Name: Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Sweet Glaze
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 42 min
Yield: 24 cookies

Swirled Cinnamon Sugar Cookies Drizzled with Sweet Glaze

Cinnamon roll cookies genuinely capture cinnamon roll magic in cookie form. Tender sugar cookie dough rolled thin spreads with melted butter then generously sprinkled with cinnamon sugar creating perfect sweet spiral when sliced. Each cookie reveals beautiful cinnamon swirl pattern reminiscent of morning cinnamon buns while maintaining perfect crisp-tender texture. Sweet vanilla glaze drizzled over cooled cookies provides signature cinnamon roll finish completing bite-sized bakery perfection perfect holiday cookie exchanges, afternoon tea, or Christmas cookie platters everyone raves about.

Why Cinnamon Roll Cookies Work Perfectly

Sugar cookie dough provides neutral tender base highlighting cinnamon sugar filling without overpowering. Melted butter creates moisture barrier preventing dough drying during rolling. Generous cinnamon sugar layer ensures visible swirls throughout each slice. Chilling prevents spreading maintaining beautiful spiral definition. Vanilla glaze provides sweet contrast balancing spice while adding visual appeal. Make-ahead dough freezing allows fresh cookies anytime craving strikes.

Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Prep Time: 30 Minutes Chill Time: 2 Hours Bake Time: 12 Minutes Makes: 24 Cookies

Tender sugar cookies with beautiful cinnamon swirls topped with sweet vanilla glaze.

Cookie Dough:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (320g)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

Cinnamon Filling:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (56g)
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (110g)
2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Sweet Vanilla Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
4-6 tsp milk (or heavy cream)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Make Cookie Dough:

Whisk flour, baking powder, salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
Beat butter and granulated sugar 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add egg, vanilla, almond extract. Beat until smooth.
Gradually add dry ingredients on low speed until just combined.
Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap plastic, chill 1 hour.

Prepare Cinnamon Filling:

Mix melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt until paste forms.
Spreadable consistency perfect for dough layer.
Set aside at room temperature until dough ready.

Roll & Fill Dough:

Preheat oven 350°F. Line baking sheets parchment.
On floured surface, roll one dough disc into 12×10″ rectangle (1/8″ thick).
Brush entire surface with 2 Tbsp melted butter (filling).
Spread half cinnamon sugar mixture evenly edge-to-edge.
Starting short end, tightly roll into log using parchment guide.

Slice & Chill:

Wrap log plastic wrap, freeze 30-60 minutes until firm.
Repeat with second dough disc.
Unwrap firm logs, slice into 1/2″ thick rounds.
Place 2″ apart on baking sheets.

Bake to Golden Perfection:

Bake 10-12 minutes until edges light golden.
Centers appear soft (set during cooling).
Cool baking sheets 5 minutes, transfer wire racks.
Cool completely before glazing.

Make & Apply Glaze:

Whisk powdered sugar, 4 tsp milk, vanilla, salt.
Add milk 1 tsp at time until drizzle consistency.
Drizzle over cooled cookies or dip half cookies.
Let set 15 minutes until glaze hardens.

Holiday Tip: Freeze sliced dough logs up to 3 months. For authentic technique, Sugar Spun Run perfects swirls [web:304].

Mastering Perfect Swirls

Dough Rolling Technique

1/8-inch thickness essential visible swirls. Flour surface/counter prevents sticking. Parchment paper underneath aids rolling assistance. Measure 12×10″ rectangle maintains uniform slices. Room temperature butter rolling prevents cracking.

Cinnamon Filling Spread

Melted butter first creates moisture barrier/adhesion. Generous cinnamon sugar layer (1/4″+ thick) ensures flavor each bite. Edge-to-edge spreading prevents bare dough spots. Brown sugar moisture prevents drying during baking [web:304].

