Cinnamon Roll Cookies

• servings: 36 servings
• total time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons (28g) butter, melted and slightly cooled

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar

3 Tablespoons (45ml) milk

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Make the dough:

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl using a handheld or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be a bit soft. If the dough seems too soft and sticky for rolling, add 1 more Tablespoon of flour.

Shape and fill

Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Roll each portion out in a rectangle (about 9×7 inches) onto a floured silicone baking mat (or floured parchment paper) to about 1/4″ thickness. Spread 1 Tablespoon of melted butter onto each rectangle. Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together then sprinkle evenly over each.

Working slowly, tightly roll up each rectangle into a 9-inch log. If the dough is cracking at all, use your fingers to smooth it out. Some cracks are OK. Chill the logs of dough for at least 2 hours (or freeze up to 3 months). What I like to do is carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board or plate and cover loosely with plastic wrap.

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Remove dough logs from the refrigerator. Cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place slices onto baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-11 minutes, until lightly browned on the sides. Remove from the oven, allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

Make the icing

Whisk all of the icing ingredients together. Drizzle over cookies.

Cover and store cookies at room temperature for up to 5 days.