On a chilly afternoon in late November, I found myself wandering through a small mountain town in North Carolina. One of those places where the pace is slower, and no one seems to care much about phone signals or perfect plans.
The air carried a smoky scent from fireplaces, and shop windows were decked with handmade wreaths and jars of local jam. I ducked into a tiny café off the main road, mostly because the lights looked warm and inviting.
Inside, a couple of older women were having tea by the window. A little girl was spinning on the hardwood floor while her mom quietly flipped through a magazine. Nothing loud, nothing trying too hard. Just people enjoying the kind of peace that comes when you leave your usual routine behind.
That quiet hour made me think about comfort—not just the big-picture kind, but the little things that ground you. The smell of cinnamon, the sight of a soft cookie on a plate, the feeling of being far from home and not missing it for a moment. Those are the kind of details that linger.
Back in my own kitchen, I wanted to bake something that felt like that café: calm, simple, warm around the edges. And that’s how these cinnamon roll sugar cookies ended up on the cooling rack.
Short Description
These Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are soft and buttery with a warm cinnamon filling and finished with a creamy swirl of cream cheese frosting. A mashup of two beloved desserts in one irresistible treat.
Key Ingredients
For the sugar cookie base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
For the cinnamon swirl filling:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp heavy cream or milk (adjust for texture)
Tools Needed
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Parchment-lined baking sheet
- Cooling rack
- Piping bag with a round or star tip
- Measuring cups and spoons
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until fully combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes for easier handling.
Step 2: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
Scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough and form into balls. Press a thumbprint into the center, add ½ teaspoon of filling, pinch the dough to seal, then flatten slightly into thick discs.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Arrange cookies on the baking sheet, spaced a few inches apart. Bake for 12–14 minutes until edges are golden and centers are soft. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fluffy. Mix in cream or milk, 1 tsp at a time, until it’s smooth and spreadable.
Step 5: Decorate the Cookies
Fill a piping bag with frosting and swirl over cooled cookies to mimic cinnamon rolls. For an extra touch, dust lightly with cinnamon or sprinkle with brown sugar.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
– Combines two dessert favorites in one bite
– Simple ingredients, easy process
– Sweet, creamy frosting with warm spice
– Perfect for holiday trays or weekend treats
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overmixing the dough: This can make cookies tough. Mix just until combined.
Skipping dough chilling: Warm dough is harder to shape and might spread too much.
Underfilling or overfilling: Too little filling can be bland, too much might ooze out. Stick to about ½ teaspoon per cookie.
Frosting too soon: Warm cookies will melt the frosting. Always cool completely.
Incorrect frosting texture: If it’s too thick, add milk 1 tsp at a time. Too thin? Add more powdered sugar.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
– Serve with hot coffee, chai, or spiced apple cider
– Plate them on a tray for brunch or dessert spreads
– Great on holiday cookie platters
– Try warming slightly for a gooey, fresh-baked vibe
Storage and Reheating Tips
– Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days
– For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days
– Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months
– Reheat in the microwave for 8–10 seconds to soften slightly
– If frozen, thaw at room temperature before frosting
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the dough and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes before shaping.
2. Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes, unfrosted cookies freeze well. Frost after thawing for best texture.
3. What if I don’t have a piping bag?
Use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to swirl the frosting.
4. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Check texture and add 1 tbsp milk if the dough is too crumbly.
5. How can I make them less sweet?
Use less frosting or reduce the sugar in the dough by ¼ cup.
Tips & Tricks
– Use room-temperature butter and cream cheese for a smoother mix
– Add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling for extra warmth
– Slightly underbake for softer centers
– Chill filled dough balls for 10 minutes before baking for less spread
– Dust the finished cookies with cinnamon sugar for bakery-style flair
Recipe Variations
1. Maple Cinnamon Cookies
Swap vanilla extract in the frosting with 1 tsp maple extract. Adds a warm, earthy twist.
2. Pumpkin Spice Version
Replace cinnamon in the filling with pumpkin pie spice. A cozy autumn spin.
3. Chocolate Swirl Filling
Mix 1 tbsp cocoa powder into the filling for a hint of chocolate.
4. Vegan Option
Use vegan butter, plant-based milk, and a vegan cream cheese alternative.
5. Lemon Cream Frosting
Add 1 tsp lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice to the frosting for a tangy twist that cuts through the sweetness.
Final Thoughts
These cinnamon roll sugar cookies have a way of surprising people. They look simple, almost humble—but one bite in, and you get soft cookie texture, a hit of cinnamon warmth, and a cloud of frosting that finishes everything off just right.
They’re the kind of treat that brings comfort and cheer without needing a special occasion. Just the right thing for slow mornings or sweet endings to long days. And while they look like they came from a bakery display, you’ll know they were shaped, swirled, and frosted by hand—with care and creativity.
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the sugar cookie base:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
For the cinnamon swirl filling:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp heavy cream or milk adjust for texture
Instructions
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt, then gradually add to the wet mixture. Mix until combined. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Scoop 3 tablespoons of dough, form into a ball, press a thumbprint, and add ½ teaspoon of filling. Seal dough and flatten into thick discs.
- Place cookies on the sheet, spacing them apart. Bake for 12–14 minutes until edges are golden and centers are soft. Cool on a wire rack.
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fluffy. Gradually add cream or milk, one teaspoon at a time, until smooth.
- Pipe frosting over cooled cookies in a swirl pattern. Sprinkle with cinnamon or brown sugar for an extra touch.
