I love these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies because they bring together the soft, sweet taste of sugar cookies with the cozy, warm flavor of cinnamon rolls. The cookie base is extra soft from a mix of butter and oil, and I add a layer of brown sugar and cinnamon for that classic cinnamon roll taste. A swirl of cream cheese frosting on top makes them perfectly sweet. They’re easy to make and always impress—perfect for when I want a special treat without too much work!

Fun Variations for Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

To switch things up, I sometimes add a little nutmeg or cloves for extra spice. For a fruity twist, I’ll mix in a bit of apple or raisin filling with the cinnamon layer. If I’m feeling fancy, I might drizzle caramel or chocolate over the cream cheese frosting. And for a festive touch, I can sprinkle chopped nuts or a bit of cinnamon sugar on top!

What you’ll need to make Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

For the Cookie Dough:

½ cup butter (softened)
6 tbsp powdered sugar
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp cream of tartar
¼ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
10 tbsp granulated sugar
6 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp water
1 large egg
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp granulated sugar (for coating)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

6 tbsp butter (softened)
½ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese (softened)
4 tbsp butter (softened)
½ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

How to make these Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Then, add canola oil, water, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
Shape Cookies: Use a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) to portion out the dough. Roll each scoop into a ball and place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between them. Press each ball down with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar to create a small well.
Prepare Cinnamon Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until well combined. Fill the well of each cookie with this cinnamon mixture, spreading it toward the edges but not over them.
Bake: Bake for 9-10 minutes, until the edges are just golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets completely.
Make Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cookies cool, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
Frost Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, pipe swirls of cream cheese frosting onto each cookie.

Tips for Success

Ensure your butter, egg, and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing.
Don’t overmix the dough; stop once everything is combined to keep the cookies soft.
If the dough is too soft, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking.
To keep cookies fresh, store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frost and refrigerate them for up to a week.

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Why You’ll Love These Cookies

These Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies are a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, offering the comfort of cinnamon rolls in a portable cookie form. They’re perfect for any occasion, whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee or sharing them as gifts. Plus, they’re versatile enough to be customized with chocolate chips or nuts for extra flair. Enjoy baking these treats and watch them disappear!