The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe

If you are looking for that perfect treat to cozy up your afternoon or impress friends and family, then let me introduce you to The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe. This delightful creation is bursting with warm, spicy cinnamon flavor wrapped up in soft, chewy dough that will have you reaching for seconds and thirds without hesitation. The combination of cinnamon filling marbled inside the tender cookie dough is simply irresistible, making these cookies an absolute showstopper for any occasion. Trust me, once you make these, they will quickly become your new favorite go-to recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create layers of flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays an essential role in balancing sweetness, spice, and softness in these cinnamon cookies.

• Salted butter: Adds richness and tenderness to both the filling and dough, giving the cookies a luscious mouthfeel.
• Brown sugar: Contributes a deep molasses sweetness with moisture that keeps cookies soft.
• Cinnamon: The star spice, infusing every bite with warmth and aromatic complexity.
• Granulated sugar: Provides crispness and help in caramelizing the edges slightly.
• Large eggs: Bind the dough while adding lift and structure.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with gentle sweetness and depth.
• All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that holds everything together with the perfect chewy bite.
• Baking soda: Lightens the dough and helps it spread just enough during baking.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.
• Cream of tartar: Keeps cookies soft and slightly tangy, improving texture.
• Cinnamon sugar: A coating that forms a delightful sweet-spicy crust on each cookie.

How to Make The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

Start by beating 6 tablespoons of softened salted butter in a large bowl until creamy. Then, add the brown sugar and cinnamon, and beat everything together until it becomes a smooth, luscious filling. This step is essential as it creates the flavorful pockets that make these cookies so special.

Step 2: Shape and Freeze the Filling

Next, spoon the filling into small marble-sized balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freezing these filling balls until firm, either about 20 minutes in the freezer or a couple of hours in the refrigerator, makes them easier to fold into the dough later without melting or spreading too much.

Step 3: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Having your pans ready ensures a smooth baking process when it’s time to cook the cookies.

Step 4: Make the Cookie Dough

Beat the softened butter for the dough until smooth, then add the granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing gently until the dough comes together into a silky, smooth mixture. This step creates the perfect base that will balance the rich filling.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, measure out the flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and cream of tartar. Add these dry ingredients on top of the wet mixture, and beat gently just until combined. Using gentle strokes here is key to maintaining a tender crumb.

Step 6: Fold in the Frozen Cinnamon Filling

Once your cinnamon filling balls are firm, carefully fold them into the dough using a spatula or wooden spoon. Avoid the mixer here to keep the filling balls intact, allowing them to create pockets of gooey cinnamon surprise inside the cookies.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Use a large cookie scoop or spoon to form dough balls about 2 inches in diameter. Slightly overfilling the scoop will result in chunkier, more indulgent cookies, just the way they should be.

Step 8: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

Roll each dough ball in a small bowl of cinnamon sugar, ensuring an even coating. This adds a delightful sweet crunch and intensifies the cinnamon flavor on the outside.

Step 9: Arrange and Bake

Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets with about 2 inches spacing between each. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes; the cookies should look slightly underdone with glossy centers of cinnamon filling. The edges should be set but still tender, so resist the urge to overbake!

Step 10: Shape Immediately After Baking

Right after taking the cookies out, use the edge of a spoon to gently nudge the cookies back into perfect round shapes by scooping in any oozing filling or uneven edges. This quick shaping step gives the finished cookies that chewy, thick texture we all adore.

Step 11: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the pan for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Pair these warm, cinnamony delights with a glass of cold milk for the ultimate comfort experience.

How to Serve The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

These cookies are perfection on their own, but a light dusting of powdered sugar over the top adds an elegant touch and a hint of extra sweetness that looks beautiful as well.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or a creamy latte to complement the warm cinnamon spices. For a decadent treat, try them alongside vanilla ice cream or a scoop of cinnamon-spiced yogurt.

Creative Ways to Present

Create a charming cookie platter by layering these cinnamon cookies with apple slices and caramel dipping sauce, turning your dessert into an autumnal celebration perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The cookies maintain their soft, chewy texture beautifully, though they’re so tempting you might not have any leftovers!

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking for up to 3 months. Just coat with cinnamon sugar, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, reheat cookies in a low oven at 300°F (149°C) for about 5 minutes or microwave individually for 10-15 seconds. They’ll taste just like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?

Absolutely! If you use unsalted butter, simply add a pinch more salt to the dough to compensate. Salt enhances the flavors, so don’t skip it.

What if I don’t have cream of tartar?

You can substitute cream of tartar with an equal amount of lemon juice or vinegar to help keep the cookies tender, but the texture might be slightly different.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum to mimic the same texture and structure.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The edges should look set, and the tops matte except for the glossy cinnamon filling centers. They will feel soft but not doughy; it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake for chewy cookies.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! Just be sure to mix the dough and filling in batches large enough to handle comfortably, and bake the cookies in multiple batches for best results.

Final Thoughts

This recipe truly earns its name as The Best Cinnamon Cookie Recipe because of its unbeatable combination of soft, chewy dough and rich, cinnamon-spiced filling. Every step is designed to maximize flavor and texture, resulting in a cookie that’s both comforting and uniquely memorable. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy these little bites of cinnamon heaven as much as I do!

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