Cheese And Cinnamon Sugar: A Surprising Flavor Match

Cinnamon and sugar are a classic combination, and when mixed with cream cheese, they make a delicious spread. This spread can be used on toast, bagels, muffins, pancakes, or even as a dip for apple slices. You can also make cinnamon sugar cream cheese roll-ups with tortillas, or use it as a frosting for cupcakes or cakes. While you can use any type of cinnamon for this, it's recommended to use Ceylon cinnamon as it has more health benefits and a better taste than the more common Cassia cinnamon.

Cinnamon sugar cream cheese toast

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 slices of white sandwich bread (or wheat or brioche)
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• A pinch of salt

Optional ingredients:

• Walnuts or pecans
• Honey
• Seasonal fruit (berries, peaches, apple slices)

Instructions:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Make the cinnamon sugar topping by combining the cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir until the cinnamon and sugar are evenly mixed in. Set aside.

In another bowl, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir until combined.

Butter one side of each slice of bread. On the other side of the bread, spread 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture, covering the entire surface. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Place 1-2 slices of bread into the air fryer, butter-side down. Cook for 4 minutes or until the desired doneness is achieved. If the bottom of the toast is not crispy enough, add more time in 1-minute increments.

Serve the cinnamon sugar cream cheese toast warm, straight out of the air fryer. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Tips:

• You can adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar to your taste.
• Try adding some texture by folding in chopped walnuts or pecans to the cream cheese mixture.
• For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle honey on top or serve with seasonal fruit.

Cinnamon cream cheese roll-ups

Ingredients:

• 10-12 slices of white bread
• 4-5 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2-3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2-1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2-2/3 cup butter, melted

Optional Ingredients:

• Mini chocolate chips
• Chopped nuts
• Wheat bread
• Nutmeg or pumpkin spice
• Different flavours of cream cheese
• Cooked apples
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Nutella
• Peaches

Utensils:

• Rolling pin
• 2 shallow dishes/pie plates
• Baking sheet
• Air fryer (optional)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Cut off the crusts of the bread and flatten each slice with a rolling pin.
• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cinnamon until well blended.
• Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto each slice of flattened bread and roll up.
• Dip each rolled bread into melted butter and then into a separate mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
• Place the roll-ups on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Storage:

You can store these roll-ups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days and reheat them in the oven or microwave when needed.

Cinnamon cream cheese frosting

Ingredients

• Cream cheese (softened)
• Butter (unsalted/salted, softened)
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon is recommended)
• Powdered/confectioner's sugar

Optional Ingredients

• Walnuts or pecans
• Honey or seasonal fruit

Utensils

• Electric mixer
• Mixing bowl
• Airtight container
• Freezer-safe container

Method

• Combine the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.
• Mix the ingredients on medium speed until they are fully incorporated (about 2 minutes).
• Add the powdered sugar and cinnamon to the bowl.
• Start mixing on the lowest setting until the cream cheese, butter, and sugar come together (about 30 seconds).
• Stop mixing and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
• Increase the speed to medium-high and mix until the frosting becomes light and fluffy (30-45 seconds).
• Taste the frosting and adjust the cinnamon and vanilla extract to your preference.

Tips

• If the frosting is too thin, refrigerate it for an hour to let the butter and cream cheese firm up. You can also add more powdered sugar or cornstarch to thicken it.
• If you plan to pipe the frosting, use equal parts cream cheese and butter for a smoother texture.
• Ceylon cinnamon is considered the "true cinnamon" and has more health benefits than Cassia cinnamon, which is more commonly found in stores.
• Cinnamon cream cheese frosting goes well with anything containing pumpkin, such as cakes or cupcakes.

Storage

• Cinnamon cream cheese frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• To use the frosting again, bring it to room temperature and stir it to make it creamy.
• The frosting can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using it.

Cinnamon cream cheese spread

Ingredients

• 1 block (8 ounces) of whipped cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (or 3 for a sweeter spread)
• 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of toasted walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon of milk (optional)

Method

• Beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended and creamy.
• Stir in the walnuts or pecans.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions

• Spread on bagels or toast
• Dip for apple slices, pretzels, or graham crackers
• Top with a drizzle of honey or seasonal fruit like berries or peaches
• Use as a filling for Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Toast

Cinnamon sugar cream cheese pancakes

Cinnamon and sugar are a classic combination, and when you add cream cheese to the mix, you get a delicious treat that's perfect for breakfast or dessert. Here's a recipe for cinnamon sugar cream cheese pancakes that's sure to impress!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk (or more, if batter is too thick)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, and egg.
• Heat a large skillet or griddle over low heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
• Prepare the cinnamon filling by mixing the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Scoop the filling into a small ziplock bag and set aside for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
• Make the cream cheese glaze by heating the butter and cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl until melted. Whisk together until smooth, then stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Set aside.
• Pour about 1/2 cup of the batter onto the skillet.
• Snip the corner of the cinnamon filling bag and squeeze a spiral of the filling onto the pancake.
• Cook until bubbles begin to appear, then carefully flip the pancake with a spatula and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until lightly browned.
• Transfer the pancake to a plate and keep warm while you repeat with the remaining batter.
• Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the pancakes and serve warm.

Cheese and Cinnamon

Now, let's talk about the cheese that goes well with cinnamon sugar flavor. While cream cheese is a popular pairing, other cheeses can also complement cinnamon sugar flavors. Here are some options:

• Ricotta cheese: Similar to cream cheese, ricotta has a mild, creamy flavor that can balance the sweetness of cinnamon sugar.
• Burrata cheese: This soft, creamy cheese can add a rich, indulgent touch to cinnamon sugar dishes.
• Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese has a mild flavor and a creamy texture that can work well with cinnamon sugar.
• Cream cheese: Cream cheese is a classic pairing with cinnamon sugar, as seen in the pancake recipe above. Its tanginess and creaminess balance the sweetness of cinnamon sugar.

Frequently asked questions