Description
These Thick & Chewy Cinnamon Roll Cookies are soft and buttery with a rich cinnamon swirl and creamy cream cheese frosting. They bring all the cozy flavor of a cinnamon roll to an easy, bakery-style cookie.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup (65g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until a soft dough forms.
- In a small bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon into a thick paste.
- Divide the dough into 12 large balls and flatten each ball slightly.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon paste onto each cookie dough ball.
- Gently swirl and fold the dough over itself to create a marbled cinnamon roll look.
- Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until creamy.
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream as needed to reach a smooth frosting consistency.
- Spread or drizzle the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cookies before serving.
Notes
Do not overbake the cookies. Remove them when the edges are set but the centers are still soft to keep them thick and chewy. Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large cookie
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg