Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe
Imagine all the gooey, buttery warmth of a classic cinnamon roll bundled into a perfectly chewy, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie — that’s exactly what you’ll find with these irresistible Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies. Every swirled bite layers soft vanilla dough, fragrant cinnamon, and a dreamy sweet glaze, making these cookies a standout treat for bake sales, coffee dates, or cozy afternoons at home. If you love the nostalgic flavors of a cinnamon roll but want something easy to share, this recipe is about to become your new go-to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies is their simplicity; every ingredient is chosen to deliver rich flavor and crave-worthy texture. Gather these pantry staples, and you’ll be on your way to cookies that taste just as good as they look.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure-builder; it ensures your cookies hold their shape while staying tender.
- Baking Powder: Adds just the right lift for a plush, bakery-style bite.
- Salt: Brightens all the sweet notes and subtly enhances the cinnamon flavor.
- Unsalted Butter (for dough and filling): A generous amount in both parts gives richness, moisture, and that classic bakery aroma.
- Granulated Sugar: Brings a delicate sweetness and helps the edges bake up with a gentle crunch.
- Powdered Sugar (for dough and glaze): Adds softness to the dough and creates a silky-smooth glaze for finishing.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together for cookies that are just the right amount of chewy.
- Vanilla Extract: Deepens the flavor and adds warmth; essential for an irresistible cookie base and glaze.
- Brown Sugar: The secret to that gooey, caramelized swirl inside every cookie.
- Ground Cinnamon: The star spice — aromatic and cozy, it creates the signature swirl we all love.
- Milk (for the glaze): Blends with the powdered sugar for a pourable, glossy finish.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures your leavening and seasoning gets evenly distributed, setting the stage for cookies that bake up beautifully every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with both the granulated and powdered sugars. You want this mixture to get light, fluffy, and pale—think of it as laying the foundation for a soft, smooth dough.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your egg and pour in that fragrant vanilla extract. Mix until everything’s beautifully combined—the dough will smell absolutely amazing at this point.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture. Mix just until a soft dough forms, scraping down the bowl if needed to make sure everything’s even.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half and pat each half into a flat rectangle. Wrap them up in plastic wrap and let them chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. A cool dough means neater swirls and cookies that don’t spread too much in the oven.
Step 6: Prepare the Filling
While your dough is chilling, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. This aromatic duo is the magical swirl that turns these sugar cookies into showstopping Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies.
Step 7: Roll, Fill, and Shape
Roll out one portion of dough into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle on a floured surface. Gently spread half the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with half the cinnamon-brown sugar filling. Starting at the long edge, roll it up tightly into a log. Repeat with the second dough rectangle for double the swirly goodness.
Step 8: Chill the Logs
Place those dough logs back in the fridge for another 30 minutes. This extra chill ensures clean, gorgeous spirals when you slice the dough—no messy edges here!
Step 9: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice each log into 1/2-inch rounds and set them on the sheets with plenty of space to expand. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden; the centers should stay soft and cookie-like.
Step 10: Cool and Glaze
Let the Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies cool on a wire rack. Meanwhile, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until you have a smooth, drizzle-ready glaze. Drizzle generously over the cooled cookies, and watch everyone’s eyes light up!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Bring out the best in these cookies with a sprinkling of extra cinnamon, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a few chopped pecans for crunch. For extra flair, try a swirl of cream cheese glaze on top — it pays homage to classic cinnamon rolls and makes the batch look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a mug of rich, frothy coffee for a match made in heaven. If you’re serving them as part of a dessert platter, offer fresh berries or a mild vanilla ice cream to balance the warm, spiced flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies in a spiral on a large platter for a dramatic centerpiece or tuck a few into cellophane bags tied with ribbon for gift-giving. Stack them on a tiered cake stand for brunch, or use mini cookie cutters to make bite-size versions for parties. However you serve them, Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies always steal the spotlight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The glaze will set beautifully, so you don’t have to worry about stickiness; slices of bread in the container can help maintain moisture if you like extra softness.
Freezing
These cookies are fantastic for freezing! You can freeze the baked and glazed cookies for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container, or freeze the sliced, unbaked dough rounds and bake them straight from the freezer — just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If you like your cookies a little warm (just like fresh cinnamon rolls), pop them in a low oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or give them a quick zap in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The glaze will soften, and the cinnamon aroma will fill your kitchen all over again.
FAQs
Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even a sprinkle of raisins work beautifully in the filling and add some fun texture to your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies. Just keep pieces small so the swirl stays intact.
Why is chilling the dough twice necessary?
Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle, prevents the cookies from spreading too much, and keeps the cinnamon swirl sharp and well-defined after baking. Don’t skip the extra chill if you want picture-perfect cookies!
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! The dough (or the shaped logs) can be refrigerated overnight or even frozen for several weeks. Just let frozen logs thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing and baking, ensuring fresh cookies are always within reach.
How can I make the glaze thicker or thinner?
For a thicker glaze, use less milk or add more powdered sugar. To make it thinner and easier to drizzle, simply add a splash of milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
What’s the best way to get even, round cookies?
Make sure your dough is evenly rolled and well-chilled before slicing. Use a sharp, serrated knife and gentle pressure to keep your rounds uniform, and tidy up misshapen cookies with your fingers before baking if needed.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to delight your friends, family, or neighbors with a treat that delivers cinnamon roll magic in every single bite, these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies simply can’t be beat. Try them once and you’ll see why this recipe earns rave reviews every time — happy baking!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies with these easy-to-make and delicious Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies. A perfect treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients.
- Chill the Dough: Divide dough, flatten into rectangles, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Make the Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Assemble: Roll out dough, spread with butter and cinnamon-sugar, roll into logs, chill, slice, and bake.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
Notes
- Chilling the dough makes slicing easier and maintains shape.
- Add cream cheese to the glaze for a richer topping.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
