Pistachio cream cinnamon rolls marry flaky puff pastry with a decadent pistachio-mascarpone swirl — a fast, elegant take on classic rolls. These easy pistachio cinnamon rolls are perfect for brunch, tea, or entertaining when you want something showy without a long dough rise.
Prep Time: 15 mins • Cook Time: 20 mins • Total Time: 35 mins • Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1 (17.3 oz) package puff pastry, thawed
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese, divided (½ cup + ½ cup)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 3/4 cup pistachio cream (store-bought or homemade), divided
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a 9×13-inch pan.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, mix ½ cup mascarpone, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and 1/8 tsp salt until smooth to make the pistachio–mascarpone filling.
Step 3
Roll each thawed pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle. Spread half of the filling evenly over each sheet, sprinkle with half the chopped pistachios, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons pistachio cream on each sheet.
Step 4
Roll each sheet tightly into a log (seam side down). Slice each log into six 1-inch pinwheels and arrange cut-side up on the prepared sheet or pan.
Step 5
Bake at 400°F (200°C) until puffed and lightly golden, 20–25 minutes. While rolls are warm, make the glaze: beat remaining mascarpone, pistachio cream, heavy cream, and salt until combined; slowly add powdered sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy.
Step 6
Spread glaze over warm rolls and garnish with extra chopped pistachios. Serve warm.
Cook’s Note
Using puff pastry gives crisp, layered texture and drastically reduces prep time compared with yeast dough. For extra pistachio flavor, fold 1–2 teaspoons finely ground pistachios into the glaze.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories 416 • Total Fat 32g • Saturated Fat 13g • Cholesterol 59mg • Sodium 254mg • Total Carbohydrate 29g • Dietary Fiber 3g • Total Sugars 23g • Protein 7g