There’s something special about warm, homemade cinnamon rolls, and these are extra amazing because they have a secret ingredient—cottage cheese! It makes them soft, tender, and just a little bit tangy in the best way. Plus, they’ve got plenty of cinnamon-sugar goodness in every bite.
If you’ve never made cinnamon rolls from scratch before, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through every step. And trust me, your kitchen is going to smell incredible.
What You’ll Need
For the Dough:
- 1 cup cottage cheese (small curd)
- ¼ cup milk (warm)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
⭐ Room Temp Ingredients: Let the cottage cheese, egg, and butter sit out for a bit before using. It helps everything mix better.
⭐ Don’t Skip the Kneading: It makes the dough soft and stretchy! If it’s sticky, sprinkle a little flour.
⭐ Roll Tight but Not Too Tight: You want those pretty swirls to stay put, but don’t squish the dough.
⭐ Use Dental Floss to Cut: It keeps your rolls from getting squished! Just slide it under the roll, cross it over, and pull.
⭐ Bake Until Just Golden: Overbaking makes them dry, so take them out as soon as the tops turn golden brown.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or dental floss
- 9-inch baking dish
- Small bowls for ingredients
- Clean kitchen towel
Substitutions & Variations
✔️ No Cottage Cheese? Use Greek yogurt or ricotta instead.
✔️ Make Them Healthier: Swap half the flour for whole wheat and reduce sugar slightly.
✔️ Add Nuts or Raisins: Mix in chopped pecans or raisins into the filling for extra texture.
✔️ Maple Glaze Option: Swap vanilla extract for maple syrup in the glaze for a cozy twist.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Cinnamon Rolls
1. Blend the Wet Ingredients
In a blender or food processor, mix cottage cheese, warm milk, melted butter, sugar, egg, and salt until smooth.
2. Activate the Yeast & Make the Dough
Pour the blended mixture into a bowl. Stir in instant yeast and flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth.
3. Let the Dough Rise
Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Roll Out & Add Filling
Roll the dough into a 12×10-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter all over, then sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly.
5. Roll & Slice
Roll up the dough tightly into a log, then cut into 8-10 equal rolls.
6. Second Rise
Place rolls in a greased baking dish, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes.
7. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
8. Make & Drizzle the Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, then drizzle over warm rolls.
Leftovers & Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them soft again.
Enjoy!
These cottage cheese cinnamon rolls are warm, fluffy, and full of cinnamon-sugar goodness! Let me know if you try them—drop a comment below with your thoughts or any questions! Happy baking! 😊💕
