Cinnamon Roll Honeybun Cheesecake: The Ultimate Indulgence
Prepare yourself for a dessert mash-up that will redefine your definition of "decadent." We're talking about a Cinnamon Roll Honeybun Cheesecake—the creamy, tangy richness of cheesecake meets the sweet, sticky, spice of a honeybun, all nestled on a cinnamon roll crust. This isn't just a dessert; it's an experience. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or just a Saturday when you need a serious treat!
The Star of the Show: The Crust
Forget the graham cracker crust; for this masterpiece, we are using actual cinnamon rolls! This not only gives the cheesecake a wonderful, chewy base but infuses every bite with that classic cinnamon-sugar warmth.
Ingredients for the Cinnamon Roll Crust
1 (12.4 ounce) tube of store-bought refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing (we'll save the icing for later!)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions for the Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.
Unroll the cinnamon rolls and arrange them in the bottom of the springform pan, pressing them together to form an even layer.
Brush the melted butter over the cinnamon roll dough.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
The Rich Cheesecake Filling
This filling is extra creamy and features a subtle honey and brown sugar flavor to mimic the honeybun element.
Ingredients for the Filling
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 large eggs
Instructions for the Filling
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and cinnamon with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps!
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until each is incorporated. Do not overmix.
Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled cinnamon roll crust in the springform pan.
Baking and Cooling the Cheesecake
We recommend a water bath (Bain Marie) for the creamiest, crack-free cheesecake.
Instructions for Baking
Prepare a large roasting pan with about an inch of water. Carefully place the springform pan inside the roasting pan. Pro Tip: Wrap the bottom of the springform pan tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent any water from seeping in.
Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is still slightly wobbly.
Turn off the oven and prop the door open slightly. Let the cheesecake cool inside the oven for 1 hour. This slow cooling helps prevent cracks.
Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and place it on a wire rack. Let it cool completely to room temperature, about 1-2 hours.
Once cooled, cover and refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight, before adding the topping.
The Sticky, Sweet Topping
This is where the "Honeybun" truly comes alive! We'll use the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls and add a simple glaze.
Ingredients for the Topping
Reserved icing from the cinnamon roll package
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions for the Topping
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until a smooth, pourable glaze forms.
Remove the chilled cheesecake from the springform pan.
Warm the reserved cinnamon roll icing for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave to make it easy to drizzle.
Drizzle the warmed cinnamon roll icing over the top of the cheesecake.
Drizzle the powdered sugar glaze over the cheesecake.
Get the Recipe!
This recipe is one you'll want to save! If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out our upcoming post on Date for our next over-the-top dessert!