Craving the warm, comforting taste of cinnamon rolls but short on time? These easy-to-make Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing deliver all that cozy, classic flavor in a convenient cookie form.
Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday cookies, they’re a delightful, sweet treat that quickly becomes a family favorite. You’ll love how simple these baked goods are to whip up with pantry staples!
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
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Quick & Easy: Enjoy the classic flavors of cinnamon rolls in a fraction of the time with these simple cookies.
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Crowd-Pleaser: These cozy dessert cookies are sure to be a hit with family and friends, perfect for any occasion.
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Pantry Staples: Made with ingredients you likely already have on hand, making them convenient to bake anytime.
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Versatile Treat: Great for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, these cookies fit any moment.
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Beautiful Presentation: The swirled cinnamon and creamy icing make these cookies as pretty as they are delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Primary components: You’ll start with softened butter, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla for the cookie dough base, along with all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cinnamon Filling: A blend of packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter creates that signature cinnamon roll swirl.
Cream Cheese Icing: Softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk (or heavy cream), and vanilla extract combine for the perfect tangy topping.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Exact quantities appear in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
Making these delightful Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing is a straightforward process involving preparing a simple cookie dough, creating a spiced filling, rolling, slicing, baking, and finally, icing them to perfection.
For more detailed insights on cookie baking, check out Serious Eats’ cookie guides!
Step 1: Prepare Your Dough Base
Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 2: Create the Spiced Cinnamon Filling
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Separately, melt the butter for brushing.
Step 3: Roll Out and Fill the Cookie Dough
Divide dough in half. Roll one half into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar.
Step 4: Slice and Bake Your Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Roll the dough tightly into a log, then slice into 1/2-inch thick cookies. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.
Step 5: Whip Up the Tangy Cream Cheese Icing
Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, beating until creamy.
Step 6: Ice and Serve Your Delicious Cookies
Once cookies are completely cool, spread or drizzle the cream cheese icing over each one. Enjoy your homemade treat!
Pro Tips for Making Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cookies
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Don’t Overmix: Mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined to keep cookies tender.
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Chill the Dough: If dough is sticky, chill for 15-20 minutes for easier rolling and slicing.
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Even Slices: Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for clean, even cookie slices.
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Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies when edges are lightly golden; they will continue to set as they cool.
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Cool Completely: Wait until cookies are fully cool before icing to prevent melting.
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Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon filling for an extra layer of warmth.
Final Thoughts about the Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
These Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing truly are a little slice of comfort, perfect for sharing with those you love.
Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a cozy evening at home, their warm, familiar flavors are sure to bring smiles.
For another dessert with creamy frosting and bakery-style flavor, visit the blog and try the classic vanilla birthday cake. Its smooth vanilla icing and soft crumb make a perfect complement to these cinnamon-inspired cookies.
FAQs Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough and roll it into logs, then wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days before slicing and baking.
How do I store Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week due to the cream cheese icing.
Can I freeze these cinnamon roll cookies?
You can freeze the unbaked dough logs for up to 3 months. Thaw slightly, then slice and bake. Baked, un-iced cookies can also be frozen for up to 1 month.
What if my icing is too thick or too thin?
If too thick, add milk a tiny bit at a time. If too thin, add powdered sugar gradually until desired consistency is reached for your cream cheese icing.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing a perfect cozy family favorite
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing are a delightful twist on a classic, offering all the cozy flavors of a cinnamon roll in a convenient cookie form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
- For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk (or heavy cream)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough into a rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Brush the melted butter evenly over the rolled-out dough. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough.
- Starting from one long side, carefully roll up the dough tightly into a log.
- Slice the log into 1/2-inch thick cookies. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Icing: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or drizzle the cream cheese icing over each cookie.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon filling.
- If the dough is too sticky to roll, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- These cookies are also delicious without the icing, if you prefer a less sweet treat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 35
