Get the best of both worlds with cinnamon roll sugar cookies—soft, swirled, and drizzled with icing. A sweet twist perfect for holidays or anytime baking!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Get ready to fall in love with how a handful of simple, everyday ingredients transform into something so warm and nostalgic! Each ingredient is essential, working together to deliver perfect texture, flavor, and those gorgeous cinnamon swirls you crave.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened for a creamy, rich base that makes your cookies perfectly tender and flavorful.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough while helping it bake up soft and chewy.
- Large Egg: Gives moisture and structure, so every bite is luxuriously soft.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the dough with that lovely, warm bakery aroma and elevates the flavor of both the dough and glaze.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the dough, providing strength and chew without being too dense.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies puff just slightly, keeping them light and soft inside.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, so don’t skip it!
- Brown Sugar: Used in the filling for a deep, molasses-y sweetness that mimics classic cinnamon rolls.
- Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show in the swirl, adding that unmistakable warm spice.
- Powdered Sugar: For a silky-smooth optional glaze that adds just the right finishing touch.
- Milk: Whisked into the glaze for just the right consistency—add a little or a lot, depending on how thick you like your drizzle.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start off by beating your softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl. You want the mixture to look fluffy and pale—this helps the cookies bake up nice and light. Don’t rush this part; creaming is key for great texture!
Step 2: Incorporate the Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then mix until everything’s blended and smooth. The egg gives the dough structure, while the vanilla adds that bakery-fresh aroma you love in Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures things are evenly dispersed before you add them to the wet mixture, which prevents overmixing or uneven cookies.
Step 4: Mix and Form the Dough
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low until a soft, beautiful cookie dough forms. This dough should pull away from the sides—not too sticky, not too dry. If your kitchen is warm, you can chill the dough briefly here to make it easier to work with!
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
Lay down a sheet of parchment, pop your dough on top, then cover with another sheet. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. This technique keeps the dough from sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
Step 6: Add That Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookie Swirl
Brush the surface of the rolled dough with melted butter (yum!), then sprinkle your brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly across. The butter helps the filling stick and infuses each cookie with rich, cinnamon roll flavor.
Step 7: Roll It Up and Chill
Slowly and gently roll the dough up from the long side, like you would for a cinnamon roll, creating a tight spiral. Wrap your dough log in parchment or plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least an hour—this is the real secret for picture-perfect spirals and easy slicing!
Step 8: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheet with parchment. Slice your chilled dough into rounds (aim for 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick), then space them out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, just until the edges turn a whisper of golden brown.
Step 9: Cool and Glaze
Let the cookies cool on a wire rack, then whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for your simple glaze. Drizzle it generously over your cooled Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies for that signature finish!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
For the perfect finishing touch, drizzle your cookies with the optional vanilla glaze, then sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling fancy, a few curls of white chocolate look gorgeous and add an extra layer of decadence.
Side Dishes
These cookies are wonderful with a cup of strong coffee or a creamy chai latte, echoing all their cozy, spiced flavors. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a little bowl of vanilla yogurt—trust me, it’s a match made in cinnamon-sugar heaven!
Creative Ways to Present
Stack Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies on a pedestal cake stand for a centerpiece-worthy display, or box them up with some parchment and ribbon for a truly special edible gift. For parties, try arranging them in a swirl on a round platter to mimic a giant cinnamon roll appearance—it’s guaranteed to impress!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for about 3 to 4 days, so you can sneak a treat whenever the cinnamon craving hits!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer on a tray to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can also freeze the unbaked dough log, then simply slice and bake when you’re ready for fresh, homemade cookies at a moment’s notice.
Reheating
If you love that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, just pop a cookie (or two) in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. They’ll become soft, aromatic, and taste like you just baked them—even days later!
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough log can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept tightly wrapped in the fridge. Simply slice and bake when you’re ready for fresh Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies.
What’s the best way to slice the dough without squashing it?
For clean, even slices, use a sharp serrated knife and gentle sawing motions. If the dough is very firm from the fridge, give it a few minutes to soften so it doesn’t crack.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes! The cookies are fantastic even without the glaze if you prefer a less sweet treat. You can also swap in a cream cheese glaze for even more of a classic cinnamon roll vibe.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?
Definitely—feel free to stir finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or a sprinkle of raisins into the brown sugar filling for texture and extra flavor. Just keep additions finely chopped for best rolling and slicing.
Are Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies good for gifting?
They’re perfect for gifting! These cookies hold their shape well and pack beautifully in boxes or tins. Just be sure to let the glaze set before stacking to avoid sticking.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the way Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies bring together nostalgic flavors and pure home-baked joy. If you’re ready to wow your friends, family, or even just treat yourself, don’t wait—these cookies are a must-bake!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, swirled cinnamon roll sugar cookies with icing—sweet, cozy, and perfect for holiday trays or a fun dessert twist on a classic favorite!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This creates a soft texture for the cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Roll Out Dough: Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll it into a large rectangle about 1/4-inch thick for even baking and easy rolling.
- Add Cinnamon Filling: Brush the rolled out dough with melted butter. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then evenly sprinkle this mixture over the buttered dough.
- Shape & Chill Dough: Starting at one long side, gently roll the dough into a tight log. Wrap the log in parchment or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Slice & Bake: Slice the chilled dough into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick rounds. Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them. Bake for 9–12 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before glazing to set their shape.
- Glaze (Optional): Whisk together powdered sugar, 1–2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies and let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential: it makes slicing easier and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- If the dough cracks slightly while rolling, pinch it back together to seal the swirl.
- You can prepare the dough log up to 2 days ahead and keep it chilled until ready to slice and bake.
- For neater cookies, trim the ends of the dough log before slicing.
- The glaze is optional, but it adds that classic cinnamon roll finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 19mg