Cinnamon Roll Cookies

a close up shot of a Cinnamon Roll Cookie with a bite taken out of it on a plate

You'll love this fun twist on classic cinnamon rolls -- full of buttery sugar cookie dough, plus a cinnamon sugar filling, and drizzled with homemade icing on top.

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Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time4 20

Servings

Table of Contents

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
How To Serve
Storing Cinnamon Swirl Cookies
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Cinnamon roll cookies are a fun twist on a classic gooey cinnamon roll. A simple, buttery, from-scratch sugar cookie dough is swirled with a delicious cinnamon-sugar mix, baked to golden, and drizzled with a sweet glaze.

close up shot of Cinnamon Roll Cookies stacked on top of each other

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Ingredients

Cinnamon Roll Cookies raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

For The Sugar Cookies:

3 cups of all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of fine sea salt
1 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1½ cups of sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon of almond extract

For The Cinnamon Filling:

8 tablespoons of butter, melted
4 tablespoons of cinnamon
¾ cup of granulated sugar
¾ cup of brown sugar

For The Icing:

2 cups plus ½ cup of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
4 to 5 tablespoons of whole milk
2 tablespoons of melted Crisco (original or butter)
½ teaspoon of almond extract, optional

Substitutions And Additions

SUGAR COOKIES: If you have a preferred sugar cookie recipe, you can substitute your own recipe for ours.

How To Make This Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together and set dry ingredients aside.

flour, baking powder, and salt whisked together in a bowl

STEP TWO: Using the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer and a large bowl, add the butter and beat on medium speed until soft and fluffy, about two minutes.

Add the cream cheese and continue to beat together until creamy and no lumps remain, about two minutes.

Add the sugar and continue beating for another two minutes or until fluffy.

After scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, turn the mixer on medium speed and add the eggs, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract.

Allow it to mix until fluffy, about two minutes.

butter added to the ingredients in a blender

STEP THREE: Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture while on low speed and allow the mixture to incorporate slowly until a dough forms.

Again, you’ll want to be sure to scrape the sides down with a rubber spatula as needed. Do not over-mix!

flour added to the cookie ingredients in a blender

STEP FOUR: Divide dough into two equal amounts, placing each in a piece of plastic wrap.

Wrap plastic wrap around the dough and refrigerate for one hour before rolling out the dough.

STEP FIVE: While your dough is chilling in the refrigerator, make your cinnamon filling.

Combine all ingredients for the cinnamon filling in a small bowl, stir together and then divide it in half and leave it sitting out until chilling time for the dough is complete.

Do not refrigerate the cinnamon filling, so it stays soft and spreadable.

cinnamon filling ingredients stirred in a bowl

STEP SIX: After chilling, remove the dough from the fridge. Dust powdered sugar on your whole area (a Silpat mat works best or a clean counter), dust the log and dust your hands.

You can use a rolling pin, but it’s easier to get your measurements quicker if you press it out by hand.

Roll out one log at a time to roughly 8×9 inches. You want the rolled dough to be about ¼-inch thick.

You don’t want it to be too thick, or it will lose the cinnamon roll shape while baking in the oven!

PRO TIP:

Flipping the cinnamon roll cookie dough over while rolling will prevent the dough from sticking to your silicone mat. I also rolled out the dough on a floured surface to help keep it from sticking.

cookie dough placed on a flour wooden board

STEP SEVEN: One log at a time, evenly spread ½ of the cinnamon mixture over the dough, and get ready to roll!

It’s important that whatever end you choose to be the inside of the roll has cinnamon all the way to the edge.

half the cinnamon filling mix spread over the dough and on the bottom end spread on the edges

STEP EIGHT: For the opposite end (which will be the largest end part of the spiral), leave a ¼-inch of the area along the whole edge that does not have cinnamon filling on it.

PRO TIP:

Leaving a bit of plain dough helps the dough glue to itself, completing the perfect spiral without having to deal with the butter in the cinnamon filling that could make it unstick in the baking process, leaving you with a loose, sloppy spiral.

