Soft Chewy Cinnamon Cookies Recipe

Quick and easy cinnamon cookies made at home with simple pantry ingredients and plenty of warm cinnamon. These cookies are soft and chewy inside with a crisp, crackly sugar-topped exterior.

This recipe is a family favorite that’s especially popular during the holidays—think Christmas and Thanksgiving. Simple to prepare and full of cinnamon flavor, they pair beautifully with coffee or a glass of milk.

If you love cinnamon desserts, add these cookies to your collection. They complement other cinnamon treats such as pancakes and muffins, and make a great gift or addition to any cookie platter.

Key ingredients for cinnamon crinkle cookies

• Butter – Unsalted and at room temperature for easy creaming and balanced flavor.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar creates the best texture and a crisp topping; avoid brown or powdered sugar for this recipe.
• Egg – Use a large egg at room temperature to help bind the dough and add moisture.
• Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor.
• Cinnamon – Fresh ground cinnamon gives the best aroma and potency.
• Flour – All-purpose flour produces the ideal cookie texture.
• Leavening – Baking powder is required for the right rise and cannot be swapped for baking soda in this formula.

Variations

• Cookie sandwiches – Sandwich two cookies together with a cinnamon icing or a simple glaze to make a delightful sandwich cookie.
• Oatmeal addition – Add 1/3 cup rolled oats to the dough for extra chew and texture.
• Apple bits – Fold in about 1 medium apple, finely chopped (around 1-inch pieces), for a soft, fruity twist.

How to make easy cinnamon cookies from scratch

1. Cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until just combined.
3. Whisk the dry ingredients—all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and baking powder—in a separate bowl.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until a soft cookie dough forms; use hands if needed to bring it together.
5. Chill the dough for about 45 minutes to 1 hour to make it easier to handle and to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
6. Form small dough balls and roll each ball in a cinnamon-sugar mixture so they are fully coated.
7. Arrange on a lined baking sheet with space between each cookie.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and tops are golden brown.
9. Cool on a rack to room temperature before serving.

Tips and techniques for cinnamon sugar cookies

• Bring all ingredients to room temperature so they combine smoothly and produce a consistent dough.
• Use unsalted butter to keep the cookie flavor balanced.
• Chill the dough for 45 minutes to 1 hour to reduce spread and make rolling easier.
• Stick with all-purpose flour for best texture; other flours will change the result.
• If you prefer a thicker cookie, don’t flatten the dough balls before baking.
• Baking powder is necessary for rise and texture; do not substitute baking soda.
• Granulated sugar is essential for the crunchy top; powdered sugar will not produce the same result.
• Butter yields the best flavor and texture compared with oils or margarine.
• Measure ingredients accurately for consistent results.
• Rolling the dough in cinnamon sugar is what creates the signature crackly, crispy top—don’t skip it.

I recommend lining your pans with a reliable nonstick baking sheet or parchment. These prevent sticking and make cleanup easy. Pre-cut, sturdy sheets can be lifted and moved without tearing, which helps when transferring hot trays.

Storage

• Room temperature – Store in a sealed cookie jar for up to 3 days to retain texture.
• Refrigerate – Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freeze – Uncoated cookie dough balls freeze well for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw briefly, roll in cinnamon sugar, then bake; you may need to add 2–3 minutes to the bake time if baking from partially frozen.
• Make ahead – Dough can be prepared 1–2 days in advance and chilled until ready to roll and bake.

More cookie recipes

• Molasses Cookies (Soft and Chewy)
• Classic Snickerdoodles
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe

Cinnamon Cookies Recipe

Abeer Rizvi

Quick and easy cinnamon cookies packed with cinnamon flavor. Soft and chewy inside, crisp on top.

4.71 from 27 ratings

Video

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Chill time 1 hr

Total Time 1 hr 25 mins

Course Cookies

Cuisine American

Servings 40 Cookies

Calories 78 kcal

An automated tool calculated the nutrition information; values are estimates and not guaranteed to be exact.