Name: Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: PT-491151H36M26S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 550 g bread flour; 100 g granulated white sugar; 500 ml warm water; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast (7 grams) or active dry yeast (see note); 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 3 Tablespoons melted butter; 1½ Tablespoons ground cinnamon; 2 Tablespoons granulated white sugar; 6 Tablespoons melted butter; 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1 Tablespoon granulated white sugar; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream; 2 Tablespoons softened butter; 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Jump to Recipe

If you adore the warm, gooey sweetness of cinnamon rolls but crave something with a bit of a rustic twist, this Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It marries the soft, pillowy texture of focaccia bread with the irresistible flavors of cinnamon sugar swirls, all finished off with a luscious cream cheese frosting. This delightful fusion brings together the best of both worlds – comfort food with a fresh, unexpected flair. Prepare to impress your friends, family, or just yourself with this heavenly, shareable treat that smells as good as it tastes.

The image shows a rectangle of cinnamon rolls covered with creamy white icing on top, resting on a black wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. The cinnamon rolls are visible underneath the thick, smooth icing with uneven patches showing the brown cinnamon swirls beneath. The icing looks soft and slightly dripping over the edges of the rolls. The rolls are arranged close together, filling the whole rectangle with a golden-brown color visible through the icing. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t let the number of ingredients intimidate you – they’re all simple, straightforward essentials that work in perfect harmony to create that magical soft texture, sweet cinnamon flavor, and the rich glaze that makes this focaccia truly special.

Bread flour (550 g): Provides structure and chewiness for a perfect focaccia base.
Granulated white sugar (100 g + additional): Sweetens the dough and adds a little sparkle to the cinnamon filling and glaze.
Warm water (500 ml): Activates the yeast and hydrates the dough for softness.
Sea salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors without overpowering the sweetness.
Instant dry yeast (2 teaspoons): Gives the dough its beautiful rise and fluffy texture.
Olive oil (1 Tablespoon): Adds slight richness and helps keep the dough tender.
Melted butter (3 Tablespoons + more): Coats the pan and forms part of the luscious cinnamon sugar butter glaze.
Ground cinnamon (1½ Tablespoons + 1 Tablespoon): The star spice that fills and tops this focaccia with warm, cozy flavor.
Cream cheese (8 ounces): Key to the irresistibly creamy frosting topping.
Heavy whipping cream (3 Tablespoons): Whips the cream cheese frosting to silky perfection.
Softened butter (2 Tablespoons): Blended into the frosting for smoothness.
Powdered sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the cream cheese frosting without graininess.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

First things first, take out your cream cheese and butter so they can soften to room temperature. This little step prevents pesky lumps in your frosting later on and makes mixing much easier. Have everything measured and ready to go, and let’s dive into the magic of dough making.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together warm water, sugar, salt, yeast, and olive oil until everything is mingling nicely. Add your bread flour and mix with a Danish dough hook or wooden spoon until the dough feels wet and sticky – this is perfect. Cover it with a tea towel and let it rest for 10 minutes. A quick note if you use active dry yeast: dissolve it first in warm water with a pinch of sugar and wait for it to foam, ensuring your dough rises beautifully.

Step 3: Strengthen the Dough with Stretch and Folds

Time to build that dough strength with some hands-on love! Wet your hands and gently stretch the dough from the sides, folding it over itself at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. Cover and rest 10 minutes. Then repeat the coil method by lifting the dough’s center and folding it using its own weight, turning the bowl 90 degrees each time. These stretches repeated every 10 minutes, four times over, develop the gluten, making your focaccia irresistibly chewy and airy.

Step 4: First Rise

Oil your bowl and dough generously, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and a tea towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1½ hours or refrigerate it anywhere from 4 to 12 hours to develop extra flavor.

Step 5: Prep the Dough for Filling

Once risen, remove the plastic wrap and gently move the bowl back and forth to release some gases. Butter a 9″x13″ inch baking pan with melted butter. Transfer the dough to the pan – it might deflate slightly, which is totally normal. Sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mix evenly over the dough, fold the dough into thirds to seal in the cinnamon goodness, rotate, and flip it so the smooth side is on top.

Step 6: Second Rise

Cover the pan again and let the dough puff up for another hour in a warm spot. Watch it stretch to fill the corners – this means it’s ready to bake!

Step 7: Preheat Oven and Prepare Glazes

Set your oven to 450°F (232°C). While warming, whip up the cream cheese frosting until fluffy and smooth. Also melt butter with cinnamon and sugar for the glossy glaze.

Step 8: Score and Dimple the Dough

Cut the dough right in the pan into 12 equal pieces or your preferred division. Oil your fingertips and press softly into the dough to create enticing dimples and coax the bubbles to the surface. Pour the cinnamon butter glaze over, letting it pool deliciously into every nook.

Step 9: Bake and Finish

Bake on the center rack for 20-22 minutes until golden and puffed but watch the glaze so it doesn’t burn. Let the focaccia rest in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. While still warm, generously slather the cream cheese frosting on top for that final touch of creamy sweetness.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe

The image shows a square batch of cinnamon rolls arranged in a 3x3 grid on a black cooling rack over a white marbled surface. The cinnamon rolls are golden brown with visible swirls of cinnamon inside, covered generously with creamy off-white icing that drips slightly between the rolls. One cinnamon roll is pulled out from the lower left corner, revealing the soft, airy, and fluffy texture inside with small holes typical of fresh bread. The icing is smooth and slightly glossy, evenly coating the top of each roll. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To amp up the visual delight and flavor, consider sprinkling some chopped toasted pecans or slivered almonds on top after glazing. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving can make your Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe look even more irresistible and bakery-worthy.

Side Dishes

This sweet focaccia pairs exceptionally well with a hot cup of coffee or tea for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. For a more substantial snack, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a bowl of vanilla yogurt, balancing richness with refreshing brightness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving your cinnamon roll focaccia slices on a rustic wooden board with small jars of honey, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for dipping. You can also cut it into mini squares and serve as finger food at gatherings – it’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, wrap leftover focaccia tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for about 4 days. Rewarming gently keeps it soft and delightful.

Freezing

If you want to keep your Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe for longer, slice it before freezing and separate layers with parchment paper. Wrap tightly in foil or freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Warm slices in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave for about 20 seconds, but the oven method better restores that fresh-baked texture and brings back the shine of the glaze.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast in this Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe?

Absolutely! Just dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it foam for 5-10 minutes before mixing with other ingredients. This ‘activation’ step ensures your dough will rise beautifully.

Is this Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe very sweet?

It has a balanced sweetness – enough to satisfy your cinnamon roll cravings without being overwhelming. The cream cheese frosting adds a rich finish, but the bread itself remains soft and bread-like rather than dessert-sweet.

Can I substitute all-purpose flour for bread flour?

You can use all-purpose flour, but your focaccia might be slightly less chewy and airy since bread flour has a higher protein content, which gives the dough its characteristic texture.

What is the best way to make sure my dough rises well?

Keeping your dough in a warm, draft-free spot is key. If your kitchen is cold, a lightly warmed oven (turned off) or the top of a radiator can be ideal places for the dough to grow happy and fluffy.

Can I make this recipe vegan-friendly?

With some adjustments like using plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, plus a suitable egg substitute if needed, you can create a vegan version. The dough’s rise and texture may vary slightly, but it can still be delicious.

Final Thoughts

You’ve just discovered a truly special treat in the Cinnamon Roll Focaccia Recipe. It’s the kind of recipe that brings warmth to the kitchen and smiles to the table. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack, baking this delightful fusion bread is sure to become a welcomed tradition. So give it a try, and watch your friends rave about your baking skills!