If you’re a fan of all things cinnamon, you’re in for a real treat with The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies. Imagine everything you love about a classic cinnamon roll—swirled with warm spices and drizzled with sweet vanilla glaze—packed into a handheld cookie that’s perfect for sharing and snacking. These cookies strike the perfect balance between tender, buttery dough and that signature cinnamon-sugar filling, making them a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or cozy night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies is delightfully simple, but each part plays a critical role in creating those irresistible layers of flavor and texture. From the rich butter to the fragrant cinnamon, every component brings something special to the table.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The heart of the dough, lending a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Adds just enough sweetness to the base, helping the cookies bake up golden and tender.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough together and ensures a soft bite.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the cookie’s aroma and rounds out the flavor profile with cozy warmth.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Gives the cookies their structure and a delicate crumb.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Provides just the right lift for a tender texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies the flavors.
- Melted unsalted butter (2 tablespoons, for filling): Helps the cinnamon-sugar filling stick and creates those craveable swirls.
- Brown sugar (1/3 cup, for filling): Brings caramel-like depth and gooey richness to the swirl.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon, for filling): The star spice, infusing the cookies with warm, comforting notes.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup, for glaze): Creates a silky-smooth, sweet finishing touch.
- Milk (2 tablespoons, for glaze): Helps whisk the glaze to perfect drizzling consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon, for glaze): Adds a pop of flavor to the sweet glaze.
How to Make The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for aerating your dough, ensuring that each cookie bakes up tender and not too dense. Take your time here—the more you cream, the better the texture!
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the large egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated. This not only binds everything together but also infuses the dough with that classic vanilla warmth that makes The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies so inviting.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms. At this stage, the dough should hold together without feeling sticky.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Divide the dough in half for easier handling. Place each half between two sheets of parchment paper and roll into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. The parchment prevents sticking and makes for easy clean-up, too!
Step 5: Add Cinnamon Swirl Filling
Brush the rolled dough with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with a blend of brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This is where the magic happens—the sugar melts into the dough during baking, creating those signature cinnamon roll swirls.
Step 6: Roll, Chill, and Slice
Carefully roll up each rectangle into a tight log, starting from the long edge. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling is essential for neat slices and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch rounds and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space for spreading. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 8: Glaze and Enjoy
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for the glaze. Drizzle generously over the cooled cookies and let it set. The glaze adds a final touch of sweetness and that classic cinnamon roll look—absolutely irresistible!
How to Serve The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, try sprinkling the freshly glazed cookies with a touch more cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar. Chopped pecans or walnuts also add a lovely crunch if you want to get fancy. The delicate drizzle of glaze is the finishing touch that makes The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies look as good as they taste!
Side Dishes
Pairing The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies with a steaming cup of coffee or chai latte makes for the ultimate treat-yourself moment. They’re also wonderful served alongside fresh fruit, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a tangy yogurt dip for a sweet-and-creamy contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a pretty tin for gifting, or arrange them in a spiral on a cake stand for a showstopping dessert table centerpiece. For holiday parties, tie a few cookies together with twine for adorable edible party favors—your guests will love the extra thought!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The cookies stay soft and flavorful, and the glaze holds up beautifully without getting sticky.
Freezing
If you want to get ahead, you can freeze the unbaked dough logs tightly wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, simply thaw in the fridge overnight, slice, and bake as usual for fresh-from-the-oven flavor anytime you crave The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. If you’re reheating several, a few minutes in a low oven (300°F) does the trick—just keep an eye on the glaze so it doesn’t melt away completely.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be prepared, rolled, and chilled up to a day in advance. You can even freeze the dough logs for longer storage, making The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies a fantastic make-ahead option for busy days or special occasions.
What if I don’t have brown sugar for the filling?
No worries! You can substitute with granulated sugar, though the flavor will be a bit lighter and less caramel-like. If possible, add a teaspoon of molasses to mimic that classic brown sugar richness found in The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
You can swap in up to half whole wheat flour for a heartier cookie, but keep in mind the texture will be slightly denser. The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies are meant to be tender and soft, so a full substitution isn’t recommended.
How do I prevent the dough from sticking when rolling?
Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper is your best bet for neat, frustration-free results. If it starts to get sticky, chill the dough for 10–15 minutes, then continue rolling.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes! The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies recipe scales up beautifully. Just prepare each dough log separately for easier handling, and you’ll have plenty of cookies to share at your next gathering.
Final Thoughts
Baking up a batch of The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies is truly a joyful experience—these cookies are a guaranteed hit with friends, family, or anyone lucky enough to snag one. Give them a try and taste the magic for yourself. Happy baking!
Print
The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus at least 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies capture all the delicious warmth of cinnamon rolls in a simple, easy-to-make cookie. Rolled with cinnamon-sugar filling and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze, they are perfect for holiday celebrations or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and Fill: Divide the dough in half and roll each portion out between two sheets of parchment paper into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Brush the melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Form the Logs: Carefully roll up the dough tightly into a log, starting from the long edge. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and set.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Slice Cookies: Remove chilled dough from fridge and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the slices on prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and allow to set before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon filling.
- Prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor and easier slicing.
- Freeze unbaked dough logs to have ready-made cookie dough for holiday baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
