Cinnamon Roll Cookies bring the comforting essence of traditional cinnamon rolls into a convenient, bite-sized form. If you’ve ever dreamt of enjoying the gooey, sweet goodness of cinnamon rolls but don’t want to deal with the time-consuming process of making dough from scratch, you’re in for a delightful surprise. These cookies combine the warmth and flavor of cinnamon rolls, wrapped up in the simple, no-fuss approach of cookies. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack, these cookies are bound to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
Why We Love This Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe
There are countless reasons to love Cinnamon Roll Cookies. First and foremost, they capture all the beloved flavors of cinnamon rolls in a fraction of the time. They’re soft, chewy, and filled with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling that makes each bite a little piece of heaven. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a holiday gathering, or just for yourself, these cookies offer satisfaction without a lot of work.
These cookies are not only delicious, but they also provide endless possibilities for customization. You can add your favorite nuts, sprinkle some icing on top, or even incorporate different spices like nutmeg for a twist. The versatility of this recipe means you can enjoy it in various ways while still retaining its comforting essence. Plus, the aroma of these cookies baking in your kitchen? It’s simply unbeatable!
Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Cookies
For your delightful Cinnamon Roll Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Making these Cinnamon Roll Cookies is an enjoyable process that anyone can tackle, regardless of your baking experience. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s at the perfect temperature for a nice, even bake.
Next, in a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. This step is crucial as it ensures that all the leavening agents and spices are evenly combined, leading to a uniform texture in your cookies.
In a separate bowl, take the softened unsalted butter and combine it with both granulated sugar and packed brown sugar. You want to cream them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This is where the magic of texture begins! After you’ve achieved that fluffy consistency, beat in the large egg and the vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and well incorporated.
Once your wet ingredients are ready, gradually mix in the dry ingredients you set aside earlier. It’s important to do this step gently; you want to combine them until everything is just mixed. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and nobody wants that.
Now, let’s prepare the delightful filling. In a small bowl, mix the packed brown sugar with the ground cinnamon until they’re well combined. This will add that signature cinnamon roll flavor to your cookies.
Taking half of your dough, spread it out on a piece of parchment paper into an even rectangle. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon filling over this layer of dough, making sure to cover as much surface area as possible. Then, roll the dough tightly from one end to the other, similar to how you’d roll a traditional cinnamon roll.
Once you have your dough rolled up, slice it into rounds about 1 inch thick and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between each cookie as they will spread while baking.
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as oven times can vary. Once out of the oven, allow them to cool slightly before enjoying!
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Serving Cinnamon Roll Cookies can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be. They are perfect on their own and great for breakfast paired with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a delightful dessert experience, you can pile them high on a decorative platter and sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top for presentation.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, consider drizzling an easy icing made from powdered sugar and milk over the tops of the cookies once they’ve cooled. This simple addition can elevate the aesthetics and add that extra sweetness that many people adore. You could even add in some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to your icing mix for a little extra flavor!
These cookies are incredibly versatile and can be paired with an array of accompaniments like whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or fresh fruit. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply enjoying a cozy evening in, these cookies will undoubtedly satisfy your sweet tooth and impress anyone lucky enough to snag one!
Expert Tips: Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Baking, like any art, often requires a few expert tips to truly shine. Here are several strategies that can make your Cinnamon Roll Cookies even better:
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature before you begin baking. This will allow for better incorporation and result in a fluffier cookie.
Measure Your Flour Correctly: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife instead of scooping directly from the bag. This method helps to avoid compacting the flour, which can lead to dense cookies.
Don’t Overmix: When combining your dry and wet ingredients, mix gently until just combined. This ensures that your cookies come out soft and chewy rather than tough.
Chill the Dough: If your dough is too sticky to handle, consider chilling it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will firm it up and make rolling easier.
Experiment with Spice: While cinnamon is the star here, feel free to experiment with adding nutmeg or even a pinch of ginger for a new dimension of flavor.
How to Store Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Once you’ve baked up a delightful batch of Cinnamon Roll Cookies, you’ll need to think about storage. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, placing them in the fridge will extend their freshness for a couple of weeks.
You might also consider freezing the cookies if you have extra. Simply place them in a single layer in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy another cookie, just pull one from the freezer, let it thaw, and enjoy!
Variations of Cinnamon Roll Cookies
While the classic cinnamon roll flavor is irresistible, there are plenty of ways to mix things up and create unique iterations of these cookies. Here are a few ideas to inspire your creativity in the kitchen:
Maple Pecan Cinnamon Roll Cookies: Add chopped pecans to your filling for a delightful crunch, and drizzle a maple glaze on top.
Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll Cookies: Replace half of the butter with pumpkin puree and incorporate pumpkin pie spice into the dough for a seasonal twist.
Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Roll Cookies: Mix mini chocolate chips into your dough for extra sweetness and richness.
Oatmeal Cinnamon Roll Cookies: Add oats to the dough for a hearty texture. You could even replace some of the flour with oats for a chewy, fiber-rich treat.
Nutty Cinnamon Roll Cookies: Experiment with different nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, either in the dough or as a topping for a unique crunch.
FAQ About Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, slice it into rounds, and freeze them raw. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them into a preheated oven directly from the freezer and enjoy hot, fresh cookies.
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If you find that your dough is sticky and difficult to handle, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This helps firm it up and makes rolling easier.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but keep in mind that this will alter the texture slightly. It might yield denser cookies, so consider mixing it with a bit of all-purpose flour for a lighter texture.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for a light golden brown color on the edges and a slight pale appearance in the center. They’ll continue to set as they cool down.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Equipment
- Oven
- Mixing Bowls:
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter Softened
- 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar
- 0.5 cup Brown Sugar Packed
- 1 large Egg
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 0.5 cup Brown Sugar For filling, packed
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon For filling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- In a small bowl, mix the filling ingredients: brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Take half of the dough and spread it out on parchment paper into a rectangle. Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly from one end to the other and slice into 1-inch rounds.
- Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving.
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