Cinnamon Roll Cookies: Quick & Cozy Dessert for Busy Days

If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy all the cozy flavors of a cinnamon roll without the fuss of waiting for dough to rise, these Cinnamon Roll Cookies are about to become your new favorite. Imagine buttery, soft cookies swirled with cinnamon-sugar goodness—basically everything you love about cinnamon rolls, baked into a bite-sized treat. And the best part? You can whip them up in under 30 minutes. Perfect for when the craving hits but time isn’t on your side.

As a Texas mama with three little cookie monsters at home, I can tell you these beauties never last long in my kitchen. In fact, the last time I baked them, my youngest tried to hide a few under his napkin “for later.” Sneaky, but I couldn’t even be mad—they’re that irresistible.

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Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

• Quick & Easy: No yeast, no rising, no waiting. Just mix, roll, slice, bake. Done.
• Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters can’t resist these swirls of cinnamon-sugar magic.
• Versatile: Perfect for breakfast with coffee, a sweet snack, or dessert after dinner.
• Pretty Presentation: They look fancy on a cookie tray but take hardly any effort.

What Do Cinnamon Roll Cookies Taste Like?

Think of your favorite cinnamon roll—the gooey middle, the warm spice, the soft dough. Now shrink that down into a chewy, buttery cookie. These cookies strike the perfect balance: not overly sweet, but just enough to make your tastebuds happy. They pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea or coffee (or if you’re my kids, a big glass of cold milk).

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Making these Cinnamon Roll Cookies doesn’t require anything fancy—just a handful of pantry staples you probably already have on hand. Each ingredient plays an important role in giving you that soft, chewy bite with a warm swirl of cinnamon-sugar. Let’s walk through them one by one:

• All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The foundation of our cookies, giving them just the right structure. If you’re a baker who loves experimenting, this is the same versatile flour you’d use for classics like Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Baking Powder (1 teaspoon): This helps the cookies puff up ever so slightly, so they don’t bake up flat. It gives these cinnamon roll–inspired cookies their light and tender crumb.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon for the dough, 2 teaspoons for the filling): Cinnamon is the star of the show here. Its warm, comforting aroma fills your kitchen the second you mix it into the dough and sprinkle it into that iconic swirl.
• Salt (½ teaspoon): Just a little pinch goes a long way. Salt balances sweetness and enhances every other flavor in the cookie. Without it, things would taste a bit flat.
• Unsalted Butter (½ cup, softened): Butter gives these cookies richness and tenderness. Softened butter is key—cold butter won’t cream properly with sugar, and melted butter would make the dough too greasy.
• Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Brings sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure. This is what gives that lovely crisp edge.
• Brown Sugar (½ cup in the dough + ½ cup in the filling): Brown sugar adds depth and that caramel-like richness you associate with traditional cinnamon rolls. The molasses in brown sugar also keeps the cookies chewy in the center.
• Large Egg (1): Eggs are the glue of baking. This single egg binds the dough and keeps your Cinnamon Roll Cookies soft instead of crumbly.
• Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Vanilla adds warmth and makes the cinnamon flavor pop. Don’t skip it—it’s one of those little details that elevates the flavor of simple cookies.

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling:

• Brown Sugar + Ground Cinnamon: This combo is what makes the cookies taste like a cinnamon roll in every bite. You’ll roll it up inside the dough, creating those pretty swirls that make these cookies look bakery-worthy without the extra effort.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Baking these Cinnamon Roll Cookies is easier than you might think. The dough comes together quickly, the filling is simple, and before you know it, your kitchen smells like a cozy bakery. Follow these steps, and you’ll have warm, swirled cookies ready in under 30 minutes.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks. This also makes cleanup a breeze (and if you’re like me, less time scrubbing means more time enjoying cookies).

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt

Whisking helps distribute everything evenly, so every bite of your Cinnamon Roll Cookies is flavorful and well-balanced.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a separate large bowl, cream together ½ cup softened unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup brown sugar. Mix until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—this usually takes 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step traps air in the dough, which makes your cookies softer.

Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Crack in 1 large egg and beat until fully incorporated. Then add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and mix again. The dough should look smooth and slightly glossy at this point.

Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. Don’t overmix—the dough should be soft but not sticky. If you stir too much, the cookies may turn out tough instead of chewy.

Step 6: Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Filling

In a small bowl, stir together ½ cup brown sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. This filling is what gives your cookies those irresistible swirls, just like a traditional cinnamon roll.

💡 Tip: You can double the filling if you want extra flavor. My kids always vote for the “extra swirl” version!

Step 7: Roll Out the Dough

Take half of the dough and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Roll it into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick. Sprinkle generously with half of your cinnamon-sugar filling.

Now comes the fun part—starting from one long side, roll the dough up tightly into a log. Think of it like rolling up a Garlic Bread Roll, only sweeter. Repeat with the second half of the dough.

Step 8: Slice the Cookies

Using a sharp knife (or even better, unflavored dental floss), slice the dough logs into rounds about ½-inch thick. Place each slice on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake your Cinnamon Roll Cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look just set. Don’t wait for them to get too dark—they’ll continue baking slightly as they cool on the hot tray.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This keeps them chewy in the middle and crisp around the edges.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cookies

• Chill the dough if sticky: A quick 15 minutes in the fridge makes rolling easier.
• Use floss to slice: Just like cinnamon rolls, unflavored dental floss gives you clean, perfect rounds.
• Don’t overbake: They’ll keep baking on the hot sheet for a minute or two after coming out.
• Add a glaze: A simple powdered sugar glaze drizzled on top makes them even more cinnamon roll–like.

Personal tip? I once made these for a brunch potluck, and they disappeared before the egg casserole even hit the table. Lesson learned—always double the batch if you’re sharing!

Storage for Cinnamon Roll Cookies

• Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp and rewarm for that “just baked” taste.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the dough logs, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours before slicing and baking.

FAQs

Can I add icing to these cookies?
Yes! A quick glaze of powdered sugar + milk drizzled over the top makes them extra indulgent.

Can I make them gluten-free?
You can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Texture may vary slightly but still delicious.

Do these taste more like cookies or cinnamon rolls?
Definitely cookies—with all the flavors of a cinnamon roll in a soft, chewy bite.

Conclusion

These Cinnamon Roll Cookies are everything you love about cinnamon rolls wrapped up in a quicker, simpler package. Perfect for busy mornings, holiday trays, or just because—you’ll find yourself baking these on repeat.

If you loved this recipe, you might also enjoy my Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting or these Garlic Bread Rolls for something savory.

So go ahead—bake a batch today, pour yourself a warm drink, and savor every swirl.

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