How To Make The Best Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

A plate stacked with golden-brown cinnamon sugar cookies, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, accompanied by cinnamon sticks and a small bowl of cinnamon sugar.

Not quite a snickerdoodle, not quite a sugar cookie. These are the best Cinnamon Sugar Cookies you’ll have!


A Touch of Warmth in Every Bite ✨

Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked cinnamon sugar cookies. They’re buttery, soft on the inside, and covered with a sparkling cinnamon-sugar crust that makes every bite feel special. These are the cookies that belong on every table – from holiday parties to a cozy midweek coffee break.

Jump to Recipe

Are they budget-friendly? 💵

A stack of freshly baked cinnamon sugar cookies arranged on a plate, sprinkled with sugar and accompanied by cinnamon sticks.

Yes! These cookies are made from simple pantry staples – butter, sugar, flour, and cinnamon. No cream of tartar, no specialty ingredients. If grocery prices are stretching your budget (sound familiar?), this recipe is proof that comfort baking doesn’t have to be expensive. A whole batch costs about the same as a café latte.


Why you’ll love them ❤️

  • Quick to bake – from bowl to plate in under 30 minutes.
  • Simple ingredients – you likely already have everything at home.
  • Kid-friendly – little hands love rolling the dough balls in cinnamon sugar.
  • Holiday favorite – perfect for cookie trays or gifting.
  • Easy to prep ahead – freeze dough balls and bake when needed.
  • Classic flavor – cinnamon and sugar just never go out of style.

A plate of freshly baked cinnamon sugar cookies, some partially eaten, alongside a bowl of cinnamon sugar and cinnamon sticks on a white wooden surface.

If you like this, you’ll also love… 🍪

  • American Cherry Dump Cake – A wonderfully simple dessert classic. Everything is just “dumped” into the pan: sweet cherries baked under a buttery cake topping.
  • Christmas Snickerdoodles – Think of these as the festive sister of today’s cookies. Extra spice and holiday sparkle, perfect for an Advent cookie tray.
  • Chocolate Orange Truffles – If you’re in the mood for an elegant no-bake dessert: creamy truffles with a delicate citrus note, perfect as a gift.

Each recipe has its own personality – but they all share the same cozy, homemade feel.


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Ingredients 📝

For the Dough

  • 225 g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 200 g (1 cup) sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 190 g (1 ½ cups) flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

  • 100 g (½ cup) sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven – Heat to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cream butter & sugar – Beat until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla.
  3. Mix dry ingredients – In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  4. Combine – Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture little by little, stirring just until a dough forms.
  5. Make cinnamon sugar – In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
  6. Shape & roll – Form dough into balls (about 1 inch / 2.5 cm) and roll in the mixture.
  7. Bake – Place on the baking sheet with space between them and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.
  8. Cool – Rest for 2–3 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

Nutrition (per cookie, approx.)

CaloriesCarbsFatProtein
17521 g9 g2 g

FAQ

A stack of freshly baked cinnamon sugar cookies with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on a white plate, accompanied by cinnamon sticks and a small bowl of cinnamon sugar.

How long do cinnamon sugar cookies keep?
In an airtight container, they stay fresh for 3–5 days.

Can you freeze them?
Yes – both the raw dough balls (already rolled in cinnamon sugar) and the baked cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Are these snickerdoodles?
Not exactly. Snickerdoodles usually include cream of tartar, which adds a tangy flavor.

Do I need to chill the dough?
No, but chilling for 20 minutes gives rounder cookies and helps prevent spreading.

Why did my cookies turn out flat?
Likely because the butter was too soft or the oven wasn’t hot enough. Try chilling the dough briefly or checking your oven with a thermometer.

Can I use whole wheat flour?
Partially, yes – ideally half all-purpose and half whole wheat so the cookies don’t get too dense.

Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes – use margarine and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).

Can I vary the spices?
Of course. Nutmeg, cardamom, or even a touch of gingerbread spice work beautifully.

How do I make them crispier?
Bake for 1–2 extra minutes and let them cool fully on a rack.

Can I add nuts or chocolate?
Yes – chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chunks make great additions.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just bake on multiple trays so the heat distributes evenly.

Which oven rack is best?
The middle rack, for even browning.


Storage & Make-Ahead

  • Room temperature – Store in an airtight container for 3–5 days.
  • Freezer – Freeze both dough balls and baked cookies for up to 2 months.
  • Make-ahead – Prepare dough the night before, refrigerate, and bake the next day.

The Final Forkful 🍴

A plate of cinnamon sugar cookies topped with a sparkling cinnamon-sugar coating, alongside cinnamon sticks and a small bowl of cinnamon sugar.

These cinnamon sugar cookies prove that the simplest ingredients create the most comforting moments. Buttery, soft, and with the perfect cinnamon-sugar crust – they’re just right with coffee, cocoa, or fresh off the tray.

I can’t wait to see your comments and photos!

Much love,

Whisk & Wunder

How To Make The Best Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Recipe by Whisk&WunderCourse: Bakes, English Recipes
Servings

12

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

12

minutes
Calories

175

kcal

These cinnamon cookies are out of this world and should be a go-to for you this fall!

Ingredients

  • For the Dough

  • 225 g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened

  • 200 g (1 cup) sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 190 g (1 ½ cups) flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

  • 100 g (½ cup) sugar

  • 2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

  • Preheat the oven – Heat to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cream butter & sugar – Beat until pale and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla.
  • Mix dry ingredients – In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  • Combine – Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture little by little, stirring just until a dough forms.
  • Make cinnamon sugar – In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.
  • Shape & roll – Form dough into balls (about 1 inch / 2.5 cm) and roll in the mixture.
  • Bake – Place on the baking sheet with space between them and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.
  • Cool – Rest for 2–3 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

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