Do you love cinnamon rolls? How about cookies? What if I told you that you could have the best of both worlds in one delicious treat? Say hello to cinnamon roll cookies! These cookies are sweet, cinnamon-y, and perfect for satisfying your cravings. Plus, they’re easy to make at home.
I’m a big fan of all things breakfast foods. I think breakfast may be my favorite meal of the day. When I’m able to choose between things like breakfast tater tot casserole or maple cinnamon rolls, I know it’s going to be a good day! These cinnamon roll cookies take the best parts of breakfast and turns them into a delicious dessert.
What are Cinnamon Roll Cookies?
Cinnamon Roll Cookies are the best of both worlds. They are a soft, chewy cookie that is full of cinnamon roll flavors. Like a classic cinnamon roll, these cookies are topped with a buttercream type frosting that takes these cookies to the next level.
Cinnamon Rolls Cookies are often served with coffee or hot chocolate. They are the perfect treat for any occasion, and are sure to please even the most discerning palate.
Cinnamon Roll Cookie Ingredients
These cookies are made from simple baking ingredients you may already have in your pantry. You’ll need ingredients for the cookies, the frosting and the cinnamon sugar coating. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted sweet cream butter– You will need butter for both the cookies and the topping. Let the butter sit on the counter for about 30-minutes to soften.
- Sugar– Use the measuring cup to scoop and pack your sugar. You will need basic white sugar for both the cookies and the topping.
- Light brown sugar– When using sugar, always use the measuring cup to scoop and pack it.
- Large eggs– In baking, room temperature eggs work best. Set the eggs on the counter with the butter before baking.
- Pure vanilla extract– I use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, but you can use imitation vanilla flavoring if that’s all you have. You will need this for both the cookies and the frosting.
- Flour– Unlike sugar, flour should not be packed. Instead, use a spoon to scoop the flour into the cup and then level it off with a butter knife.
- Cornstarch– Cornstarch gives your cookies that crispy exterior.
- Cream of tartar-Cream of tartar is a powdery substance that’s derived from tartaric acid. It’s commonly used as a leavening agent, and it helps to give cinnamon roll cookies their distinctive texture.
- Baking powder & Soda– You will need both baking powder and baking soda. Both are used to help your cookie rise, giving it a fluffy interior texture.
- Ground cinnamon– Cinnamon will be infused in your cookie batter, but you’ll also need it for the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Kosher salt– If you don’t have kosher salt, you can use regular table salt, but it isn’t going to give the cookies as much flavor.
- Powdered sugar– You cannot use white sugar to make the frosting. Powdered sugar is essential to get the right texture and consistency.
- Heavy whipping cream– If you don’t have heavy whipping cream, you can make it. To make 1 cup, combine ¼ cup of melted butter with ¾ cup of milk.
- Piping bag– In addition to the ingredients, you will also need a large piping bag fitted with a large round tip to pipe the frosting onto the cookies.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies
These cookies are one of my all-time favorite desserts. They’re essentially a cross between a traditional cinnamon roll and a sugar cookie, and they’re absolutely delicious, but so easy to make. Follow the steps below!
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First, preheat oven to 350?. Then, line two cookie sheets with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Butter, Sugars, & Eggs
Using a standing mixer, beat the butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until creamy and
Fluffy.
Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together (flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt).
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients
Next, gradually beat in the dry ingredients into the wet until a dough has formed.
Step 5: Roll the Dough Into Balls
Using a medium ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop out a mound of dough into your hand and roll into a ball.
Step 6: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
In a small bowl, mix 2 cups of sugar with 3 tbsp ground cinnamon. Then, roll each dough ball into the cinnamon mixture to coat.
Step 7: Form the Cookies
Place the dough balls on the cookie sheet, and then gently press them down into a thick disk.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Finally, bake the cookies in the oven for 10-13 minutes or until the cookies are a light golden color.
Step 9: Let Cool
Once the cookies are done, allow them to sit on the cookie sheet and cool completely. While they cool, continue to step 10.
Step 10: Make the Cinnamon Vanilla Frosting
Using a standing mixer, beat the butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and heavy whipping
cream in a medium sized mixing bowl until creamy and holds a peak.
Step 11: Pipe the Frosting
Once the cookies are cool, scoop the frosting into the piping bag. Then, frost a tight circular spiral around the top of the cookie.
Step 12: Top with Cinnamon
Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top of the cookies
Enjoy!
Can I Make Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Cookies?
Yes! These cookies can easily be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I have not tried this recipe with a gluten-free flour blend, but I’m confident it will work well.
How to Store Cinnamon Roll Cookies
To store your cinnamon roll cookies, simply place them in an airtight container. I like to put them in a plastic baggie or Tupperware. If you are using a plastic bag, be sure to squeeze out all the air before sealing it. Cinnamon Roll Cookies will stay fresh for up to one week when stored in this way.
If you’re worried about them going stale, you can also put them in the freezer. Place the cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost the cookies at room temperature before enjoying.
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
We love a good cookie around here! Some of our other favorites are:
- Chai Latte Cookies
- Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Iced Ricotta Cookies
- Peanut Butter Bacon Cookies
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
A soft and chewy cinnamon roll inspired cookie with vanilla frosting.
