Introduction

These Pistachio Cream Cinnamon Rolls combine the classic warmth of cinnamon with the rich, nutty flavor of pistachio. Soft, fluffy, and topped with a luscious pistachio cream cheese icing, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or brunch. Get ready to impress with this delightful twist on a favorite.

The image shows a close-up of four cinnamon rolls inside a white ceramic baking dish. Each roll has a soft, golden-brown dough base, with a visible thick layer of white cream cheese frosting swirling over the top. Between the white frosting and dough is a layer of green pistachio paste, peeking through and slightly melted into the roll. The rolls are generously sprinkled with crushed pistachio nuts, adding a textured green and brown topping. One roll is missing, revealing the soft, fluffy inner bread texture and a bit of melted green pistachio filling on the bottom edge. The dish rests on a white marbled surface, creating a clean and bright setting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

For the Dough: Warm milk, instant or active dry yeast, 1 egg, softened butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose or bread flour, salt
For the Filling: Pistachio butter or pistachio cream, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pistachios (optional)
For the Icing: Cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, pistachio butter

Instructions

Step 1: Warm the milk until just lukewarm. Mix it with the yeast and let it sit for a few minutes until foamy. Add in the egg and softened butter.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt, then gradually add to the wet ingredients. Mix until a sticky dough forms. Knead just until smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 4: While the dough rises, mix pistachio butter with brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in chopped pistachios if you like added texture.
Step 5: Once the dough has doubled, roll it out into a rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the pistachio filling evenly over the dough, then roll tightly into a log. Slice into 4 to 6 rolls depending on size preference.
Step 6: Arrange the rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy and touching.
Step 7: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 23–30 minutes, or until golden brown and fully baked through.
Step 8: While the rolls bake, whip the cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and pistachio butter until smooth and creamy.
Step 9: Spread the icing over the warm rolls so it melts into all the layers. Garnish with extra chopped pistachios if desired. Enjoy warm!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, toast the chopped pistachios before adding to the filling for a deeper nuttiness.
You can substitute pistachio butter with almond butter mixed with a little ground pistachio if pistachio butter is unavailable.
Use bread flour for a chewier texture, or all-purpose flour for softer rolls.
To make ahead, shape the rolls and refrigerate overnight before baking in the morning.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warm, then add fresh icing if needed.

How to Serve

The image shows a white square baking dish filled with seven soft, golden-brown cinnamon rolls arranged close together in two rows. Each roll is thickly covered with a creamy, pale green icing that looks smooth and glossy. On top of the icing, there is a generous sprinkle of chopped pistachio nuts, adding texture and a mix of green and brown colors. The baking dish sits on a wooden surface, but the background should be imagined as a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular butter instead of pistachio butter for the filling?

Yes, though the filling won’t have the distinct pistachio flavor. You can mix regular butter with ground or chopped pistachios to mimic the taste.

How do I know when the rolls are fully baked?

The rolls should be golden brown on top and feel soft but springy. You can also insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.