Soft Baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

If you adore the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls but want something quicker and perfectly portable, this Soft Baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies capture the irresistible swirls of cinnamon sugar and the soft, tender bite of a freshly baked roll, all in a perfectly sized cookie that melts in your mouth. The gentle sweetness, the buttery dough, and that luscious vanilla glaze come together to create a treat that feels like a little celebration in every bite. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be a staple whenever you crave that cozy cinnamon goodness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Soft Baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe lies in its simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that combine to deliver richness, softness, and that signature cinnamon flavor. Each component plays a vital role, from the flour giving structure to the brown sugar adding depth and moisture.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, providing the perfect balance of structure and softness.
• Cornstarch: A secret to enhancing the cookies’ tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and keeps them soft.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and flavor while contributing to a delightful crumb.
• Light brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle, caramel-like sweetness.
• Egg: Binds the dough and adds a touch of lift.
• Vanilla extract: Provides warm, fragrant notes that enrich the dough overall.
• Ground cinnamon: The star spice in your cinnamon swirl, bringing warmth and spice.
• Melted butter (for filling): Ensures that cinnamon sugar filling is luscious and sticks perfectly.
• Granulated sugar (for filling): Adds crunch and sweetness inside the swirls.
• Powdered sugar (for glaze): Creates a smooth, sweet topping that finishes the cookies beautifully.
• Milk (for glaze): Thins out the glaze, giving it that perfect drizzle consistency.

How to Make Soft Baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple prep step ensures the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making clean-up a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. This is your dry foundation, perfectly blended so the dough comes together beautifully with no clumps or uneven rising.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and packed light brown sugar on medium speed until creamy and smooth. This step is key for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. These ingredients add moisture and flavor that tie the dough together seamlessly.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be thick and ready to roll out, so avoid over-mixing to keep things nice and tender.

Step 6: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

In a small bowl, mix melted butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined. This filling is the heart of the cinnamon roll experience — warm, sweet, and perfectly spiced.

Step 7: Roll Out the Dough

Lightly flour your surface and roll the cookie dough into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. This layer will hold the filling and allow you to create those signature swirls.

Step 8: Spread the Filling

Evenly spread the cinnamon filling over the rolled-out dough, making sure every corner gets a sweet coating for maximum flavor in each bite.

Step 9: Roll into a Log

Carefully roll up the dough tightly from one of the long edges to form a log, just like a classic cinnamon roll. Tight rolling creates those beautiful swirls that are the star of these cookies.

Step 10: Slice and Arrange

Using a sharp knife, cut the dough log into 1-inch slices and place them spaced evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Leaving a bit of room helps them bake without sticking together.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are just turning golden at the edges. Keeping an eye ensures they remain soft and don’t become crispy like traditional cookies.

Step 12: Cool Slightly

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on it for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set up without losing their delicate softness.

Step 13: Glaze and Enjoy

Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, then drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies. This finishing touch adds sweet creaminess that brings everything together beautifully.

How to Serve Soft Baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

A light dusting of extra powdered sugar or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon can give your Soft Baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe an extra special look and flavor pop. You can even add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for texture.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a steaming mug of coffee, chai tea, or a cold glass of milk. A side of fresh fruit or yogurt complements the sweetness and keeps things balanced for a lovely snack or dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your cookies stacked on a pretty plate with the glaze dripping down the sides for a charming, bakery-style presentation. You could also arrange them in a festive tin lined with wax paper as a delightful gift or party favor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This maintains their softness and prevents them from drying out, so they’re just as enjoyable later as fresh.

Freezing

You can freeze baked and cooled cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. For best results, place parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.

Reheating

To bring back that soft, fresh-baked feel, warm cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven for a few minutes. This revives the tender texture and makes the glaze slightly melty and delightful again.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best to achieve the right balance of softness and structure, but you can experiment with pastry flour for even more tenderness. Whole wheat flour isn’t recommended as it can make the cookies denser.

Is there a way to make these cookies dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. For the glaze, use a plant milk such as almond or oat milk, and the cookies will still turn out wonderfully soft and flavorful.

How do I avoid the cookies spreading too much while baking?

Make sure your dough is well chilled before rolling out. Also, cutting the log into firm slices and placing them with enough space on the baking sheet helps maintain their shape during baking.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and even roll it into the log with filling, then wrap it tightly and refrigerate overnight. When ready, just slice and bake for fresh, soft cookies.

What if I don’t have cornstarch? Can I skip it?

The cornstarch helps create that extra soft, tender crumb. If you don’t have it, you can try substituting with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or tapioca starch, but skipping it altogether may slightly affect texture.

Final Thoughts

This Soft Baked Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe is truly a delightful way to enjoy the flavor and comfort of cinnamon rolls in an easy, quick-to-make cookie form. Whether you bake them for a cozy afternoon treat, a fun family project, or sharing with friends, these cookies always bring smiles. I encourage you to try this recipe soon—you deserve the warmth and sweetness that come with every bite!

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