Description
These Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies combine the beloved flavors of cinnamon rolls with the soft, chewy texture of classic sugar cookies. Featuring a tender cinnamon swirl and a smooth cream cheese frosting, they are perfect for a sweet treat or special occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks butter (1 cup), softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
Cinnamon Filling
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Make the sugar cookie dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, mixing until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Prepare cinnamon dough: Remove one-quarter of the dough and place it into a small bowl. Stir in the brown sugar and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. Refrigerate the remaining plain sugar cookie dough for at least 2 hours or up to overnight to firm up.
- Assemble the cinnamon roll log: On a sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap, press the plain sugar cookie dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Evenly spread the cinnamon-sugar dough over the entire rectangle. Starting at one short edge, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log using the parchment to help guide it. Wrap the log tightly in the parchment and freeze for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to set.
- Preheat oven and slice cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the dough log from the freezer and slice it into 1/3-inch (about 1 cm) rounds. Arrange the slices about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies for 10–11 minutes for soft sugar cookies or 12 minutes if you prefer them a bit crispier. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until you reach a piping consistency suitable for decorating the cookies.
- Frost the cookies: Once the cookies are mostly cooled, transfer the frosting to a piping bag or a small plastic bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the cream cheese frosting over the top of each cookie to finish.
Notes
- For firmer dough easier to slice, freeze overnight.
- Use parchment paper to easily roll and shape the dough log.
- Adjust baking time based on desired cookie texture – less time for soft, longer for crispier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container with frosting to keep them soft for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
