If you adore the warm aroma of cinnamon rolls drifting through the kitchen, you’re going to fall in love with Cinnamon Roll Cookies. They pack all the cozy flavors of a bakery cinnamon roll — buttery dough, cinnamon-brown sugar filling, and a sweet drizzle — but bake up quickly like cookies. No yeast, no kneading, and no waiting around. Just mix, roll, slice, and enjoy.
These cookies feel special enough for holidays and dessert trays yet simple enough for everyday baking. With basic pantry ingredients and an easy method, they’re exactly the kind of homemade sweet treat everyone can pull off — and everyone asks for seconds.
🗺️ Roadmap
Why Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Ingredients
How to Make
Detailed Directions
How to Serve
Tips for Success
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Why Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Cinnamon rolls are wonderful — but they take time. These cookies deliver the same comforting flavors in a fraction of it.
You’ll love them because they’re:
✔️ Fast and simple — no yeast, no long proofing
✔️ Beautifully swirled — they look bakery-made
✔️ Crowd-pleasing — perfect for sharing, gifting, or party platters
✔️ Beginner-friendly — great for anyone learning to bake
✔️ Versatile — easy to customize with nuts, spices, or icing variations
They’re ideal when you want something cozy, sweet, and impressive — without complicated steps.
Ingredients
You only need familiar baking staples:
Dough ingredients
Butter
Granulated sugar
Egg
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Milk or cream
Cinnamon filling
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon
Melted butter
Glaze
Powdered sugar
Milk
Together, they create a soft cookie base layered with sweet cinnamon flavor — finished with a glossy drizzle.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies
The method mirrors classic cinnamon rolls, just in cookie form. First, mix the dough and roll it into a rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling overtop, roll it into a tight log, and chill. Chilling helps the spiral hold its shape. Then slice, bake, and glaze.
The result: golden cookies with picture-perfect spirals and tender centers.
Detailed Directions
Mix the dough. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg.
Combine the dry ingredients. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt together, then add to the dough. Mix in milk until soft and smooth.
Roll it out. On a lightly floured counter, roll into a ¼-inch thick rectangle.
Spread the filling. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly.
Roll and chill. Roll tightly from the long side. Wrap in plastic and chill 30–45 minutes.
Slice. Cut into rounds of equal thickness.
Bake. Bake until the edges are barely golden and centers look set.
Glaze. Drizzle icing over warm cookies, letting it lightly melt into the swirls.
They’re soft inside, slightly crisp at the edges, and full of cinnamon sweetness.
How to Serve
These cookies shine:
Warm with coffee or tea
On holiday cookie trays
As a brunch sweet
For bake sales and gifts
As a cozy dessert after dinner
They store well — and somehow taste even better the next day.
Tips for Success
Chill the dough log. Prevents spreading and keeps spirals neat.
Slice evenly. Uniform slices bake more evenly.
Don’t overbake. Remove when edges just set — they firm as they cool.
Use parchment. Easy release and quick cleanup.
Customize the flavor. Add orange zest, nutmeg, or chopped pecans if you like.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead?
Yes — chill the wrapped dough log up to 24 hours, then slice and bake.
Can I freeze them?
Freeze baked cookies (without glaze) up to 2 months. Thaw and ice before serving.
Do they taste like cinnamon rolls?
They have the same buttery-cinnamon flavor, with a soft cookie texture.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — it doubles cleanly and freezes well.
Final Thoughts
Cinnamon Roll Cookies combine the comfort of cinnamon rolls with the ease of drop cookies — a win for busy bakers and dessert lovers alike. They’re beautiful, nostalgic, and simple enough to make anytime a craving hits. Keep this recipe close; it’s destined to become a go-to favorite for family gatherings, holidays, and cozy afternoons at home.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Ingredients
- Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp milk plus a splash if needed
- Cinnamon Filling
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 –3 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Beat butter and sugar until light. Mix in the egg.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; add to dough. Stir in milk until soft.
- Roll into a ¼-inch rectangle.
- Brush with melted butter; sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll tightly into a log. Wrap and chill 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice into ½-inch cookies.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until edges set.
- Whisk powdered sugar and milk; drizzle over warm cookies.
