Dessert

Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

ByJeannette Jaeger February 28, 2026February 28, 2026

Introduction

This Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread is a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Soft, fluffy dough balls coated in cinnamon sugar, topped with a crumbly crumble, and finished with a creamy cream cheese frosting make each bite irresistible. It’s simple to prepare and sure to impress your family and friends.

A piece of cinnamon roll is held by a woman’s hand, showing the soft inner layers with a light brown cinnamon swirl and a crumbly textured top coated in a thin layer of white icing. The roll is part of a larger group of similar cinnamon rolls arranged closely on a white parchment paper over a wooden cutting board. Each roll has a crumbly golden brown top with visible cinnamon specks and is topped with intersecting stripes of white icing forming a lattice pattern. Cinnamon sticks and some cinnamon powder are scattered near the board. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 pound fresh pizza dough, cut into 1-inch pieces and rolled into balls
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons heavy whipping cream

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture forms a crumble. Set aside.
Step 3: Cut the fresh pizza dough into about 25 small pieces and roll each piece into a ball using your palm.
Step 4: In one small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar. Place the melted butter in a separate small bowl.
Step 5: Drop 3 to 4 dough balls into the melted butter and roll to coat evenly.
Step 6: Roll the butter-coated dough balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat well, then place them in a single layer in the prepared pan.
Step 7: Repeat the butter and cinnamon sugar coating steps until all dough balls are coated and placed in the pan.
Step 8: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the arranged dough balls.
Step 9: Bake for 20 to 23 minutes until the pull-aparts are golden and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then lift out using the parchment paper and transfer to a serving plate.
Step 10: While baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
Step 11: Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar, and beat until combined. Gradually add heavy cream and beat for 1 to 2 minutes until the frosting is smooth and pipeable.
Step 12: Pipe a criss-cross pattern of the cream cheese frosting over the cooled pull-aparts for a beautiful finish.

Tips & Variations

Use refrigerated pizza dough for convenience or homemade dough for extra freshness.
For extra flavor, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a richer taste.
For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives and a plant-based milk for the frosting.

Storage

Store the cinnamon pull apart bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to enjoy the soft texture. The cream cheese frosting is best added fresh but can be stored separately refrigerated for up to 3 days.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a rectangular baking pan filled with golden brown baked cinnamon rolls. The rolls are tightly packed in one layer, showing a soft texture and a slightly crispy outer crust. A thick layer of white icing is drizzled unevenly over the top, melting and pooling in the gaps between the rolls. The pan sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough from scratch instead of using pizza dough?

Yes, you can use your favorite homemade yeast dough recipe as a substitute. Just ensure the dough is soft and pliable for the best pull-apart texture.