Cinnamon Roll Cookies: a cozy holiday favorite

The days are short, snow flurries fly, the weather is chilly here in Colorado, and we are leaning into the spirit of the season. With Yule just around the corner we are preparing for the winter months ahead and that means more time in the kitchen trying the coziest recipes. Cinnamon Rolls are a favorite in our home and these cookies are a wonderful new way to enjoy a classic and make the perfect treat to bring to any holiday party or to enjoy while watching your favorite holiday movies.

The Ingredients You'll Need

To whip up these cookies, gather the following ingredients:

• 3 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 ½ cups sugar, packed

• 1 large egg and 3 egg whites

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract:

  
  

For the cinnamon swirl filling:

• 3 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon cloves

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 5 tablespoons salted butter, softened

  
  

And for the cream cheese icing:

• 2 cups of powdered sugar

• 5 tablespoons milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  
  

Mixing the Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until your mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well incorporated.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently. Avoid overmixing; the dough should be slightly sticky and just combined, which ensures a soft texture once baked.

Creating the Cinnamon Swirl

For the cinnamon swirl filling, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll out the cookie dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Evenly spread softened butter over the dough before sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.

Starting from one end, carefully roll the dough into a log shape and let the roll sit in the fridge for 3 hours (I wrap the log with plastic and let it chill for at least 3 hours). Slice the log into 1-inch pieces and place them on a baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie. This spacing is key, as cookies can spread while baking.

Baking and Icing

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes and then allow them to cool on a wire rack for another 20 minutes

While the cookies cool, prepare the icing by combining softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy, which will take about 1-2 minutes.

Once the cookies have cooled slightly, generously cover the cinnamon roll cookies with icing.