If you love the sweet, cozy flavors of classic cinnamon rolls but want something a bit quicker and perfectly portable, this Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe is going to be your new obsession. These delightful cookies capture all the warm spices, caramel notes, and creamy icing of the beloved pastry in a chewy, tender cookie form that bakes up in just minutes. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or a festive gathering, these cookies bring that nostalgic warmth with every bite, and I can’t wait to share how easy and delicious they are to make!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Each item plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that signature cinnamon roll experience.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a chewy texture that holds the cinnamon swirl perfectly.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them light and tender.
- Baking soda: Works with baking powder for just the right amount of leavening.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors in the dough.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich, creamy moisture for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough without overpowering the cinnamon notes.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together for a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a warm, inviting sweetness to the cookie base.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives these cookies their signature cozy flavor.
- Brown sugar: Adds depth and a caramel-like sweetness to the cinnamon filling.
- Powdered sugar: Used for the luscious icing that tops each cookie.
- Milk: Helps achieve a silky, drizzle-able icing consistency.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly without sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This combination will give your cookies the perfect rise and tender crumb while enhancing all the flavors.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Use a large mixing bowl to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for a soft and airy cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. These ingredients bind everything together and add warm, aromatic notes to your dough.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so take it easy here.
Step 6: Create the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling
In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and brown sugar to make the delicious filling that gives these cookies their signature swirl and rich flavor.
Step 7: Roll Out Half the Dough
Transfer half of your dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. This shape will make it easy to layer in the cinnamon-sugar goodness.
Step 8: Sprinkle the Cinnamon-Sugar
Evenly sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the rolled-out dough, then gently press it in so it sticks and won’t fall out when rolled.
Step 9: Roll and Slice
Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, then slice it into 1-inch pieces — these become your charming cinnamon roll cookie rounds.
Step 10: Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place each cookie slice on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave a little space between them as they will spread slightly while baking.
Step 11: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown, for that perfect balance of soft center and slightly crisp edges.
Step 12: Cool Before Icing
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling helps the icing set beautifully.
Step 13: Whisk Up the Icing
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Adjust milk quantity to get a drizzling consistency that’s just right for topping.
Step 14: Drizzle and Enjoy
Drizzle the icing over the completely cooled cookies. Let it set a few minutes, and then your scrumptious cinnamon roll cookies are ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a beautiful finishing touch, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or a pinch of finely chopped toasted nuts on top of the icing. This adds both flavor and visual appeal, perfect for serving guests or gifting.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of coffee, chai tea, or even warm milk. The warm spices and sweetness complement cozy beverages beautifully, making every bite a delightful treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange these cookies in a circle on a festive plate, or stack them in a mason jar for an irresistible gift. You can also serve them with small bowls of cream cheese frosting or honey butter for dipping, elevating the Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe into a fun interactive experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Cinnamon Roll Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft and fresh, place a slice of bread in the container which helps retain moisture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Frozen cookies maintain their flavor and texture well for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm, simply microwave a cookie for 10-15 seconds or reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This brings back their soft, freshly baked charm instantly.
FAQs
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil in this Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe?
Butter is key for the rich flavor and texture in these cookies, so it’s best to stick with it. Margarine or oils may change the taste and consistency, resulting in a less tender cookie.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can try a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Keep in mind the texture might vary slightly, but the flavor will still be delightful.
How do I get the cinnamon swirl clearly visible in each cookie?
Rolling the dough tightly after sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar helps create well-defined swirls. Pressing the sugar mixture gently into the dough before rolling also ensures it stays in place.
Can I use light brown sugar instead of packed brown sugar for the filling?
Light brown sugar will work fine and may produce a slightly milder, less caramel-forward flavor, but it still provides that essential sweetness and moisture.
What if my icing is too runny or too thick?
If your icing is runny, add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken it up. If it’s too thick, stir in a few drops of milk at a time until you reach a smooth, drizzle-able consistency perfect for topping your cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so wonderfully comforting about the flavors of cinnamon and sugar wrapped in a tender, buttery cookie, and this Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe nails that feeling perfectly every time. Whether you’re treating yourself on a chilly afternoon or sharing with friends and family, these cookies bring that joyful, warm cinnamon roll experience with much less fuss. Give them a try—you’ll soon find they’re one of your go-to recipes for sweet moments that feel like a hug in cookie form!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Roll Cookies capture the warm, spicy flavor of classic cinnamon rolls in a delightful, bite-sized cookie form. Soft and chewy with a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a smooth powdered sugar glaze, these cookies make a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and salt in the dough.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This aerates the butter for a tender cookie texture.
- Add egg and vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until fully combined to bind the ingredients and add flavor.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Prepare cinnamon filling: In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and brown sugar to create the warm, spiced filling for the cookies.
- Roll out dough: Transfer half of the cookie dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick, preparing it for layering with cinnamon sugar.
- Add cinnamon sugar: Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough. Gently press it into the dough to adhere without tearing.
- Shape the dough log: Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, starting from one edge, ensuring the cinnamon-sugar filling stays inside. Slice the log into 1-inch pieces to form individual cookies.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the sliced dough pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Cool cookies: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk until smooth and pourable, adjusting milk quantity to achieve the desired consistency.
- Decorate cookies: Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies and allow it to set before serving, adding a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming and better cookie texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to prevent tough cookies.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent cookies from sticking and for easy cleanup.
- The icing consistency can be adjusted by adding more milk to thin it or more powdered sugar to thicken it.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
