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Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Hey y'all! If you love the cozy flavors of cinnamon rolls and the irresistible texture of a soft sugar cookie, you're in for a real treat. These Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies combine everything you crave—chewy centers, buttery edges, a luscious cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a dreamy cream cheese glaze. They're perfect for holidays, parties, or just a little weekday pick-me-up. Let’s get baking!

Why You'll Love This Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe

  • Every bite is ultra-soft and chewy, just like your favorite bakery cookies.
  • Features a delightful swirl of cinnamon and brown sugar for classic cinnamon roll flavor.
  • Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients make these cookies easy to whip up anytime.
  • Cream cheese glaze adds an extra touch of indulgent sweetness.
  • Perfect for gifting, sharing, or freezing for later snacking!

Ingredients for Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  • For the Cookies:
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • For the Cinnamon Swirl:
  • ¼ cup (50g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
  • 2 oz (55g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk, as needed

How to Make Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients just until combined—don’t overmix!

Step 2: Create the Cinnamon Swirl

  1. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until a thick paste forms.
  2. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough per cookie and flatten each ball slightly in your palm.
  3. Spoon a small amount of cinnamon swirl mixture (about ½ teaspoon) onto the center and fold the edges over to seal it inside. Gently roll into a ball again.

Step 3: Bake the Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  1. Place cookie dough balls on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
  2. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly underbaked—they’ll firm up as they cool.
  3. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Glaze and Serve

  1. For the glaze, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat until creamy. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the glaze is thick yet pourable.
  2. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies. Let set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes for Perfect Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  • Do not overbake—cookies should look slightly underdone in the center for that soft, chewy texture.
  • Use high-quality cinnamon for the most aromatic flavor; learn more about cinnamon varieties at King Arthur Baking.
  • If the dough is too sticky, chill for 20 minutes before shaping.
Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Variations on Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  • Maple Glaze: Swap the vanilla in the glaze for pure maple extract.
  • Chocolate Chip: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough for extra decadence.
  • Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour (see Serious Eats for recommendations).

Required Equipment for Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Measuring cups and spoons

How to Store Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • For longer storage, freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
  • Chilled cookies may be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Serving Suggestions for Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  • Serve with a mug of hot coffee or chai for a comforting treat.
  • Pair with vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
  • Wrap in cellophane and tie with ribbon for a sweet homemade gift.

Pro Tips for the Best Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

  • Bring all your ingredients to room temperature for even mixing (see more tips at Sally's Baking Addiction).
  • For a thicker cookie, chill the shaped dough balls for 30 minutes before baking.
  • Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies and consistent baking.

Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies FAQ

Can I freeze the dough for later?
Yes, you can freeze the shaped dough balls (without glaze) on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
Why did my cookies turn out dry?
Most likely, the cookies were overbaked or too much flour was added. Always measure flour properly and watch bake times closely.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese for the glaze for a tasty dairy-free alternative.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 40 minutes

★★★★★ 4.50 from 68 ratings

Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

yield: 18 cookies
prep: 25 mins
cook: 12 mins
total: 37 mins
These Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies combine the best of both worlds: the tender, buttery texture of sugar cookies with the sweet, spiced swirl of classic cinnamon rolls. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack.
Soft Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for filling)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. 1
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. 2
    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. 3
    In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
  4. 4
    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  5. 5
    In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough, flatten each, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Fold and gently roll again to create a swirl effect.
  6. 6
    Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set. Cool completely, then drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 170 caloriescal
Protein: 2gg
Fat: 7gg
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Potassium: 0mg
Total Carbs: 25gg
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Net Carbs: 0g
Vitamin A: 0
Vitamin C: 0mg
Calcium: 0mg
Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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