Who doesn’t love a warm, gooey cinnamon bun? And who can resist a soft, buttery cookie? Well, I’ve got the perfect treat for you Cinnamon Bun Sugar Cookies! These little delights combine all the cozy flavors of a cinnamon roll but in a much easier-to-make (and eat) cookie form. Perfect for a family treat, a holiday dessert, or just a little something sweet with your afternoon coffee. Let’s get baking!
Method
Mixing the Dough
To begin, take a large mixing bowl and add the butter, white sugar, and powdered sugar. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, cream these ingredients together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it ensures that the cookies have a soft and smooth texture. Once the sugars and butter are well incorporated, add in the egg and the cream cheese. Continue mixing until everything is well combined and the dough becomes smooth and creamy. The cream cheese adds richness to the cookies, enhancing their softness and flavor.
Combining the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. It’s important to mix these dry ingredients separately to ensure the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the dough. Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring consistently. As you mix, the dough will start to come together and become thick. Be sure to mix just until combined; overmixing could result in a tougher texture. Once the dough forms, set it aside while you prepare the filling.
Making the Filling
For the cinnamon-sugar filling, start by melting the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. It should be fully melted but not too hot. Once melted, add in the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon, stirring everything together until it forms a thick and well-combined mixture. This filling is what gives the cookies their signature cinnamon bun flavor, so make sure it’s evenly mixed before spreading it onto the dough.
Rolling and Filling the Dough
Take a well-floured surface and place the dough onto it. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into an oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick. Ensure your rolling pin and the surface are generously floured to prevent the dough from sticking. Once rolled out, spread the cinnamon filling evenly across the entire surface of the dough using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure every inch of the dough is covered so that each bite is filled with that delicious cinnamon-sugar goodness.
Rolling the Dough into a Log
Now comes the fun part! Starting from one end, carefully roll the dough into a log shape, just as you would with a traditional cinnamon roll. Be gentle and try to keep the roll tight but not overly tight, as this will help keep the cookies soft and maintain their swirled appearance when sliced.
Slicing and Arranging the Cookies
Once you have rolled up the dough, take a sharp knife and carefully slice it into 2-inch thick pieces. Make sure to use a sharp blade to get clean cuts without squishing the dough. Lay each slice flat onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them to allow for slight spreading during baking.
Baking the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking sheet with the sliced cookies into the oven and bake for about 11 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as you want them to remain soft and slightly golden around the edges. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm for the ultimate cinnamon bun experience!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Cinnamon Bun Sugar Cookies
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy14
servings20
minutes11
minutes31
minutesIngredients
For the Cookie Dough
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp cream cheese
2 1/3 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
For the Filling
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp flour
2 tbsp cinnamon
Directions
- Mix the Dough: Start by creaming together the butter, white sugar, and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Once smooth, add in the egg and cream cheese. Keep mixing until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft cookie dough forms.
- Make the Filling: Melt the butter in a small bowl (microwave works great), then stir in the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until it becomes a thick, sugary paste.
- Roll and Fill: On a well-floured surface, roll out the cookie dough into an oval shape, about 1/4-inch thick. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly across the entire surface.
- Roll it Up: Gently roll the dough from one end to the other, just like you would for a cinnamon roll.
- Slice and Bake: Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 2-inch thick slices. Lay them flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Pop them into a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for 11 minutes. They should be soft and just slightly golden on the edges.
Notes
- Flour Your Surface Well: The dough can be a little sticky, so be generous with your flour when rolling it out.
- Spread the Filling Evenly: This ensures every bite has that delicious cinnamon-sugar taste.
- Roll Gently: If you roll the dough too tightly, the cookies may lose their soft texture. Keep it snug but not too tight.
- Use a Sharp Knife: A dull knife can squish the dough instead of slicing it cleanly.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies should stay soft! If they look slightly underbaked in the center, that’s okay they’ll continue to set as they cool.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk.
- Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness.
- Serve alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy snack.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for an indulgent dessert.
Fun Fact!
Did you know cinnamon has been used for over 4,000 years? Ancient Egyptians valued it so much that it was considered a gift fit for kings!
Conclusion
Cinnamon Bun Sugar Cookies are the best of both worlds: warm, cinnamon-filled goodness with the ease of a cookie! Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just because, these cookies will bring a smile to anyone’s face. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get baking! Happy baking!