Tightly roll the dough into a 9-inch log. The center of the cookie is the start of the rolling process so go slowly, if it starts to crack or bunch, hold your hand over that area for a few seconds, so the warmth from your hands warms the dough.

By warming the dough, it makes it more elastic so you can easily patch any crack or hole with your fingers and continue rolling.

STEP NINE: Once logs are tightly rolled, wrap them in plastic wrap and chill for two hours.

STEP TEN: Remove the cinnamon roll cookie logs and place them on a large cutting board. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

A serrated knife can be used, but dental floss works best to cut the cookies. Put a long piece of dental floss underneath the log to make a cut for a ½-inch cookie.

Pull each piece of floss to the opposite side of the log, slicing gently through the dough.

The gentleness of the floss cutting from one side to the other helps the log not to be squished down by the knife.

If you do use a knife, be very gentle while pressing down to cut through the log. You want to work quickly to ensure the logs are still chilled when you cut them.

Cut each cookie to a thickness of about ½-inch slice. Again, you don’t want it to be thicker than that, so it doesn’t lose its shape.

PRO TIP:

These cookies need to be placed in the oven while still cold! This is what helps them to maintain their rolled shape!

cookies sliced from the rolled up dough using a knife

STEP ELEVEN: Place each cookie on the silicone baking mat or prepared baking sheet 2-inches apart from each other or about 12 on a sheet.

STEP TWELVE: Bake for 8 to 11 minutes. Remove from the oven right as they start to brown on the edges. Do not overcook these cookies.

They are best when they are taken out of the oven when they are still light and golden brown.

They may appear to be undercooked but will continue cooking inside after removing from the oven.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cookies as the suggested baking time approaches.

cookies before and after being baked on a cookie sheet

STEP THIRTEEN: Leave cookies on the baking mat or cookie sheet for three minutes before removing them to a cooling rack.

For The Icing

STEP ONE: While the cookies are cooling, make your icing. Whisk all icing ingredients together in a bowl.

If the mixture is too thick for your liking, add additional milk, ½ teaspoon at a time.

Add powdered sugar one teaspoon at a time if it is too thin until the desired consistency is reached.

icing ingredients whisked together in a bowl

STEP TWO: Drizzle the icing over the cookies.

PRO TIP:

Leave the cookies on the wire rack while drizzling the icing so that it doesn’t pool around the cookies.

How To Serve

These delightful cookies will be a welcome treat any time the craving strikes.

Enjoy them with a cup of coffee, whipped hot chocolate, or a homemade pumpkin spice latte.

Want more cookie recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth? These crowd-pleasing copycat Doubletree cookies have been a reader favorite for years.

Of course, traditional chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies are always yummy!

MORE CINNAMON ROLL RECIPES

Breakfast Casseroles

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Cake Recipes

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Storing Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

ON THE COUNTER: Store cookies in an airtight container on the counter for three to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze these delicious cookies in an airtight container for up to three months.

close up overhead shot of a plate of Cinnamon Roll Cookies topped with icing

These delish cookies offer a winning flavor that is the perfect easy, comforting dessert to serve year-round or as part of your holiday baking. You’ll want to make these easy cinnamon roll cookies again and again (try our copycat Cinnabon cinnamon rolls and yummy crescent roll cinnamon rolls, too!).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I freeze the cookie dough log?

Yes! Just wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze. Thaw frozen dough, slice, and bake.

Can I use a different sugar cookie recipe?

If you have a preferred sugar cookie recipe, you can certainly use that in this recipe.

How do I store these cookies?

These cookies will be fine stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to four days.

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Cinnamon Roll Cookies

5 from 3 votes

You'll love this fun twist on classic cinnamon rolls — full of buttery sugar cookie dough, plus a cinnamon sugar filling, and drizzled with homemade icing on top.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 4 20

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

Sugar Cookies

3 cups flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon almond extract

Cinnamon Filling

8 tablespoons butter, melted
4 tablespoons cinnamon
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup brown sugar

Icing

2 cups powdered sugar
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 to 5 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons melted Crisco, original or butter
½ teaspoon almond extract, optional

