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Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Six cinnamon roll cookies on a wire baking rack

Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a playful recipe that gives you the swirl of a cinnamon roll in a cookie bite.  These darling cookies look like cinnamon rolls, taste like a crunchy version of cinnamon rolls, and use a lot of the same techniques as you would in making actual rolls (minus the yeasted dough obviously!).

It is the cinnamon swirl and the rolling of the cookie dough that may be tricky steps. As you’ll notice, I succeeded in the swirl category but my spacing between the cinnamon layer and the dough layer was not tight enough. As these baked, the cinnamon layer bubbled up and the dough spread slightly.

Other than my cookies not looking exactly like the original recipe’s photo, this difference was not really a problem. The cookies kept the overall shape and tasted really good. I may have liked the plain version even better than the final, iced version.

It’s possible that I have never said those words before– I like icing by the spoonful right out of a bowl!– but these flavorful, cinnamon cookies were just fine without the sweet icing on top. The icing does put a nice finishing touch on the overall cinnamon roll theme so, go ahead, you won’t be disappointed either way.

Want to make actual cinnamon rolls? Try this recipe for gluten free cinnamon rolls

Four photos showing steps to roll dough for pinwheel cinnamon cookies
Slice and bake the cinnamon cookies then add the icing for the final touch!

I followed the recipe from www.cookingchanneltv.com and did not change a thing. I’d love to hear if you try the same recipe and have good results. Next time I will roll the dough in a tighter spiral but even my lack of skill in that step didn’t take away from the enjoyment of these swirled, cinnamon treats.

Here is the list of ingredients. Please click through for the original published recipe instructions.

Yield: 32 cookies

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Cinnamon rolls cookies on wire cooling rack

Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a playful recipe that gives you the swirl of a cinnamon roll in a cookie bite.

Ingredients

COOKIE DOUGH:

  • 1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp grated orange zest
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

CINNAMON SMEAR:

  • 5 Tbsp plus 2 tsp (2/3 stick) unsalted butter, soft
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp light corn syrup
  • 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

 ICING:

  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 Tbsp light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp water

Instructions

  1. Please click through to the original recipe here on the Cooking Channel .

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

32

Serving Size:

1 cookie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 78mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g

This data is provided by Nutritionix and is an estimate only.

Did you make this recipe?

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Anne

Thursday 3rd of December 2015

These look tasty! I find it hard to get rolled cookies rolled up tight enough too, maybe it just takes practice.

Laura

Thursday 19th of November 2015

I have always wanted to try making these cookies--you did a great job. They are drool-worthy with that glaze!

Holly F

Saturday 21st of November 2015

Thanks, Laura! The glaze was sweet-- just like cinnamon rolls-- but it made it hard to stack the cookies for storage. Even parchment did not help much. I left the glaze off for the cookies I took to the teachers at school so it was easier to transport the cookies and also so that the teachers didn't all have sticky fingers afterwards!

Hofterzielbeek

Wednesday 18th of November 2015

The dough came out really well! Tastes really well! A hit with my family. Will make this again. Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe. :)

Holly F

Saturday 21st of November 2015

So very glad you enjoyed these!

Karen Harris

Wednesday 18th of November 2015

I made some of these a few years ago and they were the hit of the Christmas cookie tins I gave to my neighbors. I also love the orange cinnamon version of these too. They are a delight.

Holly F

Saturday 21st of November 2015

Good idea, Karen, maybe these will be made again to share with neighbors. I think they would pack well too so that I could send them to my grandmothers.

Bakingyummies

Tuesday 17th of November 2015

I have always had issues with slicing rolled out cookie dough but yours look perfect!

Holly F

Saturday 21st of November 2015

Yes, I have that trouble too-- I think freezing the dough really makes a big difference so that when you cut through the rolled dough it does not squish down too much.

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