Craving the irresistible comfort of a warm cinnamon roll but short on time? These Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies are your delicious solution, offering all the beloved flavors and swirled goodness without any oven time. This simple recipe delivers a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion, proving that you don’t need to bake to achieve cookie perfection.
Key Ingredients for Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies
- For the Cookie Base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/4 cup (8 tablespoons or 113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Get ready to indulge in the simplest yet most satisfying cookie experience! These Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a revelation in speed and flavor, requiring no baking to achieve their signature cinnamon-swirl charm. With just a few steps and a short inactive chilling time, you’ll be rewarded with wonderfully chewy, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that capture the essence of a fresh-baked cinnamon roll. This recipe takes approximately 15 minutes of active preparation and requires at least 1 hour of chilling time before they’re ready to enjoy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until light and fluffy. This process will create the rich, sweet base for your cookies. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. It will be thick and slightly crumbly.
- Assemble the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture: In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, packed light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mash and mix with a fork until a thick paste forms. This mixture will create the irresistible cinnamon filling.
- Shape the Cookies: Take about one-third of the cookie dough and flatten it onto a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Spread half of the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the flattened dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll the Dough: Carefully roll the dough up like a cinnamon roll, starting from one end, using the parchment paper or plastic wrap to help you get a tight log. Once rolled, gently twist the ends of the parchment paper or plastic wrap to seal and refine the log shape. Repeat this process with the remaining cookie dough and cinnamon swirl mixture, dividing it into two more logs. You should have three logs in total.
- Chill the Logs: Place the rolled cookie logs onto a baking sheet or flat surface and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to slice easily. This chilling step is crucial for allowing the cookies to hold their shape when sliced.
- Slice the Cookies: Once the logs are firm, unwrap them. Using a sharp knife, slice each log into 1/2-inch thick rounds. These are your beautiful, swirled cookie dough rounds.
- Make the Glaze: While the logs are chilling or just before serving, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired drizzling consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Arrange the sliced cookie rounds on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the prepared glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving your Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies
You’ll absolutely adore these Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies for their incredible flavor and effortless preparation. The star of the show is undoubtedly the perfect balance of sweet, buttery cookie dough and warm, spiced cinnamon swirl, mimicking the beloved taste of a classic cinnamon roll without any of the fuss. Beyond the deliciousness, making these at home offers a substantial cost-saving benefit compared to purchasing specialty treats, allowing you to enjoy a delightful indulgence more often. The tender, chewy texture and the creamy, sweet glaze topping makes them truly special, reminiscent of something from your favorite bakery but made with love in your own kitchen.
Forget spending hours in a hot kitchen; these cookies are a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly magical. If you usually find yourself baking batches of chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies, prepare to be amazed by how these no-bake wonders can satisfy your sweet tooth just as effectively, if not more so, with a fraction of the effort and baking time. They’re perfectly suited for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or simply when that craving for a cinnamon-spiced treat strikes. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and give these Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies a try – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
These delightful Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for a few days.
- Storing: After the glaze has set, place the cookies in an airtight container. They will keep best at room temperature for up to 3 days. If the weather is particularly warm, you might consider refrigerating them to prevent the glaze from becoming too soft, though this can slightly alter their texture, making them a bit firmer.
- Reheating: These cookies are designed to be enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled, so reheating is generally not necessary and can negatively impact their texture. If you have refrigerated them and prefer them softer, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
- Freezing: While not ideal for freezing due to the glaze and cookie texture, if you must freeze them, do so before glazing. Slice the cookie logs and freeze the rounds in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then glaze before serving.
Final Thoughts
These Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a wonderfully simple way to capture the comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls in a quick and satisfying cookie form. Give them a try for a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion!
Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until light and fluffy. This process will create the rich, sweet base for your cookies. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. It will be thick and slightly crumbly.1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 cups all-purpose flour
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, packed light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mash and mix with a fork until a thick paste forms. This mixture will create the irresistible cinnamon filling.1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- Take about one-third of the cookie dough and flatten it onto a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Spread half of the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the flattened dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Carefully roll the dough up like a cinnamon roll, starting from one end, using the parchment paper or plastic wrap to help you get a tight log. Once rolled, gently twist the ends of the parchment paper or plastic wrap to seal and refine the log shape. Repeat this process with the remaining cookie dough and cinnamon swirl mixture, dividing it into two more logs. You should have three logs in total.
- Place the rolled cookie logs onto a baking sheet or flat surface and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to slice easily. This chilling step is crucial for allowing the cookies to hold their shape when sliced.
- Once the logs are firm, unwrap them. Using a sharp knife, slice each log into 1/2-inch thick rounds. These are your beautiful, swirled cookie dough rounds.
- While the logs are chilling or just before serving, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired drizzling consistency.1 cup powdered sugar, sifted, 2-3 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream for extra richness), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Arrange the sliced cookie rounds on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the prepared glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving your Easy No-Bake Cinnamon Roll Cookies.