Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: 5 Easy Steps to Bake Them
It all started on a quiet Sunday afternoon the kind where you know you should be folding laundry but somehow find yourself elbows-deep in flour instead. I was craving something sweet, cozy, and nostalgic. Something that tasted like warm hugs and childhood memories. That’s when it hit me: Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies.
Now, I love a good cinnamon roll. I love a good sugar cookie. So why not smash them together into one glorious, swirly, cinnamon-sugar masterpiece? And friends, let me tell you Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are everything your cozy dessert dreams are made of. Soft, buttery sugar cookie dough spiraled with brown sugar cinnamon goodness, baked until just golden, and drizzled with a simple glaze. Heaven!
If you’ve been looking for the perfect way to level up your regular cinnamon sugar cookies, or you’ve been eyeing a new cinnamon sugar cookie recipe to impress everyone from your toddler to your in-laws, you’re in the right place. Let’s roll (pun intended)!
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
Imagine if a classic sugar cookie and a homemade cinnamon roll fell in love, got married, and had the sweetest little cookie babies. That’s exactly what these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies taste like.
They land somewhere between a soft bakery-style cookie and the gooey center of a cinnamon roll—only easier, quicker, and 100% less intimidating to make. If you’ve ever drooled over a Cinnabon cinnamon roll at the mall, this recipe is what that wants to be when it grows up: rich, flavorful, and without the three-hour wait.
Bursting with warm cinnamon spice, sweet brown sugar, and buttery vanilla goodness, these cookies are:
- Soft, tender, and chewy
- Swirled with rich brown sugar cinnamon filling
- Perfect for holidays, cookie swaps, or random Tuesdays
- Easier than traditional cinnamon rolls (no yeast involved!)
I love serving them with a hot mug of coffee, tucked inside lunchboxes, or, let’s be honest, sneaking one for breakfast. Plus, they’re total multitaskers. You could even crumble them over ice cream or sandwich them with a little cream cheese frosting if you’re feeling extra.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
This cinnamon roll cookies recipe might look simple, but the magic is all in the ingredients. Each one brings something special to the party whether it’s that classic chewy sugar cookie texture or the ooey-gooey cinnamon swirl that makes them unforgettable.
Here’s everything you’ll need:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 1 cup (softened) | Soft but not melted |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 cup | For that perfect cookie sweetness |
| Large Egg | 1 | Room temperature is best |
| Vanilla Extract | 2 tsp | Pure vanilla for best flavor |
| All-Purpose Flour | 2 ½ cups | Spoon and level, don’t pack |
| Baking Powder | 1 ½ tsp | Gives a gentle lift |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | Balances sweetness |
| Brown Sugar | ⅓ cup (packed) | Light or dark brown sugar both work |
| Ground Cinnamon | 2 tbsp | The star spice |
| Powdered Sugar | ¾ cup | For the glaze |
| Milk | 2-3 tbsp | Adjust for glaze consistency |
📝 Note: The dough might feel a little sticky when you first roll it up, but that’s perfectly normal. Just flour your surface well and trust the process!
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to turn your kitchen into a little cinnamon-scented wonderland? Here’s how to make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies in just 5 easy steps:
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Grab a big ol’ mixing bowl and beat the butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light, fluffy, and looks like it’s ready to star in a bakery window. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
Tip: If you can’t remember the last time you smiled that wide, you’re probably not mixing long enough. Fluffy = happy cookies.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined. You want a dreamy, creamy batter here—something that looks like it’s whispering sweet promises of cookies to come.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl.Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough comes together.
Don’t panic if it’s a little sticky that’s what makes these cookies super soft later.
Step 4: Roll, Fill, and Swirl
- Lightly flour a clean surface and roll your dough into a big rectangle, about ¼-inch thick.
- Mix your brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the dough, covering it all.
- Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log, jelly-roll style.
- Chill the log in the fridge for 30-45 minutes to firm up. (This makes slicing way easier.)
Pro Tip: Use parchment paper underneath when rolling it’s like a slip-n-slide for your dough.
Step 5: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice your dough log into ½-inch thick rounds and place them a few inches apart on a lined baking sheet.
Bake for 9–11 minutes until the edges are just barely golden. Let them cool slightly before drizzling with a simple powdered sugar glaze.
And there you have it Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies that will knock your cozy socks right off!
Tips & Notes for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
- Soft Butter is Key: Let your butter sit out for about an hour. It should be soft but still hold its shape.
- Flour Lightly: Too much flour when rolling can make the cookies tough. Just a dusting!
- Chill Before Slicing: Cold dough = cleaner, prettier swirls.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies should look slightly underdone when you pull them out. They’ll finish setting as they cool.
- Storage: Keep your cinnamon roll sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days—or freeze for up to 2 months.
Want a gluten-free cinnamon roll sugar cookie option? Swap in your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, roll it into a log, and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before slicing and baking.
Q: How do I store leftover Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies?
A: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months.
Q: What can I use instead of brown sugar in the filling?
A: No brown sugar? No problem swap it with coconut sugar or combine granulated sugar with a touch of molasses.
Q: My dough is too sticky to roll! What do I do?
A: Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin. If it’s still sticky, pop the dough into the fridge for 15 minutes and try again.
Q: Can I add a cream cheese frosting instead of a glaze?
A: 100% yes. In fact, if you want to really mimic cinnamon rolls, a swipe of cream cheese frosting would be divine!
Q: What if I want mini cinnamon roll sugar cookies?
A: Roll the dough thinner and slice smaller rounds just reduce the baking time by a minute or two!
Q: How do I make this a holiday version?
A: Add a sprinkle of nutmeg to the cinnamon filling and a few festive sprinkles on top of the glaze for a cozy Christmas twist.
Q: Can I double the cinnamon roll cookies recipe?
A: Absolutely! Just make sure you chill the dough in two separate logs so it’s easier to handle.
Conclusion: Sweet Swirls Await
If you’re anything like me, once you bake your first batch of these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies, you’ll find yourself reaching for just one more… and then maybe one more after that. They’re soft, cozy, swirled with sweet cinnamon goodness, and honestly just the best of all dessert worlds combined into one glorious cookie.
