Prepare to have your taste buds enchanted by these incredibly delicious cinnamon roll cookies. Imagine sinking your teeth into the warm, comforting flavors of a classic cinnamon roll, complete with that irresistible frosting, but in a convenient, bite-sized cookie form. The best part? You don’t need to spend hours meticulously rolling and proofing dough to achieve this delightful experience. These cookies offer all the magic of traditional cinnamon rolls with the simplicity of your favorite cookie recipe, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.

This particular post about our beloved cinnamon roll cookies comes with a special touch, as it’s paired with another cherished story from my darling Grandma. This recipe, a twist on Picky Palate’s Snickerdoodle-like cookie, was born from a craving for something truly unique. I was eager to experiment, and with the incredible cinnamon roll frosting recipe we shared yesterday, it was only natural to transform it into the ultimate cinnamon roll cookie experience. The result is a soft, chewy cookie bursting with cinnamon flavor, generously topped with a rich, creamy frosting that tastes just like the real deal.

To achieve that authentic cinnamon kick, we rely on quality cinnamon chips. These little nuggets of flavor are essential for replicating the comforting essence of a cinnamon roll. I typically stock up on several bags during the holiday season to last us throughout the year. However, this year, I found myself needing to order 8 packs of cinnamon chips through Amazon to keep up with our baking adventures! Yes, it might seem excessive, but with irresistible treats like our Churro Chex Mix and the phenomenal Banana Snickerdoodle Cake, these chips are a must-have in our pantry. They add a deep, aromatic spice that elevates every dessert they touch, making these cinnamon roll cookies truly exceptional.

Beyond the joy of baking, our family cherishes the stories passed down through generations. My Grandma, a woman who has spent almost 90 years radiating love and kindness, holds a special place in our hearts. Recently, her sister suffered a stroke, and it has brought a wave of sadness to our family. It’s a poignant reminder of the bittersweet journey of aging and the challenges life brings. I want to ensure that her wonderful spirit and incredible tales are shared with as many people as possible. We are incredibly fortunate to have a book she wrote detailing her life experiences, and each story is a precious gem. The “Sweet Revenge” story I’m about to share is one of my personal favorites, though the outhouse story also ranks highly! If you’d like to explore more of our cherished family anecdotes, you can find a couple more in these posts: Heirloom Apple Rolls and Grandpa’s Famous BBQ Pork.

And now, without further ado, let’s delve into Grandma’s captivating tale!

Sweet Revenge

A Story About Ex-Lax

“Our school was just a small country school, where everyone knew each other and we were generally all friends. However, I had a cousin in my grade who seemed to make it his personal mission to tease and needle me relentlessly. Every time I turned around, he was concocting some mean little trick designed to make me look silly in front of my friends. We took him and his sisters to school in our sleigh, but they always made us late because they were never truly on time. Oh, how I absolutely despised being late! My feelings toward my cousin, therefore, were never genuinely friendly. Perhaps that’s why he felt the need to be so unkind to me.

During my younger years, I was quite and shy, but deep down, there was a spark of mischief tucked away inside of me, just waiting for the right moment to ignite. One particular day, my cousin pushed all my buttons, pulling every imaginable trick to make me utterly miserable. No matter how hard I tried to avoid him, he’d pop up out of nowhere, his devilish grin making me nervous as I braced for whatever was coming next. It felt as though I could almost see tiny horns sprouting from his head! That day, I finally decided I had had enough. I remembered I had a piece of chocolate Ex-Lax (a laxative) hidden in my pencil box. It looked exactly like a delicious piece of candy, except for the word “Ex-Lax” clearly embossed on the top. With my tiny scissors, I ever so carefully scraped those revealing letters off, meticulously removing any trace of its true nature.

At recess, with a mischievous glint in my eye, I sneaked the laxative out of my box and ran out to the playground. My cousin wasn’t hard to find; it seemed there were always a dozen versions of him – lurking by the swings, the giant stride, or the slide, always grinning and annoyingly announcing what color bloomers I was wearing that day. Ohhhhhh! I knew right then that I would finally get even with him today!

I walked up to him with the sweetest smile I could muster and said, “I’ll give you a piece of candy if you’ll be my friend and stop teasing me anymore.” What a trusting, gullible boy he was! He swallowed the line, and the laxative, in one swift gulp. Gosh, I honestly didn’t think he would fall for it so easily. I felt incredibly smug and couldn’t help but wonder if he’d still feel like grinning tomorrow.

The very next day, I was the one with the triumphant grin. Every single time my cousin held up two fingers, seeking permission to be excused from class, I was filled with such internal glee. It took every ounce of my willpower to keep from bursting into laughter out loud, but of course, that would have given my secret away. The satisfaction was palpable.

I laugh about it now, many decades later, and sometimes even feel my forehead to check if I’ve grown horns myself. I haven’t, thankfully. I’ve turned back into that shy little country girl again, but the memory of that day still brings a twinkle to my eye.”

More Irresistible Cookie Recipes You’re Going to Love:

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NY Times BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thick Snickerdoodle Cookies
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Homemade Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

By Sweet Basil

Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 10 mins | Total: 15 mins | Servings: 24

You haven’t truly lived until you’ve experienced these incredibly easy and delicious cinnamon roll cookies. Forget spending hours on traditional cinnamon rolls; just bake these fantastic cookies!

Rated 4.25 out of 5 stars by 16 users.

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Salted Butter, softened (one stick)
3/4 teaspoon Vanilla
1 Large Egg, whisked
1 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons French Vanilla Pudding mix (instant, not prepared)
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Cup Cinnamon Chips
1 Cup White Chocolate Chips
Cinnamon Roll Frosting

Unit Conversion: US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (silpat).
In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy.
Continue mixing for 1 minute, then add the vanilla extract and the whisked large egg. Mix for an additional 15 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, French vanilla pudding mix, baking soda, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
Mix for about 30 seconds, then fold in the cinnamon chips and white chocolate chips by hand.
Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop (or simply roll generous balls of dough), drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Ensure there is enough space between cookies.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are still soft.
While the cookies are baking, prepare the delightful Cinnamon Roll Frosting according to its recipe.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, generously frost each cookie. For an extra treat, you can even make cookie sandwiches by frosting one cookie and topping it with another!

Recipe Notes

These delightful cinnamon roll cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring their freshness and delicious flavor. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies or the baked, frosted cookies (in a single layer, then transferred to a container) for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Per serving (1 cookie):

Calories: 180 kcal
Carbohydrates: 24g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 82mg
Potassium: 60mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 18g
Vitamin A: 133 IU
Vitamin C: 1mg
Calcium: 37mg
Iron: 1mg

Please note that nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

If you enjoyed this recipe and Grandma’s story, we’d love to hear from you!

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts or your own sweet memories!

Don’t Forget Our Amazing Cinnamon Roll Frosting!

This is the frosting that truly captures the essence of an actual cinnamon roll, transforming ordinary cookies into extraordinary treats. It’s rich, creamy, and undeniably addictive!

More Indulgent Sweet Basil Cookie Creations!

Try our White Chocolate Molasses Cookies, a timeless recipe that has been cherished for over 100 years and remains a holiday favorite! These cookies are soft, spiced, and studded with sweet white chocolate chips – pure comfort in every bite.

For peanut butter lovers, our PB Meltaways are an absolute dream. These decadent peanut butter cookies are designed to melt in your mouth, offering a rich, nutty flavor that’s perfectly complemented by a chocolatey center. They are simply irresistible!