Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your New Favorite Dessert

Why This Cinnamon Roll Cookie Recipe is a Must-Try

This recipe isn’t just another cookie; it’s an experience. The genius lies in perfectly capturing the essence of homemade cinnamon rolls within a delightful cookie format. Here’s why this recipe truly shines:

• Perfect Texture: We achieve that sought-after combination of a tender, soft, and chewy interior with just the right amount of crispness on the edges. This textural contrast keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Balanced Flavors: The cookie base is rich with warm cinnamon and a hint of vanilla, perfectly spiced to evoke the classic cinnamon roll. The homemade cream cheese frosting adds a necessary tangy counterpoint, preventing the cookies from being overly sweet and enhancing their overall depth of flavor.
• Easy to Make: Despite their impressive appearance and complex taste, these cookies are surprisingly simple to prepare. Our step-by-step instructions ensure success, even for novice bakers.
• Crowd-Pleaser: From holiday gatherings to casual get-togethers, these cinnamon roll cookies are always a hit. They offer a unique twist on two beloved desserts, making them an instant favorite for all ages.
• Versatile & Adaptable: While perfect as they are, the base recipe is also adaptable, allowing for personal touches and variations, which we’ll explore later in this guide.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Crafting these delectable cookies begins with a selection of high-quality ingredients. While the full list with exact measurements is available in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, let’s dive into some key components and why they matter:

FLOUR: Our recipe typically calls for all-purpose flour, which provides a good balance for soft yet sturdy cookies. However, if you have bread flour in your pantry, you can use it for an even chewier texture, thanks to its higher protein content. Just be mindful not to overmix, regardless of the flour type, to keep your cookies tender.

SUGAR: Like many classic cookie recipes, we utilize a combination of sugars for optimal flavor and texture. Granulated white sugar contributes to the crisp edges and overall sweetness, while light brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle molasses flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully.

SPICES & LEAVENING: Ground cinnamon is, of course, the star! Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for the best aroma and flavor. Baking powder gives these cookies their lovely lift and soft texture, creating that tender, almost cake-like crumb you’d expect from a cinnamon roll.

FAT & MOISTURE: Unsalted butter (softened) provides richness and helps with the texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content in your recipe. A large egg at room temperature binds the ingredients and adds moisture, contributing to the cookie’s chewiness and structure.

FROSTING: The homemade cream cheese frosting is non-negotiable for an authentic cinnamon roll experience. It’s a simple blend of unsalted butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract. The secret to a perfectly smooth, lump-free frosting is ensuring both your butter and cream cheese are at **room temperature**. This allows them to cream together effortlessly, creating that dreamy, spreadable consistency.

Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract for both the cookies and the frosting to elevate the flavor profile. It adds a subtle warmth and depth that truly makes a difference.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies

These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to guide you through the process of making these delightful cookies. For a printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and full instructions, please Jump to Recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. In a medium bowl, combine your dry ingredients: whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisking ensures that the leavening agent and spices are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of unmixed ingredients. Set this aside.
2. In a separate, large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Beat them with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step incorporates air, which is crucial for a tender cookie. Then, beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as overworking the gluten in the flour can lead to tough cookies. Mix until no streaks of dry flour remain.
4. Cover the cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is an important step as it helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in a thicker, chewier cookie. It also allows the flavors to meld together.
5. While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
6. Once the dough is chilled, scoop it out and roll it into uniform balls. For consistent size, use a cookie scoop. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your hand before placing it on the prepared baking sheet. Arrange the flattened dough balls at least 2 inches apart to allow for proper spreading.
   

   
   

7. Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the bottom edges are just slightly golden brown. The centers should still look soft and perhaps a little underbaked; they will set as they cool. Do not overbake! Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling completely is essential before frosting.
8. For the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter until the mixture is creamy and perfectly smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth. Finally, mix in the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, you can add a tiny splash of milk or cream (half a teaspoon at a time) to reach your desired consistency.
9. Once the cookies are completely cool, transfer the cream cheese frosting to a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip (a round tip or star tip works well) or simply use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the frosting onto each cooled cookie in a spiral shape, mimicking a classic cinnamon roll. Finish by sprinkling a little extra ground cinnamon on top for an added touch of flavor and visual appeal.
   

   
   

Expert Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll Cookies

• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For both the cookie dough and especially the frosting, ensure your butter, cream cheese, and egg are at room temperature. This allows for even mixing, preventing lumps in the frosting and ensuring a smooth, uniform cookie dough.
• Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft, chewy ones.
• Chill the Dough: This step is non-negotiable! Chilling the dough helps solidify the fats, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also allows the flavors to deepen, resulting in a more flavorful cookie.
• Proper Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your cookies. They are done when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking will result in dry, hard cookies.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience is a virtue here! Applying frosting to warm cookies will cause it to melt and slide right off, creating a mess. Ensure your cookies are entirely cool before adding that luscious cream cheese frosting.

Serving Suggestions & Delightful Variations

These cinnamon roll cookies are fantastic on their own, but here are some ideas to make them even more special:

• Coffee Companion: Serve them with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or milk for the ultimate breakfast or afternoon treat.
• Dessert Platter: Include them on a dessert platter alongside other holiday favorites or everyday sweets.
• Ice Cream Topper: Crumble a cooled cookie over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a unique and indulgent dessert.
• Add a Nutty Crunch: Before baking, sprinkle a few finely chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the cookie dough for added texture and flavor.
• Orange Zest Twist: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to either the cookie dough or the cream cheese frosting for a bright, citrusy note that pairs wonderfully with cinnamon.
• Espresso Infusion: A tiny hint of espresso powder in the cookie dough can deepen the chocolate flavor and complement the cinnamon beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Roll Cookies

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Though these soft and chewy cinnamon roll cookies with their signature cream cheese frosting are a phenomenal hit on the Thanksgiving table or at festive Christmas cookie exchanges, their comforting flavors and delightful texture make them an absolutely delicious treat year-round! Don’t wait for a special occasion to bake a batch of these extraordinary cookies.

Explore More Delicious Cookie Recipes

• Hearty Oatmeal Cookies
• Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Cookies
• Classic Snickerdoodles
• Sweet Banana Cookies
• Fun Confetti Cake Mix Cookies
• Grandma’s Perfect Sugar Cookies
• Indulgent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
• Decadent S’mores Cookies
• Easy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

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