Soft & Chewy Cinnamon Roll Cookies - Bake Today

Hey there, fellow cookie lovers! Are you dreaming of that warm, comforting taste of a fresh cinnamon roll, but maybe don't have the time or energy for all the yeast and rising? Well, get ready to have your mind (and taste buds!) blown, because today we're diving into the wonderful world of soft and chewy cinnamon roll cookies. This isn't just any cinnamon roll cookie recipe; it's designed to give you all the gooey, spiced goodness of your favorite breakfast pastry, perfectly packaged into a delightful cookie.
As someone who's spent countless hours in the kitchen perfecting everything from the best soft cookies to intricate pastries, I can tell you that these recipe cinnamon cookies are a true game-changer. They combine a tender, buttery cookie base infused with warm cinnamon with a luscious cream cheese frosting that tastes just like the real deal. Whether you're a baking newbie or a seasoned pro, this guide will walk you through every step to ensure your cinnamon roll cookies come out perfectly soft and chewy every single time. So, grab your apron, and let's make some magic!

Ingredients

• For the Soft & Chewy Cookies:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content. Softened butter creams easily with sugar, creating a light, airy base for your cookies butter cookies.
• ¾ cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the tender texture.
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds a deeper, molasses-like flavor and contributes to the cookies' chewiness.
• 2 large eggs: Act as a binder, add moisture, and contribute to the richness and structure of the cookies.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors, making the cookies taste richer and more aromatic.
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The structural backbone of your cookies. Measured correctly, it ensures the right consistency.
• 2 teaspoons baking powder: The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become soft.
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives these cookies their signature flavor.
• ½ teaspoon sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened: The essential ingredient for that classic tangy cream cheese frosting flavor. Make sure it's softened for a smooth mix.
• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps create a stable, spreadable frosting.
• 2 cups powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and thickens the frosting to the perfect consistency. Sift if lumpy!
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Rounds out the frosting's flavor.
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: A touch more cinnamon in the frosting ties everything together beautifully.

Directions

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets: Get your oven ready by preheating it to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
2. Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
3. Chill Dough: This step is crucial for achieving that perfect soft and chewy texture and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Chilling allows the butter to firm up and the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a more flavorful and stable cookie.
4. Shape the Cookies: Once chilled, scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough. Roll them into smooth balls between your palms. Place the dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. Gently flatten each cookie ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your palm. This helps them bake evenly and gives them a good surface for frosting.
5. Bake: Pop your baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set but still look slightly soft. Remember, cookies continue to cook slightly after they're removed from the oven, so don't overbake them if you want them truly soft and chewy. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare the Frosting: While the cookies are cooling, it's frosting time! In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth. Finally, beat in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon until light and fluffy.
7. Frost the Cookies: This is the fun part! Once your cookies are completely cool (and I mean completely cool – warm cookies will melt your beautiful frosting!), spread a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting over each one. You can use an offset spatula or simply a spoon. Get ready to enjoy your homemade cinnamon roll cookies!