Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are a delightful fusion of classic cinnamon rolls and tender sugar cookies. These cookies feature a soft, buttery dough swirled with a rich cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a luscious cream cheese icing. Perfect for dessert tables, holiday treats, or a sweet indulgence any time of the year.​

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 ounces cream cheese (1/4 of a standard package)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• PAM Baking Spray​

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup packed golden brown sugar

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

For the Icing:

• 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 of a standard package), at room temperature

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.​

2. Roll and Chill: Lightly spray your countertop and rolling pin with PAM Baking Spray. Roll out the dough into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet sprayed with PAM and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

3. Add Filling and Shape: After chilling, evenly spread the softened butter over the dough. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough. Starting from the short side, tightly roll the dough into a spiral log. Pinch the seam to seal and place the roll in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to firm up.​

4. Slice and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two baking sheets with PAM Baking Spray. Remove the dough from the freezer and slice into 1/4-inch rounds. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are slightly golden. The cookies will appear soft and underbaked but will firm up as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.​

5. Prepare the Icing: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread or drizzle the icing over each cookie. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.​

Nutrients

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on ingredient brands and serving sizes.​

• Calories: Approximately 240 kcal per cookie

• Carbohydrates: 31g

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 12g

• Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 48mg

• Sodium: 36mg

• Sugar: 17g

• Fiber: 1g​

The Inspiration Behind the Recipe

The idea of combining cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies may sound unconventional at first, but it’s a match made in dessert heaven. Cinnamon rolls have long been a favorite in American households, especially for breakfast or brunch. Meanwhile, sugar cookies are a staple for every occasion—from birthdays and bake sales to holiday cookie swaps. Bringing them together allows bakers to enjoy the familiar flavors of a cinnamon roll in a more portable, snackable format that doesn’t require yeast, rise time, or a fork and knife to eat.

This recipe is particularly inspired by the growing popularity of hybrid desserts—like cruffins, cronut-style pastries, and brookies—that take two iconic treats and fuse them into one. In this case, it’s about creating the soft chewiness of a sugar cookie while preserving the cinnamon swirl and cream cheese icing that make cinnamon rolls so addictive.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

One of the main reasons these cookies have earned a loyal fanbase is their texture. They are soft and chewy with a buttery crumb, unlike traditional crisp sugar cookies. The filling adds a caramelized richness that’s balanced out by the tangy cream cheese frosting. Together, it’s a flavor and texture combination that’s hard to resist.

Another standout quality is the visual appeal. The cinnamon swirl baked into each cookie gives it a stunning spiral pattern that looks intricate and professional. This makes them ideal not only for home snacking but also for gifting or serving at events where presentation matters.

And finally, they’re incredibly versatile. You can dress them up with extra toppings like chopped nuts or a dusting of cinnamon sugar, or simplify the process by skipping the icing for a more rustic, sweet-and-spicy treat.

Occasions Perfect for Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

These cookies are a versatile addition to any dessert lineup and can easily be adapted to fit a wide range of events and seasons:

• Holiday Baking: Their warming cinnamon flavor makes them ideal for winter holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

• Valentine’s Day Treats: Add a little pink food coloring to the icing or shape the dough into hearts for a sweet, themed twist.

• Brunch Parties: Instead of baking full-sized cinnamon rolls, these cookies offer a more manageable, grab-and-go option for guests.

• Gift Baskets: Stack them in a decorative tin or wrap in cellophane for a beautiful and delicious homemade gift.

• Bake Sales and Fundraisers: Their standout look and unique flavor combo make them top sellers.

Tips for Success

If you want to ensure your Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies turn out perfect every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Chill the Dough: This is crucial. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to slice clean, even rounds without smooshing the swirl. It also prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

• Don’t Overbake: The cookies may look underdone when you first pull them from the oven. That’s intentional. Overbaking will take away from the soft and chewy texture that defines these cookies.

• Use High-Quality Butter and Vanilla: Since these ingredients provide most of the flavor, it’s worth using real butter and pure vanilla or vanilla bean paste for the best taste.

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened before mixing. This helps achieve a smoother dough and icing.

• Customize Your Icing: The cream cheese frosting can be made thinner for drizzling or thicker for spreading, depending on your preference. You can also add a touch of maple syrup or a pinch of nutmeg for a unique twist.

Storing and Freezing

These cookies store beautifully and can also be frozen for long-term enjoyment. Once the icing is set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If you’re planning to freeze them:

• Before Icing: Freeze the baked cookies plain, then thaw and frost when ready to serve.

• After Icing: Flash freeze the frosted cookies on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container with layers of wax paper in between. This helps preserve the icing’s texture.

When properly stored, they can last in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Variations and Add-Ons

While the base recipe is delicious as-is, don’t be afraid to get creative:

• Add Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: Mix into the cinnamon sugar filling for a nutty crunch.

• Swap Extracts: Try using maple, coconut, or orange extract in place of almond for a new flavor profile.

• Add Raisins or Dried Cranberries: Channel a more classic cinnamon roll flavor by sprinkling dried fruit into the filling.

• Cinnamon Roll Sandwich Cookies: Use two cookies and sandwich them together with extra cream cheese frosting in the middle.

• Glaze Instead of Frosting: For a quicker topping, skip the cream cheese and just drizzle with a powdered sugar and milk glaze.

A Treat That Brings Comfort and Joy

One of the most rewarding aspects of baking is creating something that brings warmth and happiness to those who enjoy it. Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies do exactly that. Their comforting aroma as they bake, the satisfying swirl of cinnamon in every bite, and the creamy frosting that melts on your tongue all work together to evoke the same feelings you get from biting into a fresh, homemade cinnamon roll—just in cookie form.

They’re especially great for bringing people together. Whether it’s family in the kitchen during the holidays, kids helping to frost cookies, or friends gathered around a dessert table, these cookies are built for sharing and making memories.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving world of baking, Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies stand out as a perfect example of creativity meeting comfort. They take the best parts of two beloved classics and fuse them into a cookie that’s soft, sweet, visually stunning, and absolutely delicious. With a short preparation time, simple ingredients, and loads of customization options, these cookies are a must-try for bakers of all skill levels.

So next time you’re craving a cinnamon roll but don’t want the hassle—or just want to impress at your next gathering—reach for this recipe. It’s the kind of dessert that doesn’t just satisfy your sweet tooth—it makes you smile with every bite.