If you’ve ever found yourself torn between two cravings—warm, gooey cinnamon rolls and perfectly chewy cookies—look no further than these Cinnamon Roll Cookies. This glorious mashup captures the buttery, spiced comfort of a classic cinnamon roll inside a delightfully crisp yet tender cookie. Every bite is a swirl of cinnamon-sugar magic, making these cookies an instant hit at gatherings or a dreamy treat for a quiet afternoon at home.

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Cinnamon Roll Cookies is blissfully simple, relying on everyday kitchen staples that create layers of flavor and texture. Each component plays a small but mighty role in ensuring these cookies deliver that classic cinnamon roll taste in every bite.

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing structure and a tender crumb.
Baking powder: A touch helps keep these cookies puffed and light, mimicking the rise of a cinnamon roll.
Ground cinnamon: Essential for bringing that beloved, aromatic warmth to both dough and filling.
Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and intensify the buttery flavor.
Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Ensures the cookies are sweet and gently crisp around the edges.
Brown sugar, packed: Infuses deeper, caramel-like notes and keeps them soft and chewy.
Large egg: Binds the dough together and adds moisture for a tender finish.
Vanilla extract: Lifts the flavors and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
For the Filling – Brown sugar, packed: Combines with cinnamon for the trademark swirl of gooey, caramelized sweetness.
For the Filling – Ground cinnamon: Doubles down on the spice, so every bite sings with classic cinnamon roll flavor.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. This simple step ensures that the leavener and spice are evenly dispersed throughout your cookies, giving every bite that signature texture and hit of cinnamon warmth.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a separate, larger bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars. You want the mixture to become pale, light, and a little fluffy—this is what gives your Cinnamon Roll Cookies that wonderfully chewy and soft base.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Once your butter and sugars are well combined, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until everything is smooth and silky, incorporating richness and depth of flavor into your cookie dough.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Overmixing can toughen your cookies, so stop as soon as there’s no visible flour left—your dough should be soft and a little sticky.

Step 5: Prepare the Filling

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling. The extra hit of cinnamon and that brown sugar blanket form the gorgeous swirl for which Cinnamon Roll Cookies are known.

Step 6: Assemble and Roll the Dough

Spread half the cookie dough onto a sheet of parchment paper, shaping it into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over the top, then carefully roll the dough up into a tight log using the parchment to help. This is where the signature cinnamon swirl magic happens!

Step 7: Slice and Arrange the Cookies

Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled dough into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they bake up perfectly golden and don’t stick together.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain soft. Let the Cinnamon Roll Cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack—they smell so dreamy fresh from the oven!

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Garnishes

A light drizzle of vanilla glaze or cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch for your Cinnamon Roll Cookies. You can also dust them with a sprinkling of powdered sugar for a pretty, bakery-style look—no one can resist a little extra sweetness!

Side Dishes

Serve your cookies alongside a big mug of coffee, a chai latte, or even a tall glass of cold milk. For a special brunch, pair them with fresh fruit or a simple bowl of Greek yogurt—the cinnamon spice plays nicely with so many flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack these cookies in a beautiful tin for gifting, or arrange them in concentric circles on a cake stand at your next brunch spread. For a really fun twist, sandwich two cookies together with a smear of whipped cream cheese—or create cookie ice cream sandwiches for a summer treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store your Cinnamon Roll Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Tuck in a slice of bread or apple to help keep them fresh and pillowy—the cookies will happily soak up a bit of moisture!

Freezing

These cookies are freezer-friendly! Layer cooled cookies between sheets of parchment and freeze in a tightly sealed container for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the unbaked dough logs and slice just before baking for warm cookies anytime.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven softness, zap Cinnamon Roll Cookies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or warm them in a low oven for a few minutes. They’ll taste like you just pulled them from the oven—and your kitchen will fill with that irresistible cinnamon aroma again.

FAQs

Can I make Cinnamon Roll Cookies with gluten-free flour?

Absolutely! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. Just keep an eye on the dough’s texture—you may need to add a tablespoon or two of milk if it seems dry. The cookies will still have all their signature cinnamon roll flair.

Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?

Yes, feel free to sprinkle in finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or even a handful of raisins with the cinnamon sugar filling. This adds a lovely crunch and an extra boost of flavor, just like in classic cinnamon rolls.

Why didn’t my cookies keep their swirl?

If your Cinnamon Roll Cookies lost their swirl in the oven, the dough may have been too warm before slicing or the rolls too loosely packed. Try chilling the rolled dough log in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before slicing to help maintain those beautiful spirals.

How do I make a quick glaze for drizzling?

Stir together 3/4 cup powdered sugar with a tablespoon or two of milk or cream, and a dash of vanilla extract. Drizzle the simple glaze over cooled cookies for that classic cinnamon roll bakery finish.

Can I make Cinnamon Roll Cookies ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prep the dough and keep it chilled in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze the shaped dough logs and slice/bake straight from the freezer. This makes them wonderfully easy for parties or last-minute treats.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to fall in love with a new favorite treat, these Cinnamon Roll Cookies are calling your name. Their delicious swirls, toasty cinnamon aroma, and buttery crumb will win over every cookie lover in your life—so go ahead, bake a batch and savor every cozy bite!

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 15 reviews

Author: Zoe
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. With a buttery cookie base and a sweet cinnamon filling, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix 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.
Prepare Filling: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Roll and Cut Dough: Spread half of the dough on parchment paper, sprinkle with filling, and roll it up tightly. Slice into rounds and place on a baking sheet.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

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