Cinnamon Roll Cookies – Swirled Slice And Bake Cookies With Sweet Glaze

There’s something deeply satisfying about a cookie that looks like a cinnamon roll but behaves like a sugar cookie. This recipe meets you right at that sweet spot.

You get the buttery chew of a soft cookie. You get the swirl of brown sugar and cinnamon that curls into each bite like a whisper of Christmas morning.

And you get it all without yeast, without rising time, and without uncertainty.

You’ll learn how to build that swirl, slice the cookies without smearing it, and glaze just enough to feel polished without covering the story underneath.

Let’s make cookies that look like cinnamon rolls and taste like comfort.

Soft Cookie Dough With Enough Strength to Roll

Start by creaming softened butter with sugar. Go for light and fluffy. That texture tells you the air is in.

Add the egg, then vanilla. Let it blend fully. You want the dough to hold together, not flake apart. In a separate bowl, mix your flour, salt, and baking powder. No sifting here, just even mixing.

Combine the dry into the wet in stages. Stir just until the dough starts pulling clean from the bowl. If it clings too much, you’re overmixing. The dough should feel soft but not sticky.

This base reminds me of the dough I use for my Classic German Cinnamon Star Cookies. It holds its shape but stays tender after baking.

Divide it in half. Pat each into a flat disc, wrap it, and let it chill. This isn’t just about firmness. It gives the flour time to hydrate and the butter to settle. Makes rolling easier and cleaner.

Cinnamon Roll Filling With a Quiet Boost

Melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. You’ll want the mix thick but spreadable.

In my notebook, I made a note once: add a pinch of salt to the filling, even if it’s not listed. That note came after a batch that tasted flat. A touch of salt changed the story. That’s your nudge.

This technique works especially well if you’ve tried my Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls. The principle is the same. Richness comes from small contrasts.

Let it cool slightly. Not cold, just no longer warm. Warm filling on cool dough makes sliding. That’s the enemy of the spiral.

How to Build the Swirl Without Breakage

Roll out the dough into a rectangle. I go about a quarter inch thick. Any thinner and it tears, any thicker and it bulks up the swirl.

Spread the cinnamon filling gently, leaving a clean border around the edge. That border stops the leak. Begin rolling from the long side, using two hands to guide the log tight but not squished.

Wrap the log and return it to the fridge. Cold dough slices better. That chill locks the shape.

The swirl technique here reminds me of the fun I had shaping Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls. This version is just more refined.

Slice and Bake With a Golden Edge

Preheat your oven and line your baking trays. Sharp knife ready? Serrated is best.

Slice about half an inch thick. Wipe the knife every two or three cuts. Those spirals are sensitive.

Space them well. These spread a little. Bake until the edges catch a hint of gold. They should stay pale on top.

Once out, give them five minutes on the tray. This helps them set without collapsing. Then cool them fully on a rack.

I’ve used a similar slicing technique with Sticky Buns. The key is always temperature control and a clean blade.

Glaze With Restraint and Rhythm

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a pourable glaze. I use a spoon or a piping bag, depending on the day.

Drizzle, don’t coat. Let the glaze follow the swirl. It should feel like an accent, not a mask.

Let it set before storing. The cookies need a dry top if you plan to stack them.

That swirl with glaze reminds me of Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies. They’re bolder, yes, but the contrast of spice and sweetness is just as satisfying.

Save This For Your Holiday Board

Go ahead and pin this to your Christmas cookie board or your weekend bake list.

And if you make them, let me know in the comments. Did you add the almond? Did you try the pinch of salt?

I’d love to hear what your kitchen smelled like and if your cat got involved.