If you’ve ever craved the gooey, cinnamon-sweet swirls of a cinnamon roll and the crisp, hand-held delight of a cookie, these Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies are about to be your new favorite baking adventure. Picture buttery-soft cookies with swirls of cinnamon sugar and a drizzle of creamy glaze — no yeast, no fuss, all the flavor. Whether you’re dazzling your holiday dessert platter or just want a treat with your afternoon coffee, these cookies combine everything you love about both classic cinnamon rolls and cookies, but with a fraction of the effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies is blissfully simple, but each element packs a punch. Every ingredient has its moment to shine, bringing the swirls to life and making these cookies impossible to forget.
- All-purpose flour: The structural backbone of your cookies, it creates that perfect tender crumb.
- Baking powder: Ensures your cookies puff up gently for a soft bite.
- Salt: Just a little boost to balance sweetness and deepen every flavor note.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Creamy richness is the star here — don’t skip on using good, real butter.
- Granulated sugar: This sweetens the dough and helps it cream up into cloud-like softness.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for that chewy-in-the-middle texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds an irresistible warmth and bakery-style aroma.
- Unsalted butter, melted (for filling): This melted goodness holds the cinnamon swirl in place — and delivers richness in every bite.
- Light brown sugar: The cozy, molasses-spiked sweetness that makes your filling caramelize beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon: The irreplaceable star of the swirl, delivering that signature spice and inviting warmth.
- Powdered sugar: The base for your signature glaze. It melts into delicate sweetness on top.
- Milk: Blends with powdered sugar for a smooth, drizzle-friendly glaze.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): A splash here turns your glaze into an aromatic finish that lingers.
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until everything is evenly distributed. This simple step makes sure that your cookies bake up soft and rise just right. Plus, it prevents any salty surprises!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy — you’re aiming for a pale, cloud-like texture. This creaming builds air into the dough, helping the cookies rise and giving them their melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is velvety and completely combined. The egg brings rich cohesion, while the vanilla welcomes us all to the cinnamon roll party.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix — you want a dough that’s tender but still holds together well for rolling.
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
Divide the dough in half for easier rolling. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll each half into a rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Take your time here; a good rectangle means neater, even cinnamon swirls inside every cookie.
Step 6: Layer with Butter, Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon
Brush each dough rectangle with melted butter, making sure to reach the edges. Next, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon, then scatter this aromatic blend evenly over the buttered dough. This is where the Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies start to truly come to life!
Step 7: Roll Up and Chill
Beginning at the long side, carefully roll each rectangle into a tight log, just like making a jelly roll. Wrap each log snugly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour — or even overnight if you’d like to make ahead. This chilling step is key for perfectly neat cookies and a satisfying swirl.
Step 8: Slice and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment. Unwrap your chilled logs and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Arrange them on the baking sheets about two inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden and your kitchen smells like a cinnamon-sugar dream.
Step 9: Cool and Glaze
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze, simply whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cool cookies in generous zig-zags and revel in the cinnamon roll magic!
How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Garnishes
Sometimes, a little extra flair makes these Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies even more irresistible. Try sprinkling finely chopped pecans or walnuts right after the glaze goes on — the nuts stick to the drizzle and add a lovely crunch. A dusting of cinnamon or a light orange zest can also bring a new level of bakery perfection to every batch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a chilled glass of milk, a piping hot mug of coffee, or a spiced chai latte. For a dessert board, nestle them among fresh berries or a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream to highlight their cinnamon roll charm.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress at a party, stack the glazed cookies on a cake stand with a swirl of extra glaze on top. Try sandwiching two cookies with a smear of cream cheese frosting for a playful twist, or package them in small boxes tied with ribbon for the sweetest homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies store wonderfully. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This will maintain their just-baked freshness, so you can keep indulging all week long.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked dough logs for up to two months — just wrap tightly in plastic and seal in a freezer bag. You can also freeze fully baked (un-glazed) cookies and thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving.
Reheating
If you like your cookies a little warm, just pop one in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. The cinnamon swirl inside gets gooey again, and the glaze softens into a fragrant icing right on top. It’s nearly like a fresh cinnamon roll, without the wait.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dough in advance, shape it into logs, and chill for up to two days in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage. This way, you can slice and bake Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies fresh whenever the craving hits.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
You can swap up to half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat if you’d like to add a touch of nutty flavor and extra fiber, though the texture will be slightly heartier. For the softest bite, stick with the original flour or do a mix.
Is there a way to make these dairy free?
Yes! Substitute plant-based butter for the dairy butter and use your preferred non-dairy milk in the glaze. The cookies will still have that classic cinnamon roll flavor and beautiful swirls.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely. This recipe scales up beautifully for gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just to have extra treats on hand. Simply double (or even triple) all ingredients and work in batches as needed.
What’s the best way to get neat swirls?
Chilling the dough logs thoroughly and using a sharp, non-serrated knife for slicing are the secrets. Wipe the blade between cuts for the cleanest, most photogenic swirls in each cookie.
Final Thoughts
Whether you bake with family or are treating yourself, Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies are pure comfort in a swirl. They’re fun, foolproof, and always win rave reviews. Give them a try and see why they’re destined to become a favorite in your kitchen too!
Print
Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, with all the flavors you love in a cookie form. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you’re craving a sweet treat!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Filling:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Assembly: Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick on a floured surface. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture.
- Baking: Slice the chilled logs into rounds, place on baking sheets, and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
Roll up each rectangle into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Notes
- For a festive touch, consider adding chopped nuts or cream cheese frosting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
