Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

Meet your new favorite treat: Cinnamon Roll Cookies! These cookies deliver everything you love about classic cinnamon rolls in a delightfully soft, buttery, and bite-sized form. Swirled with cinnamon-sugar goodness and baked to golden perfection, each cookie is irresistibly warm, fragrant, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family brunch or looking for a sweet anytime snack, Cinnamon Roll Cookies will steal the show every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Cinnamon Roll Cookies lies in their simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each element brings its own special touch, shaping the cookie’s texture, golden color, and unforgettable flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to create these irresistible treats:

• All-purpose flour: The backbone for structure, giving your cookies their perfect chewiness.
• Baking powder: Ensures lightness and just the right amount of rise in every bite.
• Ground cinnamon: Delivers that unmistakable cinnamon roll warmth and signature swirl.
• Salt: Enhances flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
• Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps achieve a soft, tender crumb.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens and adds a gentle crunch to the cookie’s edge.
• Brown sugar, packed: Infuses moisture and a hint of caramel-like depth to both dough and filling.
• Large egg: Holds everything together and gives the cookies their delightful texture.
• Vanilla extract: Lends a smooth, aromatic note that makes the flavors pop.
• Brown sugar (for the filling): The sweet and sticky center, pairing perfectly with cinnamon.
• Ground cinnamon (for the filling): The finishing touch for that classic cinnamon roll swirl.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). It might seem like a small step, but starting with a hot oven is key to getting those gorgeous, slightly crisped cookie edges while keeping the centers soft. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. The cinnamon will make your kitchen smell heavenly the moment it hits the bowl! Combining your dry ingredients ensures everything is evenly distributed—no pockets of baking powder or spice lurking in your dough.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Grab a large bowl and beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar. Mix until the blend is light, fluffy, and noticeably paler. This step is the secret behind those melt-in-your-mouth Cinnamon Roll Cookies—creaming aerates the dough, setting the stage for perfect texture.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in your egg and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and creamy. Don’t skip the scraping of the bowl’s sides! The egg brings moisture and structure, while vanilla adds that classic, nostalgic cookie aroma.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until a dough forms. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as the last streak of flour disappears.

Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, combine packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This simple mixture is the magic that mimics cinnamon roll filling—sticky, sweet, and bursting with cinnamon flavor in every swirl.

Step 7: Assemble and Roll the Dough

Divide your dough in half for easier handling. Place one half on parchment paper and gently spread or roll it into a rectangle. Sprinkle a thick, even layer of the cinnamon filling on top. Carefully roll up the dough into a tight log, just like a cinnamon roll. This step is where those beautiful cookie swirls are born!

Step 8: Slice and Arrange

Using a sharp knife, slice the log into rounds about half an inch thick. Space them out on your prepared baking sheet—these Cinnamon Roll Cookies need a little room to spread and show off their swirled centers.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden at the edges but still soft in the middle. The moment you pull them out, you’ll see (and smell) why this recipe is a keeper. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack—they’ll set up beautifully as they cool.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Garnishes

Give your Cinnamon Roll Cookies the bakery treatment with a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans. The glaze adds an extra hint of sweetness and a glossy finish that looks as irresistible as it tastes!

Side Dishes

Pair your cookies with a hot cup of coffee or chai latte for the ultimate comfort combo. If you’re planning a brunch spread, serve Cinnamon Roll Cookies alongside fresh fruit or yogurt parfaits to accentuate their warm, spiced flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

Show off those cinnamon swirls by serving the cookies stacked on a pretty cake stand or tucked into a basket lined with a festive napkin. For an extra-special touch, package them in cellophane bags with a ribbon for homemade gifts that always impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Cinnamon Roll Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay soft and flavorful—just what you want in a cookie that’s perfect for snacking anytime.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to three months, so you can always have a sweet treat ready at a moment’s notice.

Reheating

If you love that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, pop a few cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. They’ll taste (and smell) just like the day you baked them!

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and cinnamon filling in advance, then refrigerate the rolled log for up to 24 hours. Simply slice and bake when you’re ready for fresh Cinnamon Roll Cookies.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling isn’t required for this recipe, but if your dough feels too soft to roll or slice, a quick 15-20 minute chill in the fridge makes the process easier and helps create well-defined swirls.

Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?

Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even raisins add a fun twist and extra texture to your Cinnamon Roll Cookies. Just sprinkle them over the filling before rolling up the dough.

What’s the best way to make the glaze?

A quick glaze is a breeze: whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons milk and a splash of vanilla. Drizzle it on the cooled cookies for another layer of yum!

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

If your cookies are spreading out more than you’d like, check that your butter wasn’t too soft or warm. Chilling the rolled dough before slicing and baking can help the cookies keep their lovely round shape.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh-baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies wafting through your kitchen. These treats wrap up all the classic flavors you love in a fun, shareable cookie form. I hope you’re inspired to give them a try—each bite is a perfect little swirl of comfort and joy!

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