Name: The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 1 tbsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2–3 tbsp milk; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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If you adore cinnamon rolls but crave the ease of a cookie, The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies are about to become your new obsession. Each bite delivers the irresistible swirl of brown sugar and cinnamon inside a tender, buttery cookie, all finished with a sweet glaze that echoes everything you love about a classic cinnamon roll, but in a portable, shareable form. Whether you’re looking to wow at a holiday cookie exchange or simply treat yourself to a cozy-day bake, these cookies are guaranteed to draw smiles and recipe requests wherever you bring them.

The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

When it comes to baking The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies, every ingredient plays a key role: building structure, creating flavor, and crafting the signature swirl. Simple pantry staples come together to work a bit of magic, proof that sometimes the best treats truly are built from the basics.

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, giving it that perfect tender bite and helping everything hold its shape.
Baking powder: Gives the cookies just a little lift, so they bake up soft without spreading too thin.
Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the warm cinnamon flavors.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds rich flavor and creates that melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives the cookies their classic sugar cookie base.
Large egg: Binds the dough together and adds just the right amount of moisture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the cookie’s sweetness and aroma with cozy, comforting notes.
Brown sugar (for filling): Brings that signature gooey caramel taste to the cinnamon swirl.
Ground cinnamon (for filling): The undeniable star, offering warmth and spice in every bite.
Unsalted butter (melted, for filling): Helps hold the cinnamon swirl together and ensures a moist, flavorful center.
Powdered sugar (for glaze): Melts into an ultra-smooth, sweet topping that finishes each cookie beautifully.
Milk (for glaze): Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzle-able consistency.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): Adds another hit of sweet warmth to the finishing touch.

How to Make The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures your leavening and flavor are distributed evenly for cookies that bake up evenly every time.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. Take your time with this step – it makes all the difference for tender cookies that practically melt on your tongue.

Step 3: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth, letting the mixture get luscious and creamy. This is where those classic sugar cookie flavors start to shine through.

Step 4: Combine and Chill the Dough

Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix! Gently divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, and wrap them up to refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This little nap makes the dough much easier to roll and swirl.

Step 5: Make the Swirl

Take out one dough disk and roll it into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Brush with the melted butter, then lavishly sprinkle over your brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. That’s where The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies start to come alive with that signature swirl.

Step 6: Roll Up and Chill Again

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, jelly-roll style. Wrap your log in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour; this helps the cookies keep their shape when you slice and bake. Repeat with the second dough disk.

Step 7: Slice and Bake

Once your logs are thoroughly chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice each log into 1/4-inch rounds and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, watching for lightly golden edges. The aroma at this stage is absolutely irresistible!

Step 8: Cool and Glaze

Let the cookies cool completely—trust me, the wait is worth it. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, then drizzle the silky glaze over each cookie. Now, stand back and admire your tray of cinnamon-swirled perfection.

How to Serve The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Garnishes

Give your cookies a festive finish with a shower of extra cinnamon on top of the glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans for crunch and flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fabulous alongside a steaming cup of coffee, a chai latte, or a tall glass of cold milk. They also pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of fresh berries for a simple, delightful dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon for adorable gifts, or arrange them in a swirling pattern on a platter for brunches or festive holidays. For entertaining, serve them on tiny plates with mini forks—your friends will be charmed!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and glazed, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Separate layers with parchment paper to keep the glaze looking neat and prevent sticking.

Freezing

The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies are fantastic for freezing! You can freeze the dough logs tightly wrapped before slicing for up to three months, or freeze baked, glazed cookies in a zip-top bag. Thaw at room temperature and enjoy whenever a craving strikes.

Reheating

If you love that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm a few on a baking sheet in a low oven (300°F) for a couple of minutes. The glaze will get glossy again and the swirl will taste extra inviting.

FAQs

Can I add nuts or raisins to the cinnamon roll cookies?

Absolutely! Feel free to stir 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling for a nutty bite, or sprinkle a handful of raisins over the cinnamon sugar before rolling up the dough.

How do I keep my cookie swirls neat?

Chilling the rolled dough logs is key; a firm, well-chilled log holds its shape during slicing. Use a sharp, thin-bladed knife and slice gently with a sawing motion for the cleanest swirls.

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough (even shaped into logs) up to two days in advance. Keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator until you’re ready to slice and bake.

Is it possible to make these gluten-free?

You can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular flour. Just watch the dough texture and add a little extra flour if it feels sticky.

Why did my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread, it’s likely the dough wasn’t chilled long enough or was too warm when it went into the oven. Ensure your dough logs are nice and cold, and bake on cool, parchment-lined sheets for best results.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve tried The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies, you’ll see why they’re a favorite in any baker’s rotation—soft, buttery, cinnamon-swirled, and blissfully easy to love. Gather your ingredients, invite some friends to help with the rolling and drizzling, and treat yourselves to the coziest, most delicious cinnamon cookie experience ever!

The Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, with all the flavors you love in a cookie form. Soft, sweet, and perfectly spiced, these cookies are sure to become a favorite for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling:

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Dough Preparation: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. Gradually add dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Chill dough.
Assembly: Roll out dough, spread with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Roll into logs, chill. Slice and bake cookies.
Glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over cooled cookies.