These Cinnamon Roll Cookies are cute and delicious which makes them perfect for a cookie exchange.
I belong to a wonderful group of food bloggers here in LA and our annual Christmas Cookie Exchange is one of the highlights. Thanks, Erika from In Erika’s Kitchen for hosting this fun day.
I was looking for a unique cookie to bring and stumbled upon this recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Cookies are not my forte so I have to call on expert help, and Sally is an expert.
Today’s Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Cookies
I had every ingredient on hand for these cookies, and you’ll likely have them on hand too because they’re basic and simple. You’ll agree that this is a huge bonus – there was no shopping required. The recipe makes a basic sugar cookie dough that you roll out and brush with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
Next tightly roll up the dough, just as if you were making real cinnamon rolls.
There will be cracks in the dough as you roll, just pinch together when necessary.
Once the dough has chilled for 2 hours, cut it into 1/2 inch thick slices.
While the cookies bake for 10-11 minutes, make the simple 3-ingredient frosting.
Once the cookies are out of the oven place them on a rack to cool completely before you drizzle the frosting over them.
These adorable – and scrumptious – Cinnamon Roll Cookies will be the hit of your next cookie exchange or holiday party. These cookies keep perfectly in an air-tight container for 5 days at room temperature.
Dorothy from Shockingly Delicious had a great idea about adding 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in the icing for an even bigger cinnamon bomb flavor. I will try that next time I make them.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups 281g all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup 170g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup 150g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Filling
- 2 tablespoons 15g butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/4 cup 50g granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Icing
- 1 cup 120g confectioners' sugar
- 3 tablespoons 45ml milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
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Make the dough: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
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Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on high speed until creamy. On medium-high speed, beat in the granulated sugar until completely creamed and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat on high until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
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Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. If the dough still seems too soft, you can add 1 Tablespoon more flour until it is a better consistency for rolling.
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Shape and fill: Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Roll each portion out in a rectangle (about 9x7 inches) onto a floured silicone baking mat (or floured parchment paper) to about 1/4″ thickness. Spread 1 Tablespoon of melted butter onto each rectangle. Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together then sprinkle evenly over each.
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Working slowly, tightly roll up each rectangle into a 9-inch log. If the dough is cracking at all, use your fingers to smooth it out. Some cracks are OK. Chill the logs of dough for at least 2 hours. What I like to do is carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board or plate and cover loosely with plastic wrap.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. (Always recommended for cookies.)
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Remove dough logs from the refrigerator. Cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place slices onto baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10-11 minutes, until lightly browned on the sides. Remove from the oven, allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
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Make the icing: Whisk all of the icing ingredients together. Drizzle over cookies. Cover and store cookies at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Make ahead tip: Baked cookies (with or without icing) freeze well up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. You can chill the cookie dough for up to 2 days (step 5). You can also freeze the cookie dough before rolling for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature for about 1 hour. Then roll and continue with the recipe as directed.
Recipe Notes
prep time: 2 hrs, 20 mins. (includes chilling time)
total time: 2 hr., 40 mins.
These Cinnamon Roll Cookies travel well and can be stacked on a plate.
They were in good company at our cookie exchange.
And because we all need a few more yummy cookie recipes here are a few links to the other recipes that we devoured.
Hope you have a delicious holiday season.
…and then, she paused for thought to drool over these cookies.
Flourless Caramel Oat Cookies (Gluten-Free) from Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Sicilian Christmas Cookies From Judy at My Well Seasoned Life
Gingerbread Bar Cookies with Eggnog Buttercreme Piped Icing from Within My Means
Three-Layer Mint Brownies Recipe from Jeanne at The Jolly Tomato
Peanut Butter Cookies from Rona at Does This Blog Make Me Look Fat
10-Minute Chocolate Almond Toffee from Patricia at Fresh Food In A Flash
Almond-Spice Christmas Wreath Cookies from Karen at Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Heavenly Tiramisu Blondies from Valentina at Cooking on the Weekends
Snow Cookies Even though Christina from Christina’s Cucina wasn’t able to attend this year I am sure she would have brought these award-winning cookies.
Savory choices:
Almond Cheddar Tea Biscuits {keto, low carb} from Erika at In Erika’s Kitchen
Savory Vegetarian Yule Log by Judy of My Well Seasoned Life
Want more recipes? Check out last year’s recipes here.
Yum
Christina | Christina's Cucina
So sad I had to miss this lovely cookie exchange! The cookie table looks fabulous and I love your cinnamon roll cookies! What a cute idea.
Thanks for including my Snow Cookies, they’re always a hit! 🙂
Cathy Arkle
We missed you and your cookies!
Christina | Christina's Cucina
Judy at My Well Seasoned Life.
These cookies are so good. I loved seeing you. It’s been awhile.
Cathy Arkle
Thanks Judy, always great seeing you as well and LOVED your savory yule log!
Cheri Newell
Wish I could dive into that table… feel my blood sugar rising!!! But it looks so worth it!!!
Cathy Arkle
It was a fabulous spread of cookies for sure.
Greg Henry (@sippitysup)
I imagine you could keep the dough is kept in the fridge or freezer until the cookie monster strikes. So that in true slice and bake style you’d have fresh from the oven homemade cookies in minutes. GREG
Cathy Arkle
Yes they are perfect for that!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Greg Henry is an enabler. 🙂
Jeanne @JollyTomato
These were adorable – and so tasty! They’re on my must-make list for our next cookie party!
ShePaused4Thought
Thanks Jeanne, glad you enjoyed them.
Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash
Beautiful and delicious as I would expect nothing less of you! Thank you for sharing.
ShePaused4Thought
You are so kind as always Patricia. Thank you.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
I LOVED THESE! I took home 5, and I was kind enough (patting myself on back) to share 1 with husband, 1 with son, and the rest for ME ME ME! Printing this recipe so I can make them myself…I think I had better send the plate in to husband’s work, or I will be in trouble here alone with those cookies.
ShePaused4Thought
Thanks Dorothy, so happy you loved them. They are quite fun.
Karen
These were delicious!! They are definitely on my “must make” list.
Cathy Arkle
Glad you enjoyed them Karen. They seem to be a crowd pleaser.