Ingredients
- 2 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 C sugar
- 4 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 C flour
- 4 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 2 C sugar
- 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon vanilla frosting
- 1 ½ C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 3 ½ C powdered sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 large piping bag fitted with large round tip
- Ground cinnamon to topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cookie sheets with a silicone baking mat.
- Using a standing mixer, beat the butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until creamy and fluffy.
- Using a large bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- Gradually beat in the dry ingredients into the wet until a dough has formed.
- Using a medium ice cream scooper, scoop out a mound of dough into your hand and roll into a ball.
- Roll the cookie dough balls into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Gently press the dough balls into a thick disk onto the cookie sheets.
- Bake in the oven for 10-13 minutes or until a light golden color.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Using a standing mixer, beat the butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and heavy whipping cream until creamy and holds a peak.
- Scoop the frosting into the piping bag.
- Using the piping bag, frost a tight circular spiral around the top of the cookie.
- Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top of the cookies. Enjoy!
Other desserts we love
Want more sweet treats? Be sure to check out:
Did you make these cookies? I’d love for you to leave a review in the comments below or the recipe card above. Want to make them later? Pin the image below to your favorite cookie board. THANK YOU for the support!
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- Slow Cooker Ground Beef Tacos - October 30, 2023
- Pumpkin Cream Iced Chai Latte - October 23, 2023
Jane's Adventures in Dinner says
LOVE! My Gran always made these-we call them roly poly’s.
Kelley says
Oh cute! Roly polys. Thats a better name 🙂
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
These sound absolutely amazing! I love cinnamon and all the health benefits that go along with it but I hated it too when I was younger. What a clever recipe!
Kelley says
Thanks Joanie! And your right, so many good benefits to cinnamon! Plus, its pretty delicious in cookies 😉
Crystal says
Yummy!! I love cinnamon rolls. Can’t wait to try them. Pinned 🙂
Kelley says
Thanks Crystal! Let me know how they turn out if you try them!
Emily says
Yumm! These look amazing!
We would love for you to come link up with us at Your Designs This Time, Mondays 8:00am EST. http://www.elizabethjoandesigns.com.
Kelley says
Ohh Ill stop by now! Thanks!
Emily says
Thanks for linking up with us at Your Designs This Time.
Can’t wait to see what you share next Monday!
Emily & Erin @ http://www.elizabethjoandesigns.com
Kelley says
Thanks so much for the invite!
Diane Balch says
Love the cinnamon story and love your roll cookies too. Thanks so much for sharing them on foodie friday.
Kelley says
Thanks Diane! 🙂
Adelina Priddis says
haha I love your story! Made me think of what I may have been “prissy” about, lol. Definitely coffee…and I still kind of am, but I try to keep it to myself. But really the smell of it makes me gag. I wish they would not put it in the same aisle with cereal at the grocery store. When I was pregnant was the worst though – I think I made my husband get the cereal because I could not walk past it.
I want to make these cookies for breakfast…and after school snack…and for my hidden stash. They look so cute and warm and delicious.
Kelley says
Ohh.. coffee is the best smell! I love the way the coffee aisle smells. We can still be friends and chat over these cookies though. 😉
Elaine says
Mmm, those look delicious! What a great treat with butter and cinnamon, Yummy!
Kelley says
Thanks so much!
Faith Lohr says
Oh yum!!! These are another recipe I’m pinning. I will have to try this with my kiddos! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Kelley says
My pleasure! Hope yall enjoy them!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
Ha! Funny….I can’t exactly imagine you “prissy” but I guess it’s a good thing we change from the way we are in high school!! 🙂
Kelley says
Haha! Isn’t that the truth! 🙂
Lg says
Yesterday I sent in comment re/cinnamon roll cookies. Yes,it was bad review for this recipe,I was trying to avoid someone else wasting much time &food products by NOT trying crcookies. Guess you do not post negative reviews……..
Kelley says
Hi LG. Sorry that the cookies didn’t work out for you! That is the exact recipe that I used to make mine. I didn’t grease my cookie sheet because I use baking mat when I bake. I hope the cookies weren’t a complete loss!
Debbie Bader says
Hi Kelley, I made these delicious cookies, but had to add about 3 1/4 cups of flour to make a stiff dough. The recipe didn’t say how much dough to use for each one. I guessed & I flattened the dough to a 3″ long piece & rolled them up. I did push them down a bit. But many of them fell over while baking & didn’t resemble cinnamon rolls at all. I’m making them for snacking on the few days relatives are all togwther for our daughter’s wedding. They are delicious even though they don’t look like your pictures. I’m icing them with a cream cheese glaze. I am glad I made them. Any hints would be appreciated. God bless!
Kelley says
Oh thats good to know! I am going to make these cookies again with a better tutorial. Ill let you know when I do and if I added any flour. Im glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for the comment!
Samantha says
Okay.. i really want to make them, but I am just not understanding how to make them look like this.. HELP! 🙂
Kelley says
Hey Samantha! I rolled mine out into mini rectangles, put the cinnamon and sugar on, and then rolled them up like a taco. They look like small little logs but they cooked down to the cookies you see. Hope that helps! Feel free to send me pictures if you make these!