Description
This is the best cinnamon cookie recipe that features a soft, tender dough with a spiced cinnamon filling. The cookies are baked until just set with a slightly underdone, gooey filling center. The cookies are rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking for extra flavor and finished by reshaping immediately after baking to create thicker, chewier cookies. Perfect as a cozy treat enjoyed warm with milk.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
Dough
- 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks), softened
- 1 and 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 6 tablespoons softened butter until creamy. Add 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon. Beat well, scraping down the sides, until the mixture is completely smooth and combined.
- Shape and Freeze Filling: Line a baking sheet or large platter with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Use a spoon to form small marble-sized balls of the filling, lining them up on the prepared pan. Place in the freezer for about 20 minutes until hardened, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours if freezer space is limited.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line extra baking sheets with parchment or a silicone mat. The pan with the filling balls can be used later for baking.
- Make the Dough: In the same large bowl or stand mixer, beat 1 cup softened butter for a couple of minutes until smooth. Add 1 and 2/3 cups white sugar and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, scraping down the sides, until smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add 3 and 1/2 cups flour to the bowl (do not mix in yet). On top, add 1 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar. Gently beat the flour and leaveners into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined and scraping the bowl. Avoid over-mixing to keep cookies tender.
- Fold in Cinnamon Filling: Once the filling balls are frozen and firm, fold them into the dough gently using a wooden spoon or a spatula. Do not use a mixer for this step.
- Shape Cookie Dough: Use a large cookie scoop or spoon to make dough balls about 2 inches across, slightly overfilling the scoop for chunkier cookies.
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon. Roll each dough ball in the mixture to coat evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. For best results, bake about 8 cookies per large sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake cookies for 11–12 minutes at 350°F. The cookies will look slightly underdone with shiny filling centers. The non-filling edges should be set but not golden, and the tops (other than the filling) should look matte.
- Shape Immediately: Right after baking (within 30–60 seconds), use the edge of a spoon to nudge and shape the cookies back into circles, scooping up and packing in any oozing filling or edges for thicker, chewier cookies.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the pan for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Enjoy warm, preferably with a glass of milk.
Notes
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats for easy removal and cleanup.
- Freezing the cinnamon filling balls helps maintain distinct pockets of cinnamon flavor in the cookie.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
- Shaping the cookies immediately after baking helps achieve a thick, chewy texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- These cookies are best enjoyed warm but also delicious at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American