Sweet and Gooey Taco Bell Cinnabon Delights Copycat Recipe

Craving those craveworthy, irresistible Taco Bell Cinnabon Delights but don’t want to leave the house? Get your fix of warm, fried, ooey-gooey cinnamon buns with this easy copycat recipe. With just 20 minutes of prep time, you can recreate this popular fast food dessert in your own kitchen. Read on to learn how!

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Key Takeaways

Taco Bell’s Cinnabon Delights consist of fried, cinnamon sugar dough and sweet cream cheese filling.
This copycat recipe allows you to recreate this popular fast food dessert at home with just a few affordable ingredients.
Making the cinnamon bun dough and cream cheese filling from scratch takes just 20 minutes prep time.
Frying gives the Delights their iconic crispy, golden exterior but you can also bake them.
Customize the recipe to your liking by trying different fillings inside.

Recipe Dynamics

Introduced in 2010, Taco Bell’s Cinnabon Delights quickly became a beloved menu item among fans of the Mexican fast food chain. These delicious pastries consist of fried, sweet dough loaded with cream cheese frosting. The combination of rich cream cheese and cinnamony fried dough made them an instant hit. Their popularity persists over a decade later.

Making these crave-able delights requires just a few affordable ingredients. Read on for the complete copycat recipe so you can indulge those Taco Bell cinnamon bun cravings at home!

Key Components

To make about 12 Cinnabon Delight copycats, you’ll need:

Cinnamon Bun Dough

2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp white sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1⁄2 tsp salt
1⁄4 cup butter, melted
3⁄4 cup milk
1 egg
1 1⁄2 tsp ground cinnamon
1⁄4 cup brown sugar

Cream Cheese Filling

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp milk
1⁄4 cup powdered sugar

Additional

Vegetable or canola oil for frying
Cinnamon sugar topping

Essential Gear

Large & medium mixing bowls
Rolling pin
Baking sheet
Mixing spoon
Measuring cups & spoons
Knife
Cutting board
Deep pot or pan for frying
Slotted spoon
Parchment paper

Alternative Ingredients for Dietary Restrictions

To make this recipe gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend (make sure to choose one that includes xanthan gum). Vegans can substitute dairy milk with almond milk, traditional butter with vegan butter, and use dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping.

Step-by-Step Cinnabon Delights Recipe

Follow these simple steps to enjoy hot, fresh, homemade copycat Cinnabon Delights in under an hour.

Make the Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk and egg.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon until a sticky dough forms.
Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 2 minutes. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.
Shape dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Prepare the Filling

While dough rests, in a medium bowl use an electric mixer to beat together the cream cheese, milk, and powdered sugar until smooth. Set filling aside.

Shape the Delights

Deflate risen dough and place on a floured surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll into a 10×8 inch rectangle.
Brush dough all over with 1 1⁄2 tsp ground cinnamon mixed with 1⁄4 cup brown sugar.
Dollop cream cheese filling evenly over dough rectangle.
Starting from a long side, tight roll up into a log and pinch seam to seal.
Use a serrated knife to cut log into 12 equal pieces.

Fry and Top the Delights

Heat 1 1⁄2 inches oil to 350°F in a deep pot. Working in batches, fry Delights for 1 minute per side until golden brown.
Transfer fried Delights to paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.
While still warm, roll Delights in cinnamon sugar topping until coated on all sides.
Enjoy warm!

Nutritional Notes

1 Cinnabon Delight (based on this recipe) has approximately:

Calories: 274
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 51mg

The cream cheese filling provides a good source of calcium and protein, while the cinnamon can help with blood sugar regulation and digestion. However, keep in mind that this dessert is high in sugar and fat.

Tips for a Diet-Friendly Version

Reduce the amount of filling
Replace the granulated sugar in the dough with a sugar substitute
Make smaller dough balls for portion control

Potential Pitfalls

Dough too dry: Add more milk for optimal consistency.
Filling leaks out: Pinch seam tightly closed when rolling dough.
Uneven frying: Allow oil to reheat between batches for even browning.

Insider Tips & Secrets

For an extra pop of flavor, add a bit of orange, lemon, or lime zest to the dough or cream cheese filling.
You can also use a mini-muffin pan to bake the Cinnabon Delights. Grease the mini-muffin pan, add small balls of dough, and bake as instructed above in the FAQ section.
If you prefer, you can roll out the rested dough and use a round cookie cutter to create donut-shaped Cinnabon Delights.
For an extra-special touch, drizzle completed Cinnabon Delights with melted chocolate or caramel sauce.
Customize filling flavors by using different cream cheese spreads or preserves.
Store unused filling in fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat leftover delights in microwave or oven.

Now, you can indulge those Taco Bell cravings from your own kitchen! This copycat recipe produces hot, fried cinnamon buns bursting with sweet cream cheese filling just like the beloved original fast food version.

So next time a Cinnabon Delight craving strikes, don’t run to the drive-thru. Whip up this easy 20-minute recipe instead!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about Taco Bell Cinnabon Delights and our copycat recipe:

Q: Can I bake the Cinnabon Delights instead of frying them?

A: Yes! To bake the Cinnabon Delights, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Form your dough balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden. Once baked, roll your dough balls in cinnamon sugar and then fill them with the cream cheese mixture, as described in the original recipe.

Q: Do I need a deep fryer or can I use a regular frying pan for this recipe?

A: A deep fryer is not necessary for this recipe; you can use a regular frying pan. Make sure the pan is deep enough to cover your dough balls with oil. Fill the pan with an appropriate amount of oil, heat it up to the right temperature, and be careful when adding the dough balls to avoid spattering.

Q: Can I freeze Cinnabon Delights?

A: Yes, you can freeze the Cinnabon Delights both before and after frying. To freeze before frying, place the dough balls on a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze them until solid; then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Defrost them in the fridge before frying. To freeze after frying, let the cooked and filled dough balls cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container. To enjoy them later, defrost them in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave or oven before serving.

Q: How can I ensure that my dough balls are properly cooked?

A: Cooking time may vary, but on average, each Cinnabon Delight should take around 2-3 minutes to cook through. To ensure proper cooking, use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F (180°C). Cook dough balls in batches, and periodically cut one open to check if it’s cooked through. Adjust the cooking time as needed.

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Vanshika

Hello, I'm Vanshika Siddiqui, but you might know me better as 'The Lazy Chef.' My culinary journey is all about embracing the vast, vibrant world of flavors and bringing them right into your kitchen. I've always believed in the beauty of simple, lazy chef cooking, where the essence of global cuisine meets the ease of everyday meals.

On my website, The Lazy Chef Cooking, I share a treasure trove of easy cooking recipes and quick meal ideas, sprinkled with some of my favorite kitchen hacks. My goal is to help you master the art of effortless cooking, guiding you through an array of diverse cuisines. Each recipe I share is more than just a dish; it's a story, a memory, a little piece of the world, lovingly crafted with a dash of magic and a whole lot of heart.

Join me in this exciting culinary adventure, where we celebrate the joy of creating delightful, simple meals that resonate with tastes from around the globe. Together, let's cook up something wonderful, no matter where we are in the world!