If you love the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls but want a quicker, handheld treat, these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe will become your new favorite indulgence. Imagine biting into a soft, buttery sugar cookie swirled with rich cinnamon sugar and topped with a sweet glaze that brings all the cozy vibes of a cinnamon roll in a perfectly portable form. These cookies marry familiar flavors with a fresh spin that is both fun to make and irresistible to eat, perfect for any occasion or just an everyday sweet craving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping things simple yet essential, this recipe uses everyday pantry ingredients that combine to create texture, sweetness, and that iconic cinnamon spice punch. Each ingredient plays a key role: from butter providing richness and tenderness, to cinnamon lending its signature warmth, together weaving the magic that makes these cookies truly special.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure and a tender crumb to the cookies.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents help achieve a light, fluffy cookie texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a slight crisp edge.
- Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a deep, fragrant aroma that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
- Milk: Adds moisture to keep the dough soft and workable.
- Brown sugar: Gives the cinnamon filling its distinct caramel notes.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that provides warmth and that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
- Powdered sugar: For the glaze, offering a smooth sweetness to finish the cookie.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure your leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed for perfect cookie texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into your dough, giving the cookies a tender crumb and delightful softness.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk to the creamed mixture until smooth and well combined. This blend adds moisture and rich flavor, setting the stage for the dough to come together just right.
Step 4: Form the Dough
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix – you want the dough just incorporated for tender cookies.
Step 5: Roll Out and Add Cinnamon Filling
Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a neat rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Brush the melted butter over this surface, then evenly sprinkle the brown sugar and ground cinnamon mixture all over. This layer is where the signature cinnamon roll flavor truly shines.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Carefully roll the dough tightly from one end to form a log, sealing the edges gently. Slice the log into 1/2-inch thick rounds to create swirl-patterned cookies that showcase the cinnamon filling beautifully.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Arrange the cookie slices about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden, signaling a perfect balance of softness with a slight crisp.
Step 8: Cool and Glaze
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze and drizzle generously over the cooled cookies, adding the finishing touch to your delightful treat.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar can elevate the presentation and amplify that comforting aroma. You could also try adding a few toasted pecan bits on top of the glaze for a lovely crunch and a hint of nuttiness.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, chai tea, or creamy hot chocolate. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the sweetness and add freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a whimsical tiered stand for parties or gift them in a decorative jar layered with cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices to make a cozy, homemade present that anyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any uneaten cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and tender for up to 4 days, making them an excellent treat to enjoy throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough log before slicing, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. When ready to bake, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge and slice fresh cookies. Finished cookies also freeze well in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To refresh your cookies, warm them gently in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes. This helps the glaze melt slightly again and revives that freshly baked softness.
FAQs
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
For the best flavor and texture, it’s recommended to use unsalted butter. Margarine may alter the taste and the tender crumb that butter reliably provides.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses standard all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you could experiment with a gluten-free flour blend suited for baking, keeping in mind that texture might change slightly.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Making them vegan would require swapping butter with plant-based alternatives, using a flax or chia egg substitute, and ensuring the glaze uses dairy-free milk. While possible, it may require some trial to get the perfect texture.
Do I have to use the glaze?
The glaze adds a lovely sweetness and classic cinnamon roll feel, but you can enjoy these cookies without it if you prefer a less sweet treat or want to save time.
How thick should I roll out the dough?
Approximately 1/4-inch thickness is ideal — thin enough to bake evenly but thick enough to hold the cinnamon swirl and stay soft after baking.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly satisfying about merging two beloved treats into one, and these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe do just that with flair and flavor. They are cozy, quick to make, and utterly delicious, perfect for sharing or treating yourself anytime you crave that sweet warmth of cinnamon rolls in a convenient cookie form. Give this recipe a whirl and watch it become a new staple in your baking rotation — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies combine the sweet, spicy flavors of classic cinnamon rolls with the crispy texture of sugar cookies. Rolled with a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze, these cookies offer a delightful twist perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined to form a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Roll Dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick, preparing it for the filling.
- Apply Filling: Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough surface, then sprinkle the brown sugar and ground cinnamon mixture uniformly over the top.
- Form Rolls: Starting from one end, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log shape to encase the cinnamon filling evenly.
- Slice Cookies: Slice the rolled dough log into 1/2-inch thick rounds for uniform cookies.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the cookie slices onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring about 2 inches between each to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden brown indicating doneness.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Make Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Glaze Cookies: Drizzle the prepared glaze over the cooled cookies to add a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened at room temperature to make creaming easier and achieve a fluffy dough.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to prevent tough cookies.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy cleanup after baking.
- Let cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running off.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
