Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe

There is something utterly magical about the blend of warm cinnamon and sweet sugar in a cookie, and these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe bring that cozy feeling straight to your countertop. Imagine soft, buttery sugar cookies rolled with a luscious cinnamon-sugar swirl and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze that melts in your mouth. This recipe perfectly captures the beloved flavors of a cinnamon roll in a fun, easy-to-share cookie form that will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients may seem simple, but each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that beautiful golden color. From the creamy butter that adds richness to the cinnamon that brings the unmistakable warmth, every element is essential.

• All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The sturdy base that gives these cookies their soft yet structured texture.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for that perfect tender crumb.
• Baking soda (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a touch of lift and helps with browning to achieve those golden edges.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the cinnamon’s depth.
• Unsalted butter, softened (3/4 cup): Delivers luxurious flavor and moisture, key to that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
• Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Sweetness with a slight crunch that complements the soft cookie texture.
• Large egg (1): Binds the dough together and adds richness.
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Infuses the dough with a warm, fragrant sweetness to deepen the overall flavor.
• Milk (1 tablespoon): Keeps the dough pliable and tender, perfect for rolling.
• Unsalted butter, melted (1/4 cup): For the cinnamon filling, providing a tangy richness to soak the cinnamon sugar.
• Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Adds moist sweetness and caramel sauce vibes right inside the cookie swirl.
• Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The star of the filling, warming every bite with its spicy aroma.
• Powdered sugar (1 cup): The base for the glaze that adds a sweet, smooth finish.
• Milk (2 tablespoons): Mixed into the glaze for perfect drizzle consistency.
• Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Rounds out the glaze with a hint of floral sweetness.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep step ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking, making clean-up a breeze.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures each bite of dough has an even distribution of leaveners and seasoning, giving your cookies that perfect texture and a subtle hint of savory balance.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which is key to soft, tender cookies that almost melt on your tongue.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk to the creamed butter mixture. Beat just until combined. Each adds moisture and flavor, creating a rich dough that’s easy to work with and full of subtle complexity.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry into Wet

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring thoroughly but gently until a soft dough forms. Too much mixing can toughen your dough, so patience here means a more tender cookie.

Step 6: Roll Out the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. This rectangle shape is your canvas for creating the classic cinnamon roll swirl within each cookie.

Step 7: Add the Cinnamon Filling

Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a generous, even layer. This filling is your secret sauce that transforms ordinary sugar cookies into something downright addictive.

Step 8: Roll and Slice

Starting at one end, roll the dough tightly into a log. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Each slice reveals that gorgeous cinnamon swirl, setting the stage for the signature look of these cookies.

Step 9: Arrange for Baking

Place the cinnamon roll cookie slices onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart to allow gentle spreading as they bake.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden brown. This brief bake keeps the centers soft with a slight crispness on the edges.

Step 11: Cool Completely

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing. This step ensures your glaze stays lovely and doesn’t melt away.

Step 12: Make and Drizzle the Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle generously over the cooled cookies for an irresistibly sweet, silky finish that ties the entire Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe together.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe

Garnishes

For an extra-special touch, consider sprinkling a bit of finely chopped pecans or a pinch of flaky sea salt right on the glaze before it sets. These little details add crunch or a salty-sweet kick that beautifully complements the cinnamon sugar flavors.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of chai tea or coffee to echo the spiced cinnamon notes. For brunch, they make a fabulous sweet companion to savory dishes like scrambled eggs or bacon.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a few cookies on a pretty plate tied with twine for a rustic look, or arrange them alongside fresh fruit slices and a dollop of vanilla yogurt for a sweet treat tray that’s as visually inviting as it is delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cinnamon roll sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and fresh, ready for an afternoon snack or an impromptu dessert anytime you want to relive that cozy cinnamon roll experience.

Freezing

You can freeze both the unbaked cookie slices and the baked cookies. For unbaked, arrange slices on a tray to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies freeze well when wrapped tightly and placed in an airtight container, maintaining their deliciousness for about 2 months.

Reheating

Gently warm leftover cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low-temperature oven (300°F/150°C) for 5 minutes. This revives their soft, fresh-baked charm wonderfully and makes the glaze taste freshly set.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of flour for this recipe?

While all-purpose flour is best for the ideal texture, you can substitute with pastry flour for an even more tender cookie or whole wheat flour for added nuttiness, though the texture will be slightly different.

Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend and add a little extra xanthan gum if not already included in the blend to help maintain structure and chewiness.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Chill the dough wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 24 hours before rolling and filling. This can even enhance the flavors as they meld together.

What can I use if I don’t have brown sugar for the filling?

You can substitute with coconut sugar or a mix of white sugar and molasses, but brown sugar gives the best traditional caramel-like flavor.

Will these cookies taste good without the glaze?

They’re delicious either way, but the glaze adds an extra layer of sweetness and that signature look that perfectly finishes these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe.

Final Thoughts

If you love cinnamon rolls but want something quicker and perfectly portable, you absolutely have to try these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe. Their tender, cinnamon-swirled centers and sweet glaze bring all the best parts of your favorite pastry to cookie form. Whether for a special occasion or just because, these cookies will warm your heart and your kitchen with every bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become a new staple you’ll want to bake again and again!

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