Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cookies: The Ultimate Soft & Iced Swirl Treat Recipe
Imagine your favorite cozy breakfast pastry, the classic cinnamon roll, transformed into a delightful, bite-sized cookie. That’s exactly what these incredible Cinnamon Roll Cookies are! They deliver all the beloved flavors and textures of a traditional cinnamon roll – soft, buttery cookie dough swirled with a sweet, aromatic cinnamon filling, all generously topped with a simple, dreamy vanilla icing. Each cookie is a perfect symphony of sweet, spiced goodness that promises to be a new family favorite.
Every single bite of these iced cinnamon cookies offers an explosion of flavors that will undeniably hit all the right spots. The soft, chewy texture combined with the warm spice of cinnamon and the sweet kiss of vanilla icing creates an experience that is truly unmatched. These soft cinnamon roll cookies are so utterly perfect, you might find yourself wanting to keep the whole batch to yourself – and honestly, no one would blame you! This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s a cherished secret, a treat so special it deserves to be brought out for generations to come, especially on those occasions when only the very best will do. Get ready to bake a batch of pure joy that will captivate everyone who tries them.
What Are Cinnamon Roll Cookies?
Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a brilliant culinary fusion, masterfully blending the comforting chewiness of a classic cookie with the distinctive spiral and rich, spiced flavor of a traditional cinnamon roll. Far from being just a cinnamon-flavored cookie, these treats are crafted with a soft, pliable dough that mimics the texture of actual cinnamon roll dough. This dough is then meticulously rolled out, spread with a luscious mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter, and finally rolled into a tight log. This log is then sliced into individual cookies, revealing the beautiful cinnamon swirl that makes them so visually appealing and delicious.
Once baked to golden perfection, these cookies emerge from the oven fragrant and inviting. But the magic doesn’t stop there. They are then crowned with a smooth, sweet, powdered sugar icing, which adds that quintessential “cinnamon roll” finish and an extra layer of irresistible sweetness. The result is a cookie that offers the best of both worlds: the delightful convenience and portability of a cookie, combined with the complex, comforting flavors and the soft, tender crumb of a cinnamon roll. They are ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a delightful snack any time of day, offering a unique twist on two beloved baked goods.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Crafting these delectable cinnamon roll cookies requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of softness, sweetness, and spice. Let’s break down what you’ll need for each component of this fantastic recipe.
For the Soft Cookie Dough You Will Need:
- All-Purpose Flour: You will need 3 cups of all-purpose flour. This forms the essential structural base of your cookies, providing that soft, chewy texture. Sifting your flour can help ensure a lighter dough.
- Baking Powder: Just 1 teaspoon of baking powder is crucial. It acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies to puff up beautifully during baking, contributing to their soft and fluffy interior.
- Salt: Use 1 teaspoon of fine salt. Don’t skip this! Salt is a flavor enhancer, balancing the sweetness and making all the other flavors, especially the cinnamon, pop.
- Cinnamon: Adding 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon directly into the dough infuses every part of the cookie with a foundational layer of warm, aromatic spice, making them truly taste like cinnamon rolls from the first bite.
- Unsalted Butter: You’ll need 1 cup (two sticks) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating a rich, tender, and buttery base for your cookies. Ensure it’s not melted, but truly soft. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe.
- Granulated Sugar: Use 1 cup of granulated sugar. This provides the primary sweetness for the cookie dough and aids in tenderizing the dough, giving it a delightful crispness on the edges and softness within.
- Large Egg: One large egg is all you need. The egg acts as a binder, holding the dough together, adding moisture, and contributing to the overall richness and structure of the cookie.
- Milk: Add 1 tablespoon of milk (any kind works, whole milk often yields the richest results). This small amount helps to bring the dough to the perfect consistency, ensuring it’s pliable and easy to work with without being too sticky.
- Vanilla Extract: A full teaspoon of vanilla extract is essential for flavoring the dough. It enhances the sweetness and adds a warm, inviting aroma that complements the cinnamon perfectly. Pure vanilla extract is always recommended for the best flavor.
