Cinnamon Swirl Sugar Cookies

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 12 min
🍽 Serves: 24
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If you're a fan of classic sugar cookies with a twist, these Cinnamon Swirl Sugar Cookies are your new best friend. With a delightful mix of buttery sweetness and a cinnamon swirl, they're perfect for any occasion or just because you deserve a treat.

Ingredients for Cinnamon Swirl Sugar Cookies

The base of these cookies is good old butter, which gives them their rich flavor and tender texture. Granulated sugar sweetens the deal and helps achieve that perfect cookie crispness. The egg works as a binder, keeping everything together, while vanilla extract adds a warm, inviting aroma. For the structure, we use all-purpose flour, and a bit of baking powder ensures they puff up nicely. A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness. The real star is the cinnamon mixed with extra sugar for that signature swirl.

Tips & Tricks

  • Ensure your butter is softened, not melted, for the perfect texture.
  • Chilling the dough for 15 minutes before baking can help maintain the cookie shape.
  • Using a glass with a textured bottom can add an extra decorative touch to the swirl pattern.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert. They also make a lovely addition to a holiday cookie platter, bringing a bit of spice and warmth to the mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, just omit the added salt in the recipe.
How should I store these cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Freeze the dough balls after coating them in cinnamon sugar, then bake as needed.

Cinnamon Swirl Sugar Cookies Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This sets the stage for your cookies to bake evenly without sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. You want this mixture to be light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is crucial for texture, so don't rush it.

Once your butter and sugar are perfectly creamed, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat these in until the mixture is smooth and everything is well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed before you mix them with the wet ingredients.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until a dough forms. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and nobody wants that!

Now, prepare your cinnamon swirl by combining the ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar in a small bowl. Roll your dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until they're well coated.

Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This gives them room to spread during baking.

Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each cookie. As you press down, you’ll see that lovely swirl pattern appear, which is what makes these cookies so eye-catching.

Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be lightly golden while the centers remain soft. Overbaking will make them crunchy rather than chewy.

Once baked, let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up a bit before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
  • The cinnamon-sugar swirl adds a fun visual and flavor surprise.
  • Perfectly soft in the middle with a slight crisp on the edges.
  • Ready in under 30 minutes, from start to finish.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon swirl)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
6. In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup granulated sugar for the cinnamon swirl.
7. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
9. Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each cookie, creating a swirl pattern.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
11. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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