Tight Jelly Roll Method

Start short end maximizes swirls per cookie. Parchment guide underneath tightens roll naturally. Pinch seam gently seals log. Plastic wrap post-roll compresses evenly. Freezing firms definition perfect slicing.

Perfect Cookie Texture

Chilling Prevents Spreading

1 hour dough disc chill develops flavor/structure. 30-60 minute log freeze firms butter preventing oven spread. Room temperature ingredients initial mixing essential even texture. Balance cold/hot yields tender centers crisp edges.

Baking Time Critical

10-12 minutes produces light golden edges soft centers. Overbaking dries swirls. Underbaking prevents setting. Middle oven rack rotation halfway ensures even browning. Visual cues trump time always.

Cooling Sets Structure

5 minutes pan cooling firms bottoms prevents breakage. Wire rack cooling prevents soggy bottoms. Glaze application post-complete cooling prevents melting into cookies. Proper cooling perfects final texture [web:303].

Expert Baking Tips

Dough temperature perfect:

Room temperature butter creams light/fluffy. Cold dough cracks during rolling. 1 hour chill maximum prevents over-firming. Balance yields perfect texture [web:304].

Glaze consistency ideal:

Ribbon test: lifts whisk holds shape 3 seconds before dissolving. Too thick cracks, too thin puddles. Milk teaspoon increments perfect control. Heavy cream richer alternative.

Slice uniformity:

Slightly frozen logs yield cleanest cuts. Sharp serrated knife prevents squishing. 1/2-inch thickness perfect balance size/swirls. Wipe blade between cuts prevents dragging.

Oven positioning:

Middle rack even heat circulation. Parchment prevents sticking/browning issues. Silpat mats alternative. 2-inch spacing allows spreading without touching.

Storage perfection:

Airtight containers room temperature 5 days. Freezer 3 months parchment separated. Glaze protects during freezing. Thaw room temperature maintains texture [web:306].

Delicious Variations

Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bites

1/4-inch slices create 2-bite cookies. Perfect party trays. Triple glaze dipping. Holiday favor boxes.

Chocolate Cinnamon Roll Cookies

2 Tbsp cocoa powder dough. Chocolate glaze drizzle. Mexican chocolate tablets filling. Decadent upgrade.

Cream Cheese Glazed

Cream cheese icing replaces vanilla glaze. Tangy contrast. Pipe rosettes. Bakery style presentation.

Pumpkin Spice Roll Cookies

Pumpkin pie spice replaces cinnamon. 2 Tbsp pumpkin puree dough. Fall flavors perfected.

Salted Caramel Glaze

Caramel sauce + powdered sugar. Flaky sea salt sprinkle. Adult indulgence [web:305].

Make-Ahead & Freezer Guide

Dough Log Freezing

Sliced frozen logs bake straight from freezer (+2 min time). Triple wrap prevents freezer burn. 3 months maximum storage. Label date essential.

Baked Cookie Freezing

Glaze-free cookies freeze best. Parchment separated airtight bags. Thaw room temperature glaze post-thaw. Texture maintained perfectly.

Holiday Production

Triple recipe fills 3 logs. Slice/bake as needed. Staggered production freshness maintained. Cookie exchange champion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dough too sticky solution?

1 Tbsp flour increments. Chill 30 additional minutes. Generously flour surface/rolling pin. Cornstarch alternative prevents toughening [web:304].

Swirls not visible enough?

Increase filling layer thickness. Roll tighter log. Thinner dough slices. More cinnamon sugar next batch. Filling generous essential.

Cookies spreading too much?

Chill logs longer (90 minutes). Oven temperature accurate. Butter cold before creaming. Dough hydration perfect balance [web:303].

Gluten-free substitution?

1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Xanthan gum if needed. Same technique. Cup4Cup recommended brand. Perfect results.

Vegan version possible?

Aquafaba replaces egg. Vegan butter. Plant milk glaze. Coconut oil filling. Flavor maintained [web:306].