Christmas Cinnamon Roll Cookies

If you’re a fan of cinnamon rolls and cookies, these Cinnamon Roll Cookies are the perfect hybrid treat, blending the rich, aromatic taste of cinnamon buns with the soft, chewy texture of cookies. With a buttery dough rolled with cinnamon-sugar filling, these cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly fun to make and share!

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Cinnamon Roll Cookies:

For the Dough:

• Unsalted Butter: Brings a rich, buttery flavor to the dough, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Keeps the cookies soft and adds a chewy texture.
• Egg yolk: Acts as a binding agent and adds moisture, helping the cookies stay soft.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness and complements the cinnamon.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and stability to the cookies, balancing the wet ingredients.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a subtle tanginess, creating a soft, slightly chewy texture that holds up beautifully in these spiral cookies.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing the flavor profile and balancing the sweetness.

For the Filling:

• Cinnamon powder: This gives the cookies their warm, spiced flavor that’s characteristic of classic cinnamon rolls.
• Sugar: Blended with the cinnamon to create a sweet, caramelized layer within the cookies.
• Melted butter: Helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick to the dough and adds an extra layer of richness.

For the Topping:

• White Chocolate: Adds additional sweetness and flavor to the cookies.

You’ll need the following tools for making the Cinnamon Roll Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for combining the cookie dough ingredients and smaller ones for measuring.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugars, and mixing the dough.
• Spatula: To fold in the dry ingredients and combine the mixtures.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet, preventing the cookies from sticking.
• Cookie Scoop: To evenly portion out the dough.
• Cooling Rack: For allowing the cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Piping Bag: To drizzle the chocolate on top of the cookies.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 200 g (1⅔ cups) wheat flour (type 405)
• 100 g (½ cup) sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 egg yolk (size M)
• 60 g (¼ cup) soft butter
• 60 g (¼ cup) cream cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Filling:

• 3 tsp cinnamon powder
• 50 g (¼ cup) sugar
• 15 g (1 tbsp) melted butter

For the Topping:

• Optional: white chocolate (as much as you like)

Directions:

Prepare the Dough

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the wheat flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. These ingredients form the base of your cookie dough.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolk, soft butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract to the flour mixture. The cream cheese and butter work together to create a soft, rich dough.
3. Knead the Dough: Using your hands, knead the dough just until everything is well combined and forms a smooth, soft texture. Avoid over-kneading to prevent the dough from becoming tough.

Roll Out the Dough

1. Shape and Flatten: Place the dough between two sheets of cling film, which prevents it from sticking to the rolling pin and makes handling easier.
2. Roll into a Rectangle: Roll out the dough into a 20 x 30 cm (about 8 x 12 inches) rectangle. Aim for an even thickness to ensure consistent baking.

Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Filling

1. Combine Cinnamon and Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon powder and sugar until well blended.
2. Spread Butter and Sprinkle: Spread the melted butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously on top. The butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the dough and provides a caramelized effect when baked.
3. Seal the Edge: Brush a bit of butter along one long edge of the dough. This will help seal the roll and keep it from unraveling during baking.

Roll and Chill the Dough

1. Roll Tightly: Starting from the opposite long side, carefully roll the dough into a log. A tight roll helps create the classic spiral effect of cinnamon rolls.
2. Wrap and Chill: Wrap the dough log in cling film and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Chilling is crucial for maintaining the shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Slice and Bake

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C (320°F) for fan ovens. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Slice the Cookies: Remove the cling film and slice the dough log into 0.5 cm (about ¼ inch) thick slices. Each slice will have a visible cinnamon spiral.
3. Bake: Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet and bake for approximately 12 minutes. The cookies are ready when they’re slightly golden at the edges but still soft in the center.
4. Cool on a Rack: Transfer the baked cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely.

Tips & Tricks:

Tips for the Cookies:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature butter and cream cheese to achieve a smooth, pliable dough.
• Don’t Skip the Chilling: Chilling the rolled dough log is essential for well-defined spirals and prevents excessive spreading in the oven.
• Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cookie, reduce the sugar in the filling by half for a milder cinnamon flavor.
• Get Creative with Toppings: Consider drizzling a light icing or a simple powdered sugar glaze over the cookies for an extra layer of sweetness. You could also sprinkle a little coarse sugar before baking for added crunch.

General Tips:

• Storage: Cinnamon Roll Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to several weeks. The flavors continue to develop, and the texture stays pleasantly soft. You can also freeze the dough log before slicing to have fresh cookies on demand – simply thaw, slice, and bake whenever the craving strikes!
• Baking Sheets: Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking and to promote even baking. If you don’t have either, make sure to lightly grease the baking sheets.
• Cooling: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking apart.
• Serving: Serve these cookies slightly warm or at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, making them perfect for a cozy afternoon snack or dessert.

These Cinnamon Roll Cookies combine the best elements of two favorite treats, making them a delightful option for any time you want something sweet, soft, and cinnamon-infused. They’re simple enough for beginner bakers and impressive enough for seasoned bakers looking to expand their cookie repertoire. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or save them for a snack later, these cookies are sure to become a household favorite!

More Baking Ideas:

• Grinch Crinkle Cookies – These bright green cookies are fun, festive, and finished with a sweet sugar heart, making them the perfect treat to spread Christmas cheer.
• Santa Hat Cookies – Adorable and delicious, these Linzer-style cookies are filled with fruity jam and topped with icing for the perfect Santa hat look.
• Melted Snowman Cookies – Fun and whimsical, these sugar cookies feature melted marshmallows and chocolate decorations for a snowman that’s sure to melt your heart.
• Roasted Matcha Cookies – Add a sophisticated touch to your holiday spread with these earthy roasted matcha cookies, topped with a creamy layer and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) – A German Christmas classic, these star-shaped cookies are made with almonds, hazelnuts, and a sweet glaze, delivering a taste of tradition with every bite.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: