Imagine the cozy aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, but in the easy-to-share, irresistible form of a cookie. That’s exactly what you’ll find with these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies! Swirled with buttery cinnamon-sugar filling and wrapped in a melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie dough, they’re the ultimate treat for anyone who loves the flavors of a classic cinnamon roll but craves the convenience of a cookie. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, gifting friends, or just treating yourself, this recipe promises pure joy in every bite.

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple, everyday ingredients come together to create Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies with layers of flavor and the perfect texture. Each component plays a special role, from the creamy richness of butter to the warm hug of cinnamon—let’s see what you’ll need:

Unsalted Butter: For both the cookie dough and filling, it creates a tender texture and keeps the flavor balanced.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar in the filling brings deep, caramel notes that contrast beautifully with the light cookie dough.
All Purpose Flour: This flour keeps the cookies sturdy but soft; be sure to measure it accurately for the best results.
Ground Cinnamon: The star spice—delivers that signature cinnamon roll swirl and irresistible scent.
Pinch of Salt: Just a touch in the filling brightens and balances the sweetness.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookie dough and helps the cookies achieve those lightly golden edges.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors and gives the cookies a classic, comforting backdrop.
Egg + Egg Yolk: One whole egg plus an extra yolk keep the dough rich and chewy, just the way a good sugar cookie should be.
Baking Powder: Gives the cookies the perfect amount of rise without turning cakey.
Cornstarch: A secret for ultra-soft cookies; don’t skip it!
Extra Pinch of Salt: Ensures the dough isn’t one-note sweet, but perfectly balanced.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Filling

Begin by mixing together the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Use a fork or a mini spatula and keep stirring until you have a smooth, thick paste. This is your secret to that swirled, gooey cinnamon roll flavor! Pop this filling into the freezer for about 10 minutes while you move on to the cookie dough—this will make it easy to break into chunks later.

Step 2: Make the Sugar Cookie Dough

Get your mixer ready! In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is pale and creamy—this makes your cookies light, not dense. Add in your vanilla, the egg, and the extra yolk. Mix until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed so everything’s incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, beating on low until just blended. The dough should be soft and a little sticky, but not wet.

Step 3: Layer the Dough and Cinnamon Filling

This is where the Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies become magical! Take out half of your cookie dough and set it aside. Spread the remaining dough over the bottom of your mixing bowl. Grab the cinnamon filling from the freezer, and using two spoons, break off little pieces and scatter half of them all over the dough in the bowl. Take the reserved dough and layer it over the cinnamon bits—either press it in with your fingers or spread it as best you can. Top with the rest of the cinnamon pieces. You’ll have two layers of dough, each crowned with cinnamon-sugar filling.

Step 4: Gently Swirl the Layers

To mimic the beloved look of cinnamon rolls, gently fold the layered dough just a couple times—think big up-and-over strokes with a spatula. Then finish with one or two gentle stirs. Don’t overmix! The goal is to keep visible streaks and chunks of cinnamon throughout the dough for that beautiful marbled effect.

Step 5: Portion and Chill the Dough

Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, portion out balls of dough (about two tablespoons each). Make sure every scoop has both dough and cinnamon. Place the dough balls onto a plate and chill them in the freezer for ten minutes. This quick flash-freeze helps the cookies bake up thick, not flat, with distinct cinnamon swirls.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Arrange the chilled dough balls a couple of inches apart on lined baking sheets. For thicker cookies, leave them as high mounds; for thinner, gently flatten each ball. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers look barely underdone. They’ll continue to set up as they cool. Some cookies may look a bit wonky—if you want, use a round cutter or spoon to nudge the cookies into perfect circles as soon as they come out of the oven.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool completely on their baking sheets, set over wire racks. This allows them to firm up and become blissfully chewy, with cinnamon pockets throughout. Your kitchen will smell incredible, and yes, it’s as hard to wait as it sounds!

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are already indulgent, but why not add a flourish? A drizzle of simple glaze (just powdered sugar and milk) or a dusting of extra cinnamon sugar right after baking makes them feel like bakery treats. You could even add a little cream cheese icing if you want them to taste exactly like a classic cinnamon roll.

Side Dishes

These cookies are made for pairing! Set them out with cold milk, a cozy mug of coffee, or spicy chai. Feeling festive? Serve alongside fruit salad for a brunch spread, or with vanilla ice cream for a heavenly contrast of warm cookie and chilly creaminess.

Creative Ways to Present

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are showstoppers on a holiday tray, but they also shine as edible gifts. Stack a few in a cellophane bag with a tied ribbon, or layer them between parchment in a bakery box. For something extra special, try sandwiching two cookies with cream cheese frosting for an irresistible whoopie pie-style treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keeps on the counter in an airtight container for up to four days. The cookies stay soft and chewy, with that fabulous cinnamon swirl staying just as gooey as ever. If you’d like them a touch firmer, store them in the fridge instead.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies! Place baked cookies in a single layer on a baking tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months. You can also freeze portioned, unbaked dough balls and bake straight from frozen—add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To get that just-baked warmth back, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 8-10 seconds. If you’re craving that gooey swirl, this step is a must! A quick reheat also helps revive the aromatic magic of the cookies’ cinnamon sugar filling.

FAQs

How do I make sure the cinnamon swirl stays visible in every cookie?

The key is to avoid overmixing after layering the cinnamon filling and cookie dough. A couple of gentle folds with a spatula will give you gorgeous cinnamon streaks in each bite.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Absolutely! Just reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe, since salted butter will bring enough to balance out the sweetness.

Why do I have to freeze the dough balls before baking?

Quick chilling keeps your cookies thick and ensures those beautiful cinnamon swirls don’t disappear into flat cookies. It also helps the butter set up so the cookies bake evenly.

How can I make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Keep in mind the texture may shift slightly, but the flavor will still shine through!

My cookies came out misshapen. Can I fix them?

Right after you pull the cookies from the oven, use a round cutter or the edge of a spoon to gently scoot them into a circle. The cookies are soft and pliable while hot, so it’s easy to get that perfect bakery shape.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to spread smiles and satisfy every cinnamon roll craving, these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are a must-bake. Whether you enjoy them warm from the oven or gift them to loved ones, they’re bound to become an instant favorite. Don’t wait—gather your ingredients and bake a batch today. You’ll be glad you did!