For the Irresistible Cinnamon Filling You Will Need:
- Melted Butter: Use 2 tablespoons of melted butter. This is key for creating a spreadable filling that adheres perfectly to the cookie dough, binding the sugar and cinnamon together for a rich, moist layer inside the swirl.
- Packed Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup of packed light or dark brown sugar is crucial. Brown sugar not only adds sweetness but also a wonderful molasses-rich depth of flavor and moisture that granulated sugar can’t provide, making the filling deeply caramelized and aromatic.
- Ground Cinnamon: A generous 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. This is where the signature “cinnamon roll” flavor truly shines. Don’t be shy; this amount ensures the filling is packed with an intense, warm spice that defines these cookies.
For the Sweet Vanilla Icing You Will Need:
- Powdered Sugar: You will need 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar). This finely milled sugar is essential for creating an icing that is incredibly smooth, lump-free, and delightfully sweet, melting in your mouth with every bite.
- Milk: Use 2 tablespoons of milk (again, any kind works). Gradually add the milk to the powdered sugar until you achieve the perfect drizzling consistency. You want it thick enough to stay on the cookie but thin enough to drizzle smoothly without clumping.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of delightful cinnamon roll cookies. Precision and patience will lead to the most delicious results!
- Prepare Your Workspace and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). While it heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Make sure these are well combined; this ensures even distribution of leavening and flavor throughout the dough. Set aside.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer), cream together the 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture.
- Add Remaining Wet Ingredients: To the creamed butter and sugar, add the single egg, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat again until all these ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies. Mix until no streaks of dry flour remain.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the cookie dough in half and gently form each half into a ball. Wrap each ball tightly in parchment paper or plastic wrap. Place both dough balls in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Chilling the dough is essential; it firms up the butter, making the dough much easier to handle, roll out, and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Prepare the Filling: While the dough is chilling, prepare your delicious cinnamon filling. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon until well combined. The mixture should form a thick paste.
- Roll Out the Dough: Take one chilled dough ball from the fridge (keep the other one chilled until ready to use). Place it on a large piece of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a rectangle approximately 8 inches by 11 inches and about ¼ inch thick. The parchment paper will prevent sticking and make rolling easier.
- Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough rectangle. Use a butter knife, an offset spatula, or the back of a wooden spoon to ensure a smooth, consistent layer.
- Roll into a Log: Starting from one of the longer edges, carefully fold the edge of the dough over and begin to roll it tightly into a log. Use the parchment paper to assist you in rolling a firm, even log. Once rolled, gently press the seam to seal it.
- Slice and Place on Baking Sheet: Using a sharp knife or even unflavored dental floss, slice the rolled cookie log into ½-inch thick pieces. Gently place these sliced cookies onto your parchment paper-lined baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced at least 1 inch apart to allow for spreading during baking. Repeat steps 8-11 with the second dough ball.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in your preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes. The cookies should be lightly golden brown around the edges and set in the center. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and tender.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly before transferring. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Drizzle Icing: While the cookies cool, prepare your icing. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and free of lumps. You want a consistency that’s thick enough to cling to the cookies but thin enough to drizzle. Adjust with more milk a few drops at a time if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin. Drizzle the vanilla icing generously over the cooled cookies using a spoon or by piping it from a small Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off.
Enjoy your perfectly baked, soft, and utterly delicious Cinnamon Roll Cookies!
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
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Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
Icing Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp. milk
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract, then beat until fully combined.
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Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Divide dough in half, form 2 balls, wrap in parchment paper, & refrigerate for 20 minutes.
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On parchment paper, roll one ball of dough into an 8″x11″ rectangle, ¼” thick.
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In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Spread this filling evenly over the rolled-out dough.
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Using the parchment paper to assist, carefully roll the dough into a tight log from one long edge.
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Slice the log into ½” thick pieces and place them on the lined baking sheet, spacing about 1″ apart. Repeat for the second dough ball.
