Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are a magical mashup of two dessert icons, combining soft, buttery sugar cookie dough with that iconic cinnamon-sugar swirl and finishing with a dreamy vanilla glaze. Every bite melts into a sweet, spiced hug that transforms your kitchen into a cozy bakery. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a cookie exchange, or just craving something wildly nostalgic, this recipe is bound to win over anyone who adores cinnamon rolls or sugar cookies—it’s the best of both worlds in every bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for familiar, kitchen-staple ingredients, each one pulling its weight to create the best Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies imaginable. Don’t skip or skimp—each component adds magic to the flavor, texture, or those instantly recognizable cinnamon-swirled layers!
- All-purpose flour: Creates the cookie’s tender, classic structure—sift before measuring for best results!
- Baking powder: Lends just the right amount of lift, keeping your cookies light but chewy.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens the flavor of both the dough and the cinnamon filling.
- Unsalted butter (softened): The real secret to rich, melt-in-your-mouth cookies—make sure it’s at room temperature for effortless creaming.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives that signature sugar cookie texture.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds welcome tenderness to the cookie base.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to both the dough and the glaze (don’t skip it in either step!).
- Brown sugar (packed): The base for the cinnamon swirl—adds caramel notes and keeps the swirls gooey.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential spice that gives these cinnamon roll sugar cookies their signature aroma and flavor.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Helps the cinnamon-sugar filling sink into each cookie layer.
- Powdered sugar: The backbone of the sweet, creamy glaze.
- Milk: Loosens up the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency—use whole milk for the richest finish.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): Layers extra vanilla goodness into the glaze for a bakery-worthy finish.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Giving these ingredients a quick combine ensures your cookies bake up evenly, with a soft, fluffy texture—no clumps allowed! Set them aside so they’re ready to join the rest of your ingredients.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter together with the granulated sugar until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This step is what gives your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies their classic sugar cookie texture and taste, so don’t rush! Once creamy, mix in the egg and vanilla extract for richness.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture—about a third at a time—mixing just until the dough comes together. This helps prevent overmixing, which can turn cookies tough instead of tender. If the dough seems sticky, a few extra minutes in the fridge will make it easier to work with.
Step 4: Roll and Fill
On a floured work surface, roll your dough into a rectangle about 12 by 8 inches. Stir the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter together in a small bowl until you have a thick, fragrant paste. Spread this cinnamon filling evenly across the dough, making sure every corner gets some love—this is the swirl that makes these cookies irresistible!
Step 5: Roll, Slice, and Bake
Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log, then slice it into 1/2-inch thick rounds—just like slicing a cinnamon roll! Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between each one, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for cookies with golden edges and soft centers.
Step 6: Glaze and Finish
While your cookies cool, whisk up the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. Once the cookies are fully cooled, generously drizzle the glaze over the tops. Let the glaze set—or dig in while it’s still a bit gooey for that just-frosted effect!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A classic glaze drizzle is never out of place, but you can take it up a notch with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a couple of white chocolate shavings. If you’re feeling festive, try a pinch of edible gold or silver glitter for extra sparkle on your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies.
Side Dishes
These cookies are meant to shine solo, but they’re even better when served with a hot mug of coffee, spiced chai, or a tall glass of cold milk. For brunch, set them alongside a platter of fresh fruit or a cinnamon-spiked yogurt parfait—a truly dreamy combination!
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies on a tiered serving tray for a dessert-table centerpiece, or stack them in glass jars with ribbon for an unforgettable edible gift. You can even sandwich two cookies together with a swirl of cream cheese frosting for the ultimate “cookie-wich.”
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any leftover cookies into an airtight container and keep them at room temperature—they’ll stay fresh and satisfyingly soft for up to five days. If you like a slightly chewier cookie, place a slice of bread in the container to help trap a little extra moisture.
Freezing
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies freeze beautifully both before and after baking. For make-ahead ease, freeze the shaped cookie dough rounds on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to two months. Baked cookies can also be frozen; just separate layers with parchment to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature before glazing or serving.
Reheating
To refresh that just-baked warmth, simply pop a cookie or two in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds, or in a low oven (around 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for a few minutes. This will revive the softness and make the cinnamon aroma bloom all over again!
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough for Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies can be made a day or two in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll, fill, and bake.
Why should I chill the dough?
Chilling the dough makes it much easier to roll out into a rectangle and helps the cookies hold their signature swirl during baking, instead of spreading too much on the tray.
What’s the best way to slice the cookie log?
Use a sharp, thin knife (like a chef’s knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss) to slice the log cleanly without squashing the swirls. If the dough softens while working, a quick chill in the freezer firms it right up.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! This dough doubles beautifully—just be sure you have plenty of baking sheets on hand, because once your friends taste your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies, they’ll vanish in record time.
Is there a dairy-free alternative?
For a dairy-free version, use a vegan butter substitute and a plant-based milk in both the dough and glaze. The results are still scrumptiously soft and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to turn your kitchen into a bake shop and fill your home with the irresistible scent of cinnamon and sugar, these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are your new go-to treat. Share them with loved ones—or savor every gooey, swirled bite yourself. You deserve it!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies with this easy recipe for Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies. These cookies are perfect for a sweet treat any time of day!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll out dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 12×8 inches.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Filling: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl. Spread the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough.
- Roll and Slice: Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Prepare Glaze: For glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies.
Notes
- Chill dough before rolling for easier handling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
