If you love the comfort of cinnamon rolls but want a treat that’s quick to whip up and easy to share, these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies will make your day. Imagine soft, buttery sugar cookies with gorgeous cinnamon swirls, capturing all that gooey, spiced nostalgia in one handheld bite. These cookies are a perfect twist on two classics—fancy enough for a celebration, but cozy enough for a quiet cup of coffee at home. Every swirl brings a cheerful hit of cinnamon and brown sugar, with a texture that’s perfectly chewy and irresistible.

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s a good chance you already have everything you need for these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies! Each ingredient plays a special role, whether it’s building the cookie’s soft structure, adding sweetness, or delivering that iconic cinnamon warmth. Here’s what you’ll gather:

Unsalted butter: Brings rich flavor and a tender crumb to both the dough and the cinnamon filling.
Light brown sugar: Adds a deep, molasses sweetness to the cinnamon swirl, making it super gooey and aromatic.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of both the dough and the filling, this keeps your cookies sturdy yet soft.
Ground cinnamon: Essential for those signature spicy swirls that mimic a classic cinnamon roll.
Salt: Just a pinch in the filling and dough balances the sweetness and brings out all the other flavors.
Baking powder and baking soda: A combo that gives just the right lift—think thick and soft, not flat or cakey.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens up the dough and helps the cookies bake up with golden edges.
Egg: Binds the dough together and delivers that chewy, cookie-center bite.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with a sweet, warm aroma—don’t skip it!

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

Start by making the irresistible cinnamon swirl. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, light brown sugar, a spoonful of flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until you have a smooth paste—it should look like the gooey center of a cinnamon roll! Pop this bowl into the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up, making it much easier to marble into your cookie dough later.

Step 2: Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough

Whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, which creates an airy cookie base. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well. Then, gradually stir in your dry ingredients, just until everything is incorporated—stop before the dough gets too tough!

Step 3: Assemble the Cookies

Divide your dough in half. Press one portion into the bottom of your mixing bowl, then tear off bits of chilled cinnamon filling and scatter them over the dough. Dot with the remaining cookie dough and more cinnamon filling. Now comes the fun part: gently fold everything together just a few times, so you create beautiful cinnamon swirls rather than fully mixing it in. You want those marbled streaks!

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Scoop out 2-tablespoon portions and shape them into balls. Arrange all the balls on a plate or tray and freeze for another 10 minutes. This little chill sets those swirls in place and guarantees puffy, bakery-style cookies that hold their shape in the oven.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart—they’ll spread as they bake. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underdone. Let them finish on a wire rack, where they’ll firm up into the perfect chewy Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

You can dress up these cookies with a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vanilla glaze, just like a real cinnamon roll. For an extra special finish, try sprinkling a tiny pinch of extra cinnamon on top while they’re still warm.

Side Dishes

Pair your Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies with a steamy mug of coffee, chai tea, or a tall glass of cold milk. For a festive dessert platter, serve alongside fresh fruit or a fruit compote to balance the sweetness and spice.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cookies in a rustic tin lined with parchment paper for gift-giving, or pile onto a tiered cake stand for brunch. Want to impress? Sandwich two cookies together with a smear of cream cheese frosting—delicious and reminiscent of classic cinnamon rolls!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They’ll stay soft and chewy, and those swirled flavors get even better overnight!

Freezing

Want to save some for later? Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Or, freeze unbaked dough balls—just bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. The cinnamon filling and dough both freeze beautifully.

Reheating

If you like your cookies warm and gooey, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. That swirl of cinnamon and butter will get wonderfully melty, just like the center of a fresh cinnamon roll.

FAQs

Can I make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies ahead of time?

Definitely! You can chill the dough or freeze the shaped balls in advance. Freshly baked or thawed from frozen, these cookies are always soft and flavorful.

How do I get perfect swirls in my cookies?

The trick is to only fold the cinnamon filling into the dough a couple of times—think marbling, not mixing. If you blend too much, the stripes will disappear, so stop folding as soon as you see those pretty streaks.

Do I have to use unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter gives you control over the saltiness, but if you only have salted butter, just skip most of the added salt in the recipe. The results will still be delicious.

Can I add nuts or raisins to these cookies?

Absolutely—try chopped pecans or walnuts in the filling for extra crunch, or sprinkle in a handful of plump raisins to lean even more into that cinnamon roll vibe.

Is it possible to make these gluten free?

You can experiment with your favorite cup-for-cup gluten free flour blend. The texture may change slightly, but with all those cinnamon swirls, they’ll still be scrumptious!

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are guaranteed to brighten any day, whether you’re baking for a party or just want a sweet pick-me-up. Once you’ve had one, you’ll want to share them with everyone you know—they’re that good. Take a little time, swirl in that cinnamon love, and let these cookies become your new favorite treat!

Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 26 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, with a sweet cinnamon filling swirled throughout each bite. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Instructions

Prepare the Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth, then freeze for 10 minutes.
Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and mix until well combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Assemble the Cookies: Divide dough in half. Press one half into the bottom of a bowl. Drop small pieces of cinnamon filling over the dough, then top with the remaining dough and cinnamon filling. Gently fold to create a marbled effect.
Chill the Dough: Portion dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls. Freeze for 10 minutes.
Bake the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place dough balls on the sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set and centers slightly undercooked. Let cool on a wire rack.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American