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Bake for 12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
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In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the vanilla icing over the cooled cookies.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions for Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Do I have to chill the cookie dough?
Yes, chilling the dough is a highly recommended and quite important step for achieving the best results with these cinnamon roll cookies. When the cookie dough is warm, the butter in it is very soft, making the dough sticky and difficult to handle. This can result in a messy rolling process and a dough that doesn’t hold its shape well. By chilling the dough for at least 20 minutes (or even longer, up to an hour), you allow the butter to firm up, which makes the dough much easier to roll out evenly, slice cleanly, and maintain its beautiful spiral shape during baking. Additionally, chilled dough is less likely to spread excessively in the oven, ensuring your cookies have a perfect thickness and a delightful chewy texture. Remember to keep the second half of the dough in the fridge while you work with the first, ensuring it stays properly chilled until its turn.
How do I drizzle icing over the cookies evenly?
There are a couple of easy methods to achieve that perfect, uniform drizzle of vanilla icing over your cinnamon roll cookies. For a classic, slightly rustic look, you can simply use a spoon. Dip the spoon into the icing and then gently wave it back and forth over the cooled cookies, allowing thin streams of icing to fall. For a more controlled and professional-looking drizzle, transfer your icing into a small piping bag or a Ziploc bag. Snip off a tiny corner (start very small; you can always make it larger) and gently squeeze the bag, moving it across the cookies in thin lines or small swirls. This method gives you greater precision and helps ensure each cookie gets a lovely coating.
Can I make these Cinnamon Roll Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies are great for making ahead. You have a few options:
- Dough: The rolled and un-sliced dough logs can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2-3 days. When ready to bake, just slice and proceed with baking.
- Baked, Un-iced: You can bake the cookies and let them cool completely without icing. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, then ice just before serving.
- Frozen Dough: For longer storage, you can slice the raw cookie dough logs and arrange the individual slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Frozen Baked Cookies: Baked and cooled cookies (either iced or un-iced) can also be frozen. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy. If iced, freezing them separately first prevents the icing from sticking together.
What are some variations I can try with this recipe?
This cinnamon roll cookie recipe is wonderfully versatile! Here are a few ideas to get creative:
- Nutty Swirl: Add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon filling for extra crunch and flavor.
- Cream Cheese Icing: For a more traditional cinnamon roll experience, make a simple cream cheese icing instead of the vanilla powdered sugar icing. Beat 4 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup softened butter, then gradually beat in 2 cups powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream until smooth.
- Spiced Dough: Enhance the dough’s flavor by adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom along with the cinnamon.
- Mini Cookies: Roll the dough into smaller logs and slice thinner for mini cinnamon roll cookies, perfect for parties or smaller treats. Adjust baking time accordingly.
- Chocolate Swirl: Mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the cinnamon filling for a chocolate-cinnamon twist.
More Cinnamon Flavored Cookie Recipes to Try
If you love the warm, comforting spice of cinnamon as much as we do, you’re in for a treat! Explore these other fantastic cinnamon-infused cookie recipes that are sure to satisfy your cravings:
- CINNAMON OATMEAL COOKIES
- CARAMEL APPLE SNICKERDOODLES
- HOLIDAY SPICED SNICKERDOODLES
- ICED CINNAMON PUMPKIN COOKIES
- PUMPKIN SNICKERDOODLES
- BEST SNICKERDOODLE RECIPE
- CINNAMON CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES
- CINNAMON ROLL SNICKERDOODLES
- PEACH SNICKERDOODLES
- BIG FAT SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES
- SNICKERDOODLE COOKIE BARS
- SNICKERDOODLE APPLE PIE COOKIE CUPS
You are truly going to fall in love with these cinnamon roll cookies. Each bite is a wonderful explosion of flavors, perfectly blending the tender, sweet characteristics of a classic cookie with the warm, spiced indulgence of a cinnamon roll. They are the harmonious treat that brings smiles to every face and fills your home with an aroma that is simply irresistible. Don’t wait, bake a batch today and savor this exquisite creation!
