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If you are looking for a cozy, sweet treat that instantly feels like a warm hug, look no further than The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe. These cookies are a perfect harmony of soft, chewy texture and bold cinnamon flavor wrapped in a sugar-dusted shell. What sets this recipe apart is the unique swirl of cinnamon filling hidden inside, creating little pockets of spice that burst through every bite. Whether it’s a chilly afternoon snack or a festive party favorite, these cookies will soon become your go-to for sharing smiles and satisfying that sweet tooth with a nostalgic twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is key to making The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe. Each ingredient plays a special role in building the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and aroma that makes these cookies irresistible.
- Salted butter, softened: Provides richness and tenderness that melt in your mouth.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses note that deepens the cinnamon flavor.
- Cinnamon: This star spice gives the cookies their warm, comforting flavor and beautiful aroma.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie dough and creates a light crumb texture.
- Large eggs: Bind the dough together while adding moisture and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a sweet, aromatic touch.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure and chewiness in the cookie.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender bite.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and strengthens the flavors.
- Cream of tartar: Adds a slight tang and contributes to the soft texture.
- Cinnamon sugar mix: To coat the dough balls, giving a delightful crunch and cinnamon spark.
How to Make The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Start by beating 6 tablespoons of softened butter until creamy, then add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix until the filling is perfectly smooth and combined, promising pockets of rich, cinnamon-y softness inside every cookie.
Step 2: Shape and Freeze Filling
Use a spoon to form small marble-sized balls of your cinnamon filling and lay them out on parchment paper. Freezing these filling balls is crucial because they firm up, making it easier to fold them into the dough without melting and creating that signature cinnamon surprise.
Step 3: Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Keeping everything ready helps the baking process go smoothly and ensures even cooking.
Step 4: Make the Dough
Beat 1 cup of softened butter until smooth, then add granulated sugar, continuing to beat until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract for moisture and flavor, creating the base that will hold the delicious filling balls and give the cookies their soft texture.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
Gently add flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined – it’s essential not to overmix here to keep the cookies tender, so fold carefully and patiently.
Step 6: Fold in Cinnamon Filling
Once your filling balls are firm, gently fold them into the dough with a wooden spoon or spatula. This step is what transforms the cookies into the charming cinnamon-filled delights that make The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe so uniquely satisfying.
Step 7: Shape Cookie Dough
Use a large cookie scoop or spoon to portion out dough balls about 2 inches across. Slightly overfill the scoop for chunkier, more decadent cookies that bake up thick and chewy.
Step 8: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
Roll each dough ball in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon before baking. This coating adds a lovely crunch and extra layer of cinnamon flavor that’s simply irresistible.
Step 9: Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place the dough balls with space between them on your prepared baking sheets, so they have room to spread just enough and bake evenly into perfect rounds.
Step 10: Bake, Shape, and Cool
Bake for 11 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but not browned, and the cinnamon centers shine softly. Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, use a spoon to gently reshape and thicken the cookies by pushing in any oozing filling. Let them cool on the pan before transferring to a rack to finish cooling—the anticipation to dig in is real!
How to Serve The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top while the cookies are warm for an extra sparkle and crunch. A light dusting of powdered sugar also makes a lovely contrast and adds an elegant touch perfect for gifting or special occasions.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot coffee or chai tea. Their warm cinnamon notes complement creamy or spiced drinks, making any break or gathering feel comforting and indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies with a layer of cream cheese frosting or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert. You can also serve them alongside fresh fruit or a compote to balance their sweetness with a refreshing tang.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and they’ll stay soft and chewy, ready whenever a cinnamon craving hits.
Freezing
The dough and shaped cookies can be frozen before baking—just roll them in cinnamon sugar first, then freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time, so you always have a stash of The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe on hand.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. Reheating brings out the soft texture and the inviting aroma of cinnamon, almost as good as fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter. Just add a pinch of extra salt to the dough to enhance the flavors as the salted butter does.
Why do I need to freeze the cinnamon filling balls?
Freezing the filling balls firms them up so they don’t melt into the dough during mixing or baking, ensuring you get pockets of cinnamon flavor precisely where you want them.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend suitable for baking, but be mindful that texture might slightly vary.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies remain fresh and delicious for up to one week.
What makes this recipe the best cinnamon cookie recipe?
The swirl of cinnamon filling, combined with the tender dough and cinnamon sugar coating, creates a cookie experience that’s both unique and wonderfully comforting — a memorable treat that stands out.
Final Thoughts
Making The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe is like inviting warmth and happiness into your kitchen. Each bite feels like a cozy celebration of cinnamon’s magic, from the soft texture to the delicious filling that surprises you every time. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and share it with your friends and family – because once you do, these cookies will turn into a beloved classic in your household too!
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The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe
- Total Time: 36 minutes
- Yield: 33 cookies 1x
Description
This cinnamon cookie recipe features a unique cinnamon sugar filling rolled into a tender, cinnamon-spiced dough. The cookies are coated in cinnamon sugar and baked to perfection, resulting in warm, chewy treats with gooey cinnamon centers. Perfect for cinnamon lovers, these cookies are ideal for sharing or enjoying with a glass of milk.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Filling
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
For the Dough
- 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks), softened
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
For Coating
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 6 tablespoons softened butter until creamy. Add 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon. Beat thoroughly, scraping down the sides, until mixture is completely smooth and combined.
- Shape and Freeze Filling: Line a baking sheet or large platter with parchment paper or silicone mat. Use a spoon to form small marble-sized balls of the filling and arrange them on the prepared pan. Freeze for about 20 minutes until hardened, or refrigerate for 1-2 hours if freezer space is limited.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. The pan with filling balls can be kept in the freezer for later use.
- Make the Dough: In the same large bowl or stand mixer, beat 1 cup softened butter for a couple of minutes until smooth. Add 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, scraping the sides. Mixture should be smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour to the bowl without mixing yet. Top with 1 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar. Gently beat the flour and leavening agents into the butter mixture just until combined, scraping the bowl carefully to avoid over-mixing.
- Fold in Cinnamon Filling: Once filling balls are firm and frozen, fold them gently into the dough using a wooden spoon or spatula. Avoid using a mixer at this stage to keep filling intact.
- Shape Cookie Dough: Use a large cookie scoop or spoon to scoop dough balls about 2 inches across, slightly overfilling the scoop for chunkier cookies.
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon. Roll each dough ball in this cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake about 8 cookies per large sheet for best results.
- Bake Cookies: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 11-12 minutes. Cookies will appear slightly underdone with shiny filling centers. The edges should be set but not golden, and tops (apart from filling) should look matte.
- Shape Immediately: Right after removing from oven (within 30-60 seconds), use the edge of a spoon to nudge and reshape cookies into circles, scooping up and packing in any oozing filling or edges to make cookies thicker and chewier.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully. Enjoy warm, ideally with a glass of milk.
Notes
- Freezing the cinnamon filling balls before folding into dough helps maintain their shape and prevents them from melting into the dough completely.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour and leavening; overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Shaping cookies immediately after baking preserves a thicker, chewier texture by reincorporating any melted filling back into the cookie.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats on baking sheets for easy cookie removal and cleanup.
- For chunkier cookies, slightly overfill the cookie scoop when shaping the dough balls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
