Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies combine the warm, spiced flavor of classic cinnamon rolls with the crisp, buttery goodness of sugar cookies. These cookies feature a layered cinnamon sugar filling folded into tender sugar cookie dough, which bakes into swirls of cinnamon sweetness throughout.
You’ll love these cookies because the cinnamon-sugar filling is embedded in the dough in chunks, creating pockets of flavor and sweetness with every bite. The soft cookie dough, enriched with vanilla and a balance of baking powder and cornstarch, produces a tender texture. Chilling the dough and a quick freeze before baking prevent spreading, resulting in thick, beautifully shaped cookies that soften slightly as they cool.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened but cool to the touch
- 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
- 1¾ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Make the cinnamon filling by mixing the butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Freeze for 10 minutes while preparing dough.
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Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add vanilla, egg, and egg yolk; mix until combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet, beating until combined.
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Remove half the dough and spread the remaining dough flat in the mixing bowl.
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Use two spoons to scatter half the cinnamon filling in small chunks evenly over the flattened dough.
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Spread or press the reserved dough over the cinnamon filling.
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Add the remaining cinnamon filling chunks evenly on top.
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Fold the dough briefly two folds and one to two stirs with a spatula to swirl the filling while leaving some chunks intact.
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Scoop 2-tablespoon portions of dough ensuring an even mix of dough and cinnamon filling; freeze for 10 minutes to firm.
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Place dough balls on baking sheets a couple inches apart. For thicker cookies, bake as is; for thinner, gently pat down before baking.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly browned and centers are slightly underdone.
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Some cookies may spread unevenly; use shaping techniques right after baking to fix.
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Cool on baking sheets for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
My Best Tips for Success
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Freeze cinnamon filling chunks to prevent melting into dough before baking.
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Fold gently to maintain swirls and chunks for texture variety.
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Chill dough or freeze dough balls to control spreading.
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Use a cookie scoop for consistent portions.
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Shape cookies as soon as they come out if misshapen.
Delicious Variations to Try
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Add chopped pecans or walnuts for nutty crunch.
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Increase cinnamon for more warmth.
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Drizzle with glaze or cream cheese frosting.
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Use brown butter for deeper flavor in dough.
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Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for nuanced spice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix misshapen cookies?
Gently press or shape cookies while warm to the desired shape.
Can I prepare filling ahead?
Freeze filling chunks in advance to easily fold into dough.
How to store baked cookies?
Store in airtight containers at room temperature up to 1 week.
Can I make dough ahead?
Yes, dough keeps in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Do these cookies stay soft?
They remain soft with crisp edges, especially if not overbaked.
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery sugar cookies with swirls of cinnamon sugar filling, caramelized and sweet. Thick cookies with chewy centers and crisp edges, perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar Filling
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
1½ tbsp all-purpose flour
2½ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Cookie Dough
1 cup unsalted butter, softened but cool
1⅓ cups granulated sugar
1¾ tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp baking powder
1 tsp cornstarch
¼ tsp salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Make filling: Combine butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until smooth. Freeze 10 minutes while preparing dough.
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Cream dough base: Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, egg, and egg yolk; mix until blended.
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Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture until combined.
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Layer and swirl: Flatten half the dough in the mixing bowl. Scatter half the frozen cinnamon filling in small chunks over the dough. Press remaining dough on top, then scatter remaining filling. Gently fold twice with a spatula to create swirls while keeping chunks visible.
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Chill dough: Scoop 2‑tablespoon portions of dough, ensuring both dough and filling are evenly included. Freeze 10 minutes to firm.
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Bake: Arrange dough balls on prepared sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. For thicker cookies, bake as is; for thinner cookies, gently press tops before baking. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are slightly soft.
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Cool: Let cookies cool 10–15 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack.
Notes
Keep cinnamon filling partially frozen for swirl integrity.
Fold gently to retain visible cinnamon chunks.
Chill dough before baking to control spread.
Use scoop for uniform cookies and baking.
Shape immediately after baking if edges are uneven.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (1/20 recipe)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: cinnamon roll sugar cookies, swirled cinnamon cookies, brown sugar cinnamon cookies, soft bakery cookies, holiday sugar cookies
