Dessert

Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

ByMaya Arden November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

Introduction

Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread is a delightful treat perfect for sharing with family and friends. Soft, buttery dough pieces coated in cinnamon sugar and topped with a sweet crumble make every bite irresistible. Drizzled with cream cheese frosting, this pull-apart bread is sure to become a favorite in your home.

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 the oven to 400°F. Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to easily lift out the bread later.

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture comes together as 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 palms.
Step 4: In one small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar. Place the melted butter in another small bowl.

Step 5: Drop 3 to 4 dough balls into the melted butter and roll them around to coat evenly.
Step 6: Transfer the butter-coated dough balls to the cinnamon sugar mixture and roll to coat evenly. Arrange the coated balls in a single layer in the prepared baking pan.
Step 7: Repeat the butter and cinnamon sugar coating with the remaining dough balls and place them in the pan.

Step 8: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the dough balls in the pan.
Step 9: Bake for 23 to 26 minutes, or until the bread is golden and bubbly. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment paper overhang. Transfer to a serving plate or cutting board.
Step 10: While the bread is baking and cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. Beat together the softened butter and cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth and fluffy.

Step 11: Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Beat again until fully combined and smooth. 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 top of the cinnamon pull-apart bread before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the crumble topping before baking.

Substitute the fresh pizza dough with frozen dough that’s been thawed for convenience.
Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the cinnamon sugar for a warm spice twist.
If you prefer a glaze instead of frosting, drizzle a simple powdered sugar icing over the bread.

Storage

Store the cinnamon pull apart bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven to restore softness before serving. Cream cheese frosting is best added fresh but can be stored separately in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a cinnamon roll wreath made of many small, round cinnamon rolls stuck together in a circle. Each roll is light brown with a slightly crispy texture on top, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with thick white icing piped in a crisscross pattern. One roll is being held gently by a woman's hand on the left side, showing more detail of the cinnamon sugar and soft inside. The rolls rest on white parchment paper placed on a wooden cutting board, with cinnamon sticks laid nearby. The background has a white marbled texture with blurred stacked white plates and more cinnamon rolls visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought pizza dough works well and saves time. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before cutting and rolling.

What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?

You can omit the cream cheese and make a simple butter and powdered sugar glaze instead, or use mascarpone cheese as a substitute for a similar texture and flavor.