Cinnamon Cream Cheese Puffs

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These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Pastry Puffs are our copycat version of McDonald’sย petite breakfast pastries. Made simply with Pillsbury biscuit dough and stuffed with a 3-ingredient cream cheese filling.

a stack of cream cheese pastry puffs with one cut in half

When Matt and I were on a weekend getaway in May, we started out on our road trip full of coffee and didn’t feel like eating breakfast. I am notorious for this. Coffee staves off my hunger, for a time at least. Then mid-morning hits and I realize I am super hungry and don’tย have anything in my belly but coffee.ย It’s a problem.

So when Matt and I were about 45 minutes into our trip, I knew I needed food. The closest thing was McDonalds, so I jumped at the chance for fast-food. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw an advertisement for their Petite Pastries. ย Biscuit dough stuffed with sweet cream cheese filling? I’m all about that and just had to try them. ย They were good and definitely helped my hunger-grumpiness to go away. The whole time I was eating it I kept telling Matt, “These would be so easy to make!” ย 

And Cinnamon Cream Cheese Pastry Puffs were born. It’s like a cream cheese danish made quickly and easily.

cream cheese pastry puffs with one broken in half

What biscuits are best to use for baking?

I tried several different Pillsbury puff pastry doughs and theย Grands!ยฎJr. Golden Layers Butter Tastin’ Biscuitsย worked the best. ย After all, with a name like “Butter Tastin'”, you can imagine why!

Using refrigerated biscuits make this an easy recipe for a delicious dessert or brunch.

How to Make Cinnamon Cream Cheese Puffs

  • Whip up the cream cheese mixture in a small bowl. It’s just full fat cream cheese, powdered sugar and cinnamon. You can add a touch of vanilla extract if you’d like. Soften the cream cheese so it blends easily.
  • Press each biscuit out into a rectangle form, about 4 inches by 3 inches, being careful not to break a hole in the dough. I pressed mine out right onto my Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat. (If you don’t have one of these baking mats, I highly recommend it! Or you can use parchment paper.)
  • Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the filling into the center of each biscuit. Be careful not to put too much or the cream cheese will ooze out while baking.
biscuit dough with cream cheese on top
  1. Fold the long sidesย in, overlapping the edges, then fold the ends under, pressing the seams just very gently to help them seal. Turn the pastries over, placing them seam-side down on the baking tray.
unbaked biscuit dough
  1. Whisk an egg ย in a small bowl, then brush the tops of the pastries with egg wash. Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar. I love this part, because it gives a crunchy sweetness to the tops of the golden brown pastries.
brushing egg wash over unbaked biscuits
  1. Bake these just 12 short minutes in a 375 oven and you have a heavenly, cinnamony, cream cheese puff pastry. Our very own copycat version of McDonald’s Petite Pastries. If you’d like, drizzle powdered sugar glaze over the top.
baked cinnamon cream cheese puffs on a baking mat

I’m not proud to say that Matt and I downed this entire batch of pastries on our own. We ate a few fresh from the oven. And we ate a few the next morning straight from the fridge. ย I was surprised how good they were cold from the refrigerator. They reminded me of cinnamon cheesecake. Or you could reheat the leftovers in an air fryer.

Other Recipes to Love

This 6-ingredient, under 30 minute, semi-homemadeย recipe is pure deliciousness! Serve them as a side with our sweet and spicy chili.

a stack of cream cheese pastry puffs with one cut in half
a stack of cream cheese pastry puffs with one cut in half

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Puffs

5 from 5 votes
These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Puffs are our copycat version of McDonalds petite breakfast pastries. Made simply with Pillsbury biscuit dough and stuffed with a 3-ingredient cream cheese filling.
Servings 10
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes

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Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 12 ounces tube Grands!ยฎJr. Golden Layers Butter Tastin’ Biscuits 1 tube
  • 1 large egg for egg wash
  • Coarse sugar for sprinkling on top

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375ยบF.
  • In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and cinnamon until creamy. Set aside. 8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • On a non-sticking baking sheet, press each biscuit out into a rectangle form, about 4 inches by 3 inches, being careful not to break a hole in the dough. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the filling into the center of each biscuit. Fold the long sides in, overlapping the edges, then fold the ends under, pressing the seams just very gently to help them seal. Turn the pastries over, placing them seam-side down. 12 ounces tube Grands!ยฎJr. Golden Layers Butter Tastin’ Biscuits
  • Whisk an egg in a small bowl, then brush the tops of the pastries with egg wash. Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar. 1 large egg, Coarse sugar for sprinkling on top
  • Bake for 12 minutes. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and refrigerate.

Video

Notes

Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe making 10 pastries, with 1 serving being 1 pastry. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 427mg | Potassium: 120mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 330IU | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1.4mg
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Calories 242
Keyword easy breakfast recipe
About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)
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Anna Jones
7 years ago

I really want to make these but I only have actual puff pastry, is that okay? Like just cutting the sheet into little squares and doing the same thing?

elena z.
8 years ago

I made these for the first time today and they are very tasty!!! Next time i want to try making savory kind with cream cheese, chopped dill and garlic powder. Or how about salmon cream cheese? I think they would taste very good,too.

Ashley Westbrook
8 years ago

Making these tonight with my boyfriend and best friend! Loved these when McDonalds had them…thanks so much for the recipe!! ๐Ÿ™‚

Zoe Nells
9 years ago

These look perfect, Im just wondering if they are better right out of the oven or let them sit in the fridge for a while.

Kassis
9 years ago

OMG is what I have to say. I used great value biscuits from Walmart. Cut each one into 4 little triangles. Flated each one after it was cut. Place 1/2 tsp on each little triangle. Brought the 2 longest points/corners together and pressed edges together. While making these I forgot how I was putting them together I started bringing all corners together and sealing them by pressing edges together. I keep doing both styles. Some looked like wontons and pot stickers. Shape doesn’t change the taste. They are so good with a glass of warm milk. I found this recipe… Read more »

Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling
10 years ago

These little bites look fabulous!!! Perfect with a big cup of coffee ๐Ÿ™‚

CJ Huang
10 years ago

We definitely like pastry puffs, although we haven’t had the ones at McDonalds. Your recipe looks like a tasty one! I hope you can stop on by and share this or any other recipe with us on Five Friday Finds! ๐Ÿ™‚

dina
10 years ago

they look yummy!

Jenna
10 years ago

I wish I had one right now!

Elizabeth
10 years ago

How easy and yummy! I thought for sure these would take hours when I saw the picture, but still couldn’t help myself from stopping over!! So glad I did. Thanks for sharing!

Karen
10 years ago

These look absolutely wonderful! Pinned.

Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner
10 years ago

These look fantastic! They look like little pillows of creamy goodness!

Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
10 years ago

These sound so easy – and I love the idea of a cinnamony cream cheese!

Thalia @ butter and brioche
10 years ago

these pastry puffs look seriously divine.. i love the cinnamon cream cheese filling. yum!

Melanie @ Carmel Moments
10 years ago

Looks like a winner to me. I bet my hubby would down these all by himself. He loves cream cheese.
Gotta give them a try some time.
Have an awesome day!