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together and set aside.
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, add the butter and beat on medium until soft and fluffy, about two minutes. Add the cream cheese and continue to beat together until creamy and no lumps remain, about two minutes. Add the sugar and continue beating for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until fluffy.
After stopping the mixer, scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Turn the mixer on medium speed and add the eggs, pure vanilla extract, and almond extract. Allow it to mix until fluffy, about two minutes.
Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture while on low speed and allow the mixture to incorporate slowly. Again, you'll want to be sure to scrape the sides down with a rubber spatula as needed. Do not over-mix!
Divide the dough into two equal amounts, placing each in a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap plastic wrap around dough and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before rolling dough.
While your dough is chilling in the refrigerator, make your cinnamon filling. Combine all ingredients for the cinnamon filling in a small mixing bowl, stir together and then divide it in half and leave sitting out until chilling time for the dough is complete. Do not refrigerate the cinnamon filling so it stays soft and spreadable.
After chilling, remove the dough from the fridge. Dust powdered sugar on the surface (Silpat mat works best or a clean counter), dust the log and dust your hands. You can use a rolling pin, but it’s easier to get your measurements quicker if you press it out by hand. Roll out one log at a time to roughly 8×9 inches. You want the rolled dough to be about ¼-inch thick. If it is too thick, it will lose the cinnamon roll shape while baking in the oven!
One log at a time, evenly spread ½ of the cinnamon mixture over the dough and get ready to roll! It’s important that whatever end you choose to be the inside of the roll has cinnamon all the way to the edge.
On the opposite end (the largest end part of the spiral within the roll), leave a ¼-inch area along the whole edge that does not have cinnamon filling on it. The bit of plain dough helps the dough glue to itself, completing the perfect spiral without having to deal with the butter in the cinnamon filling that could make it unstick in the baking process, leaving you with a loose, sloppy spiral.
Tightly roll the dough into a 9-inch log. The center of the cookie is the start of the rolling process, so go slowly, if it starts to crack or bunch, hold your hand over that area for a few seconds, so the warmth from your hands warms the dough. By warming the dough, it makes it more elastic so you can easily patch a little crack or hole with your fingers and continue rolling.
Once the logs are tightly rolled, wrap them in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
Remove your cinnamon roll cookie logs and place them on a large cutting board. Preheat your oven now to 350°F. Serrated knives can cut the cookies, but dental floss works best. Put a long piece of dental floss underneath the log in place to make a cut for a ½-inch cookie. Pull each piece of floss to the opposite side of the log, slicing gently through the dough. The gentleness of the floss cutting from one side to the other helps the log not to be squished down by the knife.
If you do use a knife, be very gentle while pressing down to cut through the log. You want to work quickly to ensure the logs are still chilled when you cut them. Cut each cookie to a thickness of about ½-inch. Again, you don't want it to be thicker than that, so it doesn't lose its shape.
Place each cookie on a silicone baking mat and place in the oven 2-inches apart from each other or about 12 on a sheet.
Bake for 8 to 11 minutes. Remove from the oven right as they start to brown on the edges. Do not overcook these cookies. They are best when they are taken out of the oven when they are still light and golden. They may appear to be undercooked but will continue cooking inside after removing from the oven.
Leave on the baking mat for 3 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Icing

While the cookies are cooling, make your icing. Whisk all icing ingredients together in a bowl. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, add additional milk ½ teaspoon at a time. Add powdered sugar 1 teaspoon at a time if it is too thin until desired consistency is reached.
Drizzle the icing over the cookies

Video

Notes

Flipping the cinnamon roll cookie dough over while rolling will prevent the dough from sticking to your silicone mat. I also rolled out the dough on a floured surface to help keep it from sticking.
Leaving a bit of plain dough helps the dough glue to itself, completing the perfect spiral without having to deal with the butter in the cinnamon filling that could make it unstick in the baking process, leaving you with a loose, sloppy spiral.
These cookies need to be placed in the oven while still cold. This is what helps them to maintain their rolled shape.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your cookies as the suggested baking time approaches.
Leave the cookies on the wire rack while drizzling the icing so that it doesn’t pool around the cookies.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Sian Cox Photographer
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

How To Make This Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

How To Serve

Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Storing Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

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