If you’ve ever craved the gooey, nostalgic flavors of a classic cinnamon roll but wanted something just a little more shareable, you’re going to flip for these Cinnamon Roll Cookies. Imagine all the buttery goodness and warm cinnamon-sugar swirls of your favorite breakfast treat, transformed into soft, tender cookies that melt in your mouth. They’re delightfully simple to whip up, make your kitchen smell like a pastry shop, and are always the star of any gathering. Whether you’re craving a sweet snack with your afternoon coffee or need a fun treat to bring to friends, Cinnamon Roll Cookies deliver pure joy in every bite.

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Cinnamon Roll Cookies comes from just a handful of pantry staples, each chosen for maximum flavor and that perfect cookie-meets-cinnamon-roll texture. Here’s how every ingredient shines in this recipe.

All-purpose flour: Forms the base, providing structure and just the right chewiness to each cookie.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them light yet satisfying.
Ground cinnamon: The undeniable star shot through both the dough and the filling for that signature warmth and aroma.
Salt: Balances the sweet flavors and helps all the other ingredients shine.
Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and tenderness, making each cookie melt-in-your-mouth good.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives the cookies their classic sugar-cookie backbone.
Brown sugar, packed: Adds an extra hint of molasses flavor and deepens the cozy, caramel-like notes in both dough and filling.
Large egg: Binds everything together and makes the cookies wonderfully soft.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and brings that bakery-fresh vibe to every batch.
For the Filling – Brown sugar, packed: Delivers gooey richness at the very heart of each spiral.
For the Filling – Ground cinnamon: Makes sure every bite is packed with that classic cinnamon roll soul.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready as soon as your cookies are shaped. Trust me, a properly preheated oven makes for even baking, so you get those irresistible golden-brown edges every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. This quick step helps distribute the cinnamon evenly throughout the dough and guarantees a consistent rise in each cookie.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Grab a separate large bowl and use a mixer to beat your softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is wonderfully light and fluffy. This is what gives your Cinnamon Roll Cookies their tender, irresistible crumb!

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to your butter-sugar mixture. This not only binds everything but also infuses your cookie dough with warmth and sweetness, making the end result taste as good as it smells.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Try not to overmix here—leaving it a little shaggy is the secret to those soft, pillowy cookies we all love.

Step 6: Make the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, stir together the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon. This duo creates those iconic sweet, spiced swirls that make Cinnamon Roll Cookies so addictive.

Step 7: Shape, Fill, and Roll

Spread half the cookie dough onto a piece of parchment paper, shaping it into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Sprinkle your cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the surface. Carefully roll up the dough into a log, using the parchment to help you keep it tight and neat—it’s just like making little cinnamon roll pinwheels!

Step 8: Slice and Arrange

Slice the rolled dough into thick rounds, each one bursting with swirls of cinnamon-sugar. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie so they bake up beautifully.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookies into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. When they look lightly golden around the edges and your kitchen smells like a dream, they’re done! Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Garnishes

For an extra-special bakery finish, try drizzling your Cinnamon Roll Cookies with a simple vanilla glaze or dusting them with powdered sugar right before serving. Not only does this make them look beautiful, but it also brings out the comforting aroma of cinnamon in every bite.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with hot coffee, chai tea, or even a tall glass of cold milk to capture that classic “cinnamon roll for brunch” feeling. They also shine alongside fresh fruit, or as a sweet finish after a savory breakfast spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack the Cinnamon Roll Cookies on a pretty platter, tie up a bundle with twine for edible gifts, or serve them as the centerpiece of a dessert board with graham crackers and mini marshmallows for dipping. You can even crumble them over vanilla ice cream for an instant sundae upgrade!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your Cinnamon Roll Cookies cool completely, then stash them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep perfectly fresh and soft for up to 4 days—if they last that long! You’ll find the flavor deepens even more by the next day.

Freezing

To freeze, line the cooled cookies up in a single layer on a sheet tray, freeze until solid, then move to a freezer bag. When you want a treat, just thaw a few cookies at room temperature or warm briefly. They stay delicious for up to 2 months.

Reheating

If you love that fresh-baked warmth, just pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The cinnamon sugar will melt slightly, making the cookies taste like they’re right out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I make Cinnamon Roll Cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare and chill the dough log up to 24 hours in advance. Just slice and bake when you’re ready for warm, fresh cookies—perfect for planning ahead or satisfying spontaneous cravings.

Do I need a stand mixer to make this recipe?

Nope! A hand mixer works beautifully, and you can even mix everything by hand with a sturdy spoon and a little elbow grease. The key is to cream the butter and sugars well for the best texture.

Can I add nuts or raisins to Cinnamon Roll Cookies?

Definitely! Finely chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch, and a sprinkle of raisins or even mini chocolate chips in the filling makes each bite extra special. Feel free to experiment with your favorite add-ins.

Why do my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies are spreading more than you’d like, try chilling the rolled cookie log for 30 minutes before slicing and baking. Colder dough holds its shape in the oven, giving you a perfect, swirled cookie every time.

What’s the best way to get neat swirls in every cookie?

Roll the dough up tightly and slice gently using a sharp, serrated knife. Wipe the blade between cuts for those beautiful, clean cinnamon roll swirls in every single cookie.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a treat that tastes as comforting as a warm hug, you need to try these Cinnamon Roll Cookies. They’re fun to make, guaranteed to impress at any gathering, and are simply too good to resist. Gather your ingredients, invite someone to join you in the kitchen, and let the sweet aroma of cinnamon fill your home—you’ll be so glad you did!

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 7 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, combining the flavors of a cinnamon roll in cookie form. With a buttery dough and a sweet cinnamon filling, these cookies are sure to become a favorite treat for any cinnamon lover.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In another bowl, cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Make Filling: Prepare the filling by combining brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Roll and Fill Dough: Spread half of the dough on parchment paper, sprinkle with filling, and roll it up tightly.
Slice and Bake: Slice into rounds and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American