Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe

Imagine blending the rich, gooey swirls of a cinnamon roll with the soft, buttery crumb of your favorite sugar cookie. That’s exactly what Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies deliver: pure nostalgia and cozy comfort in every bite, wrapped in an irresistible homemade treat. With gorgeous cinnamon-sugar marbling and a soft, chewy center, these cookies are sure to become your new party star or afternoon craving. They’re deceptively impressive, a joy to make, and even more delightful to share.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies is how they transform a handful of pantry staples into a treat that looks and tastes like you fussed for hours. Each ingredient plays a distinct part in building flavor, creating those dreamy cinnamon pockets, and achieving the perfect tender texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

• Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons + 1 cup, softened): Butter is the backbone of both the cinnamon swirl and cookie base, bringing richness and that signature melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
• Brown sugar (⅓ cup, packed): This builds the caramel notes in the cinnamon filling and keeps those sugary swirls soft and gooey.
• All purpose flour (2 ¾ cups + 1½ tbsp): The flour provides structure; a bit goes into the cinnamon mixture to help it hold its shape, and the rest forms the cookies themselves.
• Ground cinnamon (2½ teaspoons): The star spice, giving each bite of these cookies their classic cinnamon roll warmth.
• Pinch salt: Just a little salt enhances sweetness and keeps the flavors balanced.
• Granulated sugar (1⅓ cups): This sweetens the dough while also helping it stay beautifully soft and tender.
• Pure vanilla extract (1¾ teaspoons): Vanilla rounds out the flavor, making the cinnamon fill your kitchen with bakery magic.
• Large egg & extra yolk (1 each): Using both gives a rich, chewy texture—don’t skip the extra yolk!
• Baking powder (¾ teaspoon): For just the right lift, so your cookies puff without getting cakey.
• Cornstarch (1 teaspoon): This secret weapon keeps your cookies extra soft for days.
• Salt (¼ teaspoon): Another tiny but vital bit of salt deepens the flavor and offsets the sweetness.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Preheat

Before you begin, get your oven set to 350°F and position the racks near the center. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper so your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies slide right off when they’re done. This little step not only guarantees easy cleanup, but also helps your cookies bake evenly.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Filling

In a small bowl, combine the softened 4 tablespoons of butter, brown sugar, 1½ tablespoons flour, all the cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Use a fork or small rubber spatula to mash and stir everything together until it forms a thick, spiced mixture. Pop this filling into the freezer for about 10 minutes—this quick chill will help you get nice pockets of cinnamon throughout your cookies.

Step 3: Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer, if you have one), beat together 1 cup of softened butter and the granulated sugar until it’s light, fluffy, and pale. Scrape down the sides, then add the vanilla, egg, and extra yolk—continue beating until totally smooth. This step traps air for soft cookies and ensures a melt-in-your-mouth crumb.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Separately, whisk the 2¾ cups flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon salt together. With your mixer on low, slowly add the dry mix to your creamed butter mixture, stirring just until combined. The goal: a soft, workable dough without overmixing.

Step 5: Layer in the Cinnamon Mixture for Swirls

Now comes the magic! Remove half the dough, spreading the remainder flat in your mixing bowl. Take your chilled cinnamon filling and, using two spoons, scoop tiny bits (about a teaspoon each) evenly over the dough. Top this with the reserved cookie dough, spreading it into another layer. Scatter the rest of the cinnamon filling on top, so you have dough layered with cinnamon bits. Swirly goodness awaits!

Step 6: Gently Marble the Dough

Using a spatula or your hands, fold the dough just two or three times to swirl the layers. You want streaks and pockets of cinnamon throughout, but don’t overmix. It’s totally fine if there are some bigger chunks of filling—those become sweet surprises in the finished cookies.

Step 7: Scoop, Chill, and Shape

With a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop out balls of dough (about two tablespoons each), making sure every ball includes plenty of cinnamon swirl. Arrange the dough balls on a plate and chill in the freezer for a quick 10-minute firm-up. This little chill ensures thick, tender cookies that don’t spread too much.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place your chilled dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a couple inches between each. For bakery-thick cookies, bake as is; for thinner cookies, give them a gentle pat. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and just turning golden, but the centers look just a touch underdone. Don’t worry if some cinnamon goo oozes out—this is part of their handmade charm! If you like, use a round cookie cutter or a spoon to gently nudge any misshapen cookies into perfect circles just after they come out of the oven. Let them cool fully on the pan to firm up.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

For a classic finish, dust cooled Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies with a bit of powdered sugar or drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the top. If you’re in the mood for decadence, a touch of cream cheese icing gives them true cinnamon roll flair. Even without a topping, the swirls speak for themselves!

Side Dishes

These cookies are delightful on their own, but they also shine alongside coffee, chai, or hot cocoa for a cozy treat. Want a cold contrast? Serve them with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for the ultimate dessert plate at brunches or holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack them in a tall glass jar for a pretty edible gift, or arrange on a wooden board with mini cinnamon buns for a “cinnamon roll duo” dessert spread. For parties, use them to sandwich a bit of ice cream for the cutest ice cream sandwiches that echo all the flavors of your favorite childhood breakfast. You’ll have your friends asking for the secret!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place parchment between layers to keep those beautiful swirls intact and prevent sticking.

Freezing

Good news: these cookies freeze like a dream! Arrange baked cookies in a single layer on a sheet pan to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature when a craving strikes. You can also freeze unbaked, portioned dough balls—simply bake them straight from the freezer with an extra minute or two on the timer.

Reheating

For that just-baked taste, warm cookies gently in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds, or in a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes. This revives the gooey cinnamon layer and brings back all their dreamy softness.

FAQs

Can I make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies gluten free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend (make sure it’s a 1:1 baking blend with xanthan gum). The texture may be slightly different but you’ll still get those signature swirls and all the best cinnamon roll vibes.

How do I keep the cinnamon swirl from melting out?

Make sure to chill the cinnamon sugar filling before assembling and don’t skip chilling the dough balls before baking. This helps everything stay beautifully marbled rather than melting away. Even if some filling leaks, the taste is heaven!

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, just reduce the additional salt in the recipe to avoid over-seasoning. Your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies will still come out perfectly delicious.

Why do I need both an egg and an extra yolk?

The extra yolk adds richness and chewiness, making each bite more decadent and closer to that classic cinnamon roll experience. It’s a small step that brings a huge payoff!

What’s the best way to shape cookies after baking?

If your cookies aren’t perfectly round, use a large round cookie cutter (slightly larger than the cookies) to gently swirl them into shape right when they come out of the oven. Alternatively, nudge the edges in with a spoon for a quick fix—no one will ever know!

Final Thoughts

If you love anything swirled, soft, and cinnamon-kissed, you simply have to try Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies. They’re pure comfort and joy—in every pretty, buttery bite. Happy baking, and don’t be surprised if these become a most-requested favorite in your home!

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