butter are at true room temperature. Cold ingredients are the primary cause of lumpy icing.
Measure Flour with Precision: For the most reliable results, we always advocate for using digital kitchen scales. If you are using measuring cups, employ the ‘scoop and level’ technique: fluff up the flour, spoon it into your cup without packing it down, and then level the top with a straight edge.
Patience Pays Off: We understand how tempting it is to slice into them immediately, but allowing the blondies to cool completely is a non-negotiable step. This gives them the time they need to set properly, ensuring clean cuts and that signature chewy texture.

Creative Variations and Serving Ideas

Although this recipe is truly wonderful as it is, there are numerous ways you can add your own personal touch. If you enjoy experimenting with different flavours in your baking, you might also find some great ideas in our simple yet scrumptious Biscoff Rice Krispie Treats recipe.

Add Some Nutty Texture: For a delightful crunch, try folding 100g of chopped pecans or walnuts into the blondie batter before baking.
For the Chocolate Enthusiast: Stir 100g of white chocolate chips into the batter to introduce an extra dimension of creamy sweetness that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
Brown the Butter: To achieve a deeper, nuttier, and more complex flavour, you can brown the butter for the blondie base. Melt it in a light-coloured pan over a medium heat, cooking and swirling it until it turns a rich amber colour and gives off a nutty aroma. Allow it to cool slightly before use.

FAQ

Q: Can I prepare these blondies in advance?

A: Yes, absolutely! They are an excellent make-ahead dessert. You can bake the blondie base a day ahead, let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container at room temperature. We find it’s best to add the icing just before you plan to serve them, but they will keep perfectly well when iced and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Q: Why are my blondies cakey instead of chewy?

A: A cakey texture is typically the result of overmixing the batter after the flour has been added. Once you add the flour, you should only mix until it is just incorporated. Mixing too much develops the gluten, leading to a lighter, more cake-like result. Using melted butter and a higher ratio of brown to white sugar also helps to ensure a perfectly chewy finish.

Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

A: You should be able to! We suggest using a high-quality gluten-free plain flour blend that includes xanthan gum. While the final texture may be slightly altered, the blondies will still be incredibly tasty. Always double-check that your other ingredients, such as the vanilla extract, are also certified gluten-free.

The Ultimate Treat for Any Cinnamon Fan

And there we have it—a recipe that provides the heart-warming comfort of a cinnamon roll within the delightfully simple, chewy format of a blondie. These Cinnamon Roll Blondies are a true celebration of flavour and texture, and we’re confident they will quickly become a cherished favourite in your baking collection. They are wonderful proof that you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to produce a truly show-stopping dessert.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to find your apron and switch on that oven! We are so excited for you to bake these amazing blondies. Please do leave a comment below to let us know how yours turned out. Happy baking from all of us!

Chewy Cinnamon Roll Blondies with Cream Cheese Icing

Our Ultimate Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe: Fudgy, Chewy & Utterly Divine

Why We’re Certain You’ll Adore This Recipe