Name: 24 Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Creamy Surprise
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 34 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; ½ tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ¼ cup powdered sugar; ½ tsp vanilla extract; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 tbsp ground cinnamon; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1–2 tbsp milk; Dash of vanilla extract

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Oh my gosh, let me tell you about the first time I made these cinnamon roll cookies—it was pure magic! Picture this: my kitchen filled with the warm scent of cinnamon and vanilla, my nieces giggling as they watched me roll the dough balls in that heavenly cinnamon sugar coating. These aren’t just any cookies, friends. They’re soft-baked little clouds of joy with a surprise creamy cheesecake center that makes everyone’s eyes light up when they take that first bite.

I originally created this recipe one snowy December afternoon when I couldn’t decide between making cinnamon rolls or cheesecake. Why choose? The result was these irresistible cinnamon roll cookies that combine everything wonderful about both treats. The cookie base stays perfectly tender thanks to careful mixing (I’ll show you exactly how), while the cheesecake filling adds that luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth moment no one expects from a cookie. Trust me, these disappear faster than holiday chocolates!

Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Roll Cookies

These cookies aren’t just good—they’re “hide-the-last-one-from-your-family” good. Here’s why:

That magical texture: Soft-baked centers with slightly crisp cinnamon sugar edges—just like your favorite bakery cookie, but fresher!
The cheesecake surprise: That creamy little pocket in the middle makes every bite feel like opening a present.
Perfectly balanced flavors: Enough cinnamon to warm you up, but not so much it overpowers the sweet vanilla and tangy cream cheese.
Easier than actual cinnamon rolls: All the cozy vibes without the yeast, rising time, or rolling pin drama.
Holiday superstar: They make your house smell like Christmas morning and look gorgeous on cookie plates.

Seriously—one batch and these will become your new signature treat. I get recipe requests every time I bake them!

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these dreamy cookies—I’ve grouped them so you can check off each component as you go. Pro tip: set your butter and cream cheese out 30 minutes before starting—soft ingredients make all the difference!

For the Cookie Dough:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (not melted!)
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg (cold is fine—it’ll help the dough firm up)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (the good stuff—no imitation here)
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled to avoid dense cookies)
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

For the Cheesecake Filling:

8 oz (1 block) full-fat cream cheese, very soft (low-fat will make the filling runny)
¼ cup powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Coating & Glaze:

¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (I prefer Vietnamese cinnamon—so aromatic!)
½ cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
1-2 tablespoons milk (any kind)
Dash of vanilla extract (about ⅛ teaspoon)

See? Nothing too fancy—just quality ingredients treated right. Now let’s make some magic!

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Okay, let’s dive into the fun part—making these beauties! Don’t let the fancy look fool you; the process is actually super straightforward if you follow these steps. Just take your time with each stage—especially sealing those cheesecake pockets—and you’ll be golden.

Preparing the Cookie Dough

First, grab your softened butter and sugar. Cream them together for a full 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy—this creates those tiny air pockets that make the cookies tender. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing just until combined. Now gently fold in your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt) until just incorporated. Overmixing = tough cookies, and we don’t want that!

Making the Cheesecake Filling

While your dough chills for 10 minutes (trust me, it makes handling easier), beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until perfectly smooth—no lumps! I like to refrigerate this mixture for 15 minutes so it firms up slightly for easier filling.

Assembling and Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Now the fun begins! Scoop 1½ tablespoon dough balls, flatten slightly, and add ½ teaspoon cheesecake filling to the center. Carefully fold the dough around the filling, sealing completely (wet fingers help patch any cracks). Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mix—get them nice and coated! Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are golden but centers still look slightly underdone (they’ll set as they cool).

Adding the Glaze

Let cookies cool completely (the filling needs to set!). Then whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth—it should drizzle slowly off a spoon. Zigzag it over your cookies for that classic cinnamon roll look. Try not to eat them all at once!

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Want bakery-worthy results every time? Here are my hard-earned secrets:

Butter texture is key: It should leave a slight fingerprint when pressed—too soft and your cookies will spread.
Underbake slightly: Pull them out when edges are golden but centers look soft—they’ll firm up perfectly as they cool.
Chill the filling: 15 minutes in the fridge prevents oozing during baking.
Store smart: Keep in an airtight container with parchment between layers—they stay soft for 3 days (if they last that long!).
Freeze unbaked dough: Roll and coat balls, then freeze on a tray before bagging. Bake straight from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes.

Cinnamon Roll Cookies Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists to mix things up! My personal favorite? Adding a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar coating—it gives that extra warm spice kick. A teaspoon of lemon zest in the cheesecake filling makes it wonderfully bright and fresh. For a fall version, swap the vanilla glaze for maple syrup mixed with powdered sugar. If you’re feeling adventurous, fold a handful of chopped pecans into the dough for crunch. The possibilities are endless!

Storing and Reheating

These cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days—if they last that long! For longer storage, freeze them (unfrosted) in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll stay perfect for up to 2 months. Want that fresh-baked warmth? Pop frozen cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes—it’s like magic!

Cinnamon Roll Cookies FAQs

I’ve gotten so many questions about these cheesecake stuffed cookies over the years—here are the ones that come up most often!

Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! These bakery-style soft cookies freeze beautifully. Shape and coat the dough balls, then freeze them on a tray before transferring to a bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen—just add 2 extra minutes. Perfect for holiday cookie swaps!

What can I substitute for cream cheese?
Honestly? Nothing gives quite the same tangy richness, but in a pinch, mascarpone works (reduce powdered sugar slightly). Avoid yogurt or ricotta—they’ll make your cinnamon sugar cookies too wet.

Why did my cookies spread flat?
Oh no! Usually it’s one of three things: butter was too soft (should leave a slight fingerprint), oven wasn’t hot enough (use an oven thermometer!), or you skipped chilling the dough. Next time, pop the shaped cookies in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking—makes all the difference!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, these cinnamon roll cookies are definitely a treat—but everything in moderation, right? Each cookie comes in at about 240 calories, with 12g of fat (7g saturated) and 15g of sugar. These are estimates since ingredients can vary, but hey—that cheesecake center is worth every bite! Enjoy them with your favorite cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate cozy moment.

24 Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Creamy Surprise