Baklava Cinnamon Rolls
There’s nothing quite like cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. Warm. Comforting. Instantly nostalgic. These Baklava Cinnamon Rolls take that familiar comfort and give it a rich, honey-soaked upgrade inspired by classic baklava.
Think soft, fluffy dough wrapped around cinnamon sugar and toasted nuts. Walnuts or pistachios add crunch and depth. As the rolls bake, the layers puff and turn golden at the edges. The centers stay tender and pillowy.
Instead of a heavy frosting, these rolls are finished with a warm honey glaze. It seeps into every swirl. Just like baklava syrup. Sweet, sticky, and glossy, but never cloying. A little salt keeps everything balanced.
Perfect for Slow Mornings
These rolls are made for weekends. For holidays. For brunch tables that linger. Serve them warm with coffee or tea. Pull them apart while they’re still gooey. They won’t last long.
That’s the magic here. You get the cozy comfort of a cinnamon roll. You get the nutty, honeyed richness of baklava. Together, they feel special but still approachable. Elevated, not fussy.
They’re indulgent without being too sweet. Impressive without being intimidating. Perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself. If you love cinnamon rolls and baklava, this mashup is one you’ll want to make again and again.
Baklava Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 egg yolk room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp salt
For the Filling
- 1 cup walnuts finely chopped
- ½ cup pistachios finely chopped
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
For the Honey Syrup
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Icing
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ¾ cup warm milk, 2¼ tsp active dry yeast, and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Whisk in the 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, and melted ¼ cup unsalted butter. Add 3 cups all-purpose flour and ¾ tsp salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.¾ cup warm milk, 2¼ tsp active dry yeast, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, 3 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ tsp salt, ¼ cup unsalted butter
- Knead on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes (or 5–6 minutes with a stand mixer) until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1–1½ hours.
- In a bowl, mix 1 cup walnuts, ½ cup pistachios, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground cardamom, ⅛ tsp ground cloves, and Pinch of salt. Set aside.1 cup walnuts, ½ cup pistachios, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, ⅛ tsp ground cloves, ½ tsp ground cardamom
- Punch down the dough and roll it into a 14×18-inch rectangle. Brush evenly with melted ¼ cup unsalted butter, then sprinkle the nut filling all over, gently pressing it into the dough.¼ cup unsalted butter
- Roll tightly from the long side into a log. Slice into 12 even rolls and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F Bake the rolls for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and baked through.
- While the rolls bake, combine ½ cup honey, ¼ cup water, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.½ cup honey, ¼ cup water, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, spoon the warm honey syrup evenly over them, letting it soak into all the cracks and swirls.
- Beat 4 oz cream cheese and 2 tbsp unsalted butter until smooth. Add ¾ cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom 1 tbsp milk until drizzle-able but thick. Drizzle over warm or cooled rolls.1 tsp vanilla extract, 4 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, ¾ cup powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk
