Gluten & Dairy Free Cookies and Cream Cinnamon Rolls (Vegan Option)

If you're craving gluten free and dairy free cinnamon rolls that taste just as good as the gluten desserts you used to eat, you're at the right place. Because these gluten free cookies and cream cinnamon rolls are gooey, chocolatey, easy to make and even easier to devour! And depending on the cookies you use, these can be vegan as well.

I shared this easy gluten free cinnamon rolls recipe first on my Instagram here, which is where I'm most active these days. Follow along at @collegeceliackc to be the first to see a lot of the recipes, restaurant reviews and more that will later be shared on the blog.

A Few Reasons These Cookies and Cream Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls Are a New Family Fave:

Just to get you extra excited to get baking, I wanted to share a few reasons why my family has become obsessed with these gluten free cinnamon rolls:

• The cinnamon roll dough only requires three ingredients, if you don't want to include the extra seasonings/extracts. And NO YEAST is required for these gooey treats.
• The dairy free yogurt that makes up a lot of the cinnamon roll base replaces the typical eggs and dairy needed for cinnamon rolls. Plus, this yogurt keeps the cinnamon rolls moist without the need for any oil in the main base.
• The homemade glaze is super easy to make (and you may never go back to using store-bought frosting ever again)
• The Cookies and Cream filling gives a chocolatey twist to traditional cinnamon rolls, making this the perfect dessert for chocolate lovers and cinnamon roll lovers alike!

So with all that said...let's get baking!

Ingredients For This Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Recipe:

In my experience, this recipe makes enough for 10 medium to large cinnamon rolls.

For the Cinnamon Roll Dough:

2 cups dairy free yogurt (I used So Delicious Coconut Yogurt in the Unsweetened Vanilla flavor)

2 & 1/2 cups gluten free all purpose flour + enough to cover a baking mat (I used King Arthur)

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp of cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cookies and Cream Filling:

3 TBSP coconut sugar (I used my favorite gifted coconut sugar from Foods Alive)

3-4 TBSP crushed gluten free chocolate cookies (I used some gifted My Dad's Cookies, but you can also use Gluten Free Oreos, JoJo's, etc. Use vegan cookies to make this recipe vegan)

1 TBSP cocoa powder 

1 tsp cinnamon

Enough coconut oil or applesauce to wet the dough before adding the filling

For the Cinnamon Roll Glaze:

1/2 cup cashews, boiled for 10 minutes

3 TBSP maple syrup

3 TBSP almond milk

1 tsp vanilla extract 

How To Make This Vegan Cinnamon Roll Recipe:

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Then combine all of the dry ingredients for the dough, followed by your yogurt. Knead the dough until it forms a ball, adding some sprinkles of flour as necessary.

3. Transfer your ball of dough from your mixing bowl to a baking mat rubbed with coconut oil to prevent sticking. Then use a baking roller to roll your dough out into a rectangle that's about a quarter of an inch thick.

4. Add a layer of coconut oil or applesauce on top of your dough. Then mix and spread your filling onto it.

5. Carefully roll your dough into a log, and slice into rolls around 1-inch wide using a knife dipped in flour if needed to help it cut without sticking. Re-dip the knife as needed in flour until all the cinnamon rolls are cut.

6. Place your cinnamon rolls in an oven-safe casserole dish rubbed with coconut oil. Then pop your cinnamon rolls in the oven for 16 to 20 minutes. 

7. While your cinnamon rolls are cooking, boil your 1/2 cup of cashews for 10 minutes. Let cool and then blend with the other glaze ingredients. You can add 1/2-1 TBSP of additional almond milk if needed to blend.

8. Wait for your cinnamon rolls to cool before adding the glaze, as well as an optional cookie crumble (from one additional chocolate cookie) and sprinkles. 

How to Enjoy Your Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

These gluten free cinnamon rolls are best eaten fresh, but can be kept in a sealed storage container for up to 5 days in the fridge. And if you do try out the recipe, I'd love for you to share how the final product turned out and your thoughts on social media and tag me (collegeceliackc on most channels).

Want to Save This Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls Recipe for Later? Pin the recipe below!

And tell me in the comments: what's your favorite gluten free treat to bake?