Easy Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

Cinnamon Roll Cookies bring the flavor of classic cinnamon rolls into a cookie shape that bakes faster and stores easily. The dough rolls flat, spreads with cinnamon sugar, then slices into swirls.

Each cookie shows a cinnamon spiral after baking. Home bakers enjoy this style for simple prep and steady results. This format works well for holidays or casual baking days.

If you love cinnamon rolls yet want something quicker and easier, these Cinnamon Roll Cookies hit the sweet spot.

The butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon filling gives that cozy bakery feel in cookie form, making this recipe perfect for holidays, weekend treats, or sharing with friends who love cinnamon roll cookies recipes made from scratch.

Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe?

This Cinnamon Roll Cookies recipe gives you the taste of cinnamon rolls in a simple cookie form that fits into a normal baking day.

The dough mixes in one bowl, rolls out easily, and slices clean with no special tools. Each cookie keeps a soft center with a rich cinnamon swirl that stays bold after baking.

I love how these cinnamon roll sugar cookies hold their shape and bake evenly every time. Home cooks enjoy this recipe since it feels familiar, comforting, and reliable.

How To Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies?

Recipe Overview

Cinnamon Roll Cookies are soft sugar cookies rolled with a buttery cinnamon swirl and baked until lightly golden.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Dessert/Cookies
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Yield: 24 cookies
• Calories per Serving: ~180
• Servings: 24
• Serving Size: 1 cookie

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Sharp knife

Ingredients

For the Cookie Base – Filling

• 6 tablespoons salted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1½ tablespoons cinnamon

For the Dough

• 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks), softened
• 1⅔ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1½ teaspoons cream of tartar

For Rolling

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ tablespoons cinnamon

Ingredient Notes

1. Butter

Softened salted butter gives these cinnamon roll cookies a rich taste and soft texture. Let the butter sit at room temperature so it blends smoothly into both the dough and the cinnamon filling.

2. Brown Sugar

Brown sugar adds moisture and deep sweetness to the cinnamon swirl. It works well with cinnamon and helps keep the centers soft after baking.

3. Granulated Sugar

Granulated sugar sweetens the dough and creates a light texture. It is also used for rolling the cookie log, which adds a slight crunch on the outside.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the main flavor in this cinnamon roll cookie recipe. Fresh cinnamon gives stronger aroma and better flavor in both the filling and rolling mixture.

5. Eggs

Eggs bind the dough and help the cookies hold their shape. Room-temperature eggs mix more evenly into the dough.

6. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla adds warmth and balances the cinnamon and sugar. Use pure vanilla for a clean flavor.

7. All-Purpose Flour

Flour gives structure to the cookies. Spoon and level the flour to keep the dough soft and prevent dry cinnamon roll cookies.

8. Baking Soda

Baking soda helps the cookies rise slightly and keeps the texture light instead of dense.

9. Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar gives these cinnamon roll sugar cookies a soft and chewy texture. It also helps balance the sweetness.

10. Kosher Salt

Kosher salt controls sweetness and brings out the cinnamon flavor without overpowering it.

Directions (Step-By-Step)

Step 1:

In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling until smooth. Set it aside so it stays spreadable.

Step 2:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy and light in texture. This step helps keep the cinnamon roll cookies soft.

Step 3:

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 4:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and cream of tartar.

Step 5:

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 6:

Place the dough on parchment paper and roll it into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick.

Step 7:

Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small edge uncovered to help seal the roll.

Step 8:

Roll the dough tightly into a log, starting from the long side. Roll slowly to keep the cinnamon swirl neat.

Step 9:

Mix the rolling sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll the dough log in this mixture to coat the outside.

Step 10:

Wrap the log and chill for 20 minutes. This helps the cinnamon roll cookies slice clean.

Step 11:

Slice the chilled dough into even rounds and place them on a lined baking sheet.

Step 12:

Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until the edges set, and the centers stay soft. Cool for five minutes before serving.

Tip from my kitchen: Chilling helps the cinnamon swirl stay neat and keeps the cookies from spreading too much.

Nutrition (Per Cookie – Approximate)

• Calories: 180
• Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Sugar: 15g
• Protein: 2g

Pro Tips and Variations

✅ Chill the Dough

Chilling the dough log helps the cinnamon swirl stay neat and keeps the cinnamon roll cookies from spreading too much during baking.

✅ Measure Flour Carefully

Spoon and level the flour instead of scooping. This keeps the cookies soft and prevents a dry texture.

✅ Add Chocolate Chips

Mini chocolate chips can be mixed into the cinnamon filling for cinnabon chocolate chip cookies with a rich bite.

✅ Use Cream Cheese Frosting

A thin layer of cream cheese frosting on cooled cookies turns this into cinnamon roll cookies with cream cheese frosting.

✅ Make It Ahead

Prepare the dough log in advance and store it in the fridge. Slice and bake when fresh cookies are needed.

✅ Freeze for Later

Both baked cookies and dough slices freeze well. Thaw baked cookies at room temperature or bake frozen slices with extra time.

Serving Suggestions

💠 Serve warm with coffee or tea for a cozy treat.
💠 Pair with vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert plate.
💠 Add cream cheese frosting for a bakery-style cinnamon roll cookie recipe.
💠 Arrange on a platter for holidays or brunch tables.

Storing Tips

✔️Store baked cinnamon roll cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

✔️Refrigerate for a firmer texture and longer freshness.

✔️Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.

✔️Freeze sliced dough logs and bake straight from frozen with extra bake time.

Recipe Notes

• Chill the dough for clean slices
• Use fresh cinnamon for better aroma
• Measure flour carefully to keep cookies soft

Do I glaze these Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe?

A glaze works well with cinnamon roll cookies and adds sweetness on top. Some prefer a simple powdered sugar icing with milk.

Others enjoy cream cheese frosting for a cinnabon cookies feel. Glazing stays optional and depends on taste. The cookies hold flavor even without icing.

Why do my cookies get hard after they cool?

Hard cookies often come from extra flour or a long baking time. This cinnamon roll cookies recipe stays soft when the flour is spooned and leveled.

Baking until edges set helps keep the center tender. Cooling the pan for a short time helps texture. Airtight storage keeps moisture locked in.

What makes your cookie soft and chewy?

Cream of tartar and butter create soft centers in these cinnamon roll cookies. Proper mixing keeps air in the dough. Chilling supports the structure without drying the cookie. Short bake time locks in moisture. These steps keep the cinnamon roll cookie recipe chewy.

Other Cookies Recipe You May Like

▶ Best Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe

▶ Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

▶ Best Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe

▶ 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you love cinnamon flavors and easy baking, this Cinnamon Roll Cookies recipe fits right in your kitchen. I make these whenever I want bakery-style cookies without extra steps.

Try them once and share how they turned out. I enjoy hearing from readers who put their own twist on this cinnamon roll cookies recipe.