Name: Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

There’s something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house. It evokes memories of cozy afternoons spent in the kitchen with loved ones, where laughter mingles with the warm, sweet notes of vanilla and cinnamon. These Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies are a personal favorite of mine — a simple yet irresistible treat that captures the essence of home-cooked comfort. Whether it’s a rainy day or a festive gathering, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and warmth to your home.

Why You’ll Love This Cookie Recipe
The Recipe
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
The Benefits of Each Ingredient
What to Serve With These Cookies
Storage & Leftover Tips

Quick and Easy: With just 15 minutes of prep time, these cookies are perfect for those spontaneous baking urges. The recipe is straightforward, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned bakers. You can whip them up on a whim for unexpected guests or just because you have a craving for something sweet.

Delightfully Flavored: The combination of brown sugar and cinnamon creates a rich, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the buttery base. Each bite offers a perfect balance of flavors that’s hard to resist. The cinnamon provides a warming spice that complements the deep molasses notes of the brown sugar, making every bite a delightful experience.

Perfect Texture: Achieving the ideal cookie texture is an art form, and these cookies deliver. They’re crisp on the edges and tender in the center, offering a delightful contrast in every bite. The secret is in the balance of ingredients, which ensures that the cookies are neither too hard nor too soft.

Family-Friendly: These cookies are a hit with kids and adults alike. They’re a wonderful way to bring the family together, whether it’s for baking or enjoying the finished product. Involve the kids in rolling the dough balls in sugar for a fun activity that adds a sweet crunch to the cookies.

Adaptable: You can easily customize these cookies by adding mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts. The basic recipe provides a versatile canvas for your creativity. Consider adding a handful of chopped pecans or white chocolate chips for a different twist on the classic recipe.

The Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Directions:

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect golden-brown color without the cookies sticking to the pan.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes on medium speed using an electric mixer. The key is to incorporate air into the mixture, which helps achieve that perfect cookie texture. The creaming process is essential because it affects how well the cookies rise and spread.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The egg adds richness, while the vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile. Make sure the egg is at room temperature to ensure better incorporation into the butter and sugar mixture.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This ensures that the leavening agent and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Sifting the dry ingredients can help prevent lumps and ensure a smoother dough.
Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent the cookies from becoming tough. The dough should be soft but not sticky, making it easy to handle.
Shape and Coat: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them in granulated sugar to coat. This adds a delightful crunch and a touch of sweetness to the exterior of the cookies. For an extra cinnamon kick, you can mix a bit of cinnamon into the sugar before rolling the dough balls.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This allows room for spreading during baking. Arrange them in staggered rows to maximize space and ensure they bake evenly.
Flatten the Dough: Using the bottom of a glass or your palm, gently flatten each dough ball. This helps them bake evenly. Pressing down just slightly will give the cookies a uniform appearance and helps control the spread.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. Keep a close eye on them, as overbaking can lead to overly crisp cookies. For softer cookies, aim to remove them from the oven just as the edges start to brown.
Cool and Enjoy: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and develop their final texture. Allowing them to cool slightly on the baking sheet also prevents them from crumbling when moved.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Calories per Cookie: 180 kcal | Servings: 24 cookies

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming the butter and sugar to the perfect fluffy consistency. A stand mixer can make this process even easier, leaving your hands free for other tasks.
Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a couple of these for separating and combining the wet and dry ingredients. Opt for large bowls to prevent spills while mixing.
Whisk: For evenly mixing dry ingredients. A sturdy whisk ensures all the baking soda and cinnamon are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Baking Sheet: A must-have for baking the cookies. Lining it with parchment paper helps with easy cleanup. Consider using a light-colored baking sheet to prevent the bottoms from browning too quickly.
Wire Cooling Rack: Allows for even cooling, which is crucial for cookies to set properly. Cooling racks help air circulate around the cookies, preventing sogginess.

The Benefits of Each Ingredient

Unsalted Butter: Provides a rich, creamy base and enhances the flavor of the cookies. Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt content precisely, which is important for achieving the perfect balance of flavors.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper flavor thanks to its molasses content, which contributes to the cookies’ chewy texture. The molasses in brown sugar also gives the cookies a beautiful golden color.
Egg: Acts as a binding agent and adds moisture, ensuring the cookies hold together while remaining soft. The protein in the egg helps with the structure of the cookie, giving it a cohesive texture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness and adds a subtle depth of flavor, making the cookies more aromatic. A high-quality vanilla extract can significantly boost the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie structure, providing the necessary gluten to hold them together. All-purpose flour is versatile and balances the cookies’ structure and tenderness.
Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise, resulting in a light texture. It reacts with the acid in the brown sugar to create bubbles, giving the cookies a soft lift.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. A small amount of salt can make the other flavors pop, preventing the cookies from tasting overly sweet.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the cookies. Cinnamon is not only aromatic but also brings an earthy warmth that pairs beautifully with the molasses in the brown sugar.
Granulated Sugar: Used for rolling, it gives the cookies a slightly crisp exterior. The sugar coating caramelizes slightly during baking, adding a subtle crunch and extra sweetness.

What to Serve With These Cookies

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies are a delightful treat on their own, but pairing them with a few complementary items can elevate your snack time:

Hot Beverages: These cookies are perfect with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. The warmth of the drink enhances the cinnamon flavor, making for a cozy experience. A spiced chai or an aromatic herbal tea can also complement the cookies beautifully.
Ice Cream: Serve these cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream for a delicious dessert. The cold, creamy texture of the ice cream contrasts wonderfully with the warm, spicy notes of the cookies.
Fruit Preserves: A dollop of apple or pear preserves can add a fruity contrast to the cookies’ spiciness. The tartness of the preserves complements the sweetness of the cookies, creating a balanced flavor profile.
Homemade Chai Latte: For a cozy afternoon treat, pair these cookies with a homemade chai latte. Check out our Chai Latte Recipe for a delightful pairing. The spices in the chai enhance the cinnamon in the cookies, creating a harmonious match.

A delicious plate of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies

Storage & Leftover Tips

To keep your Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies fresh and flavorful:

Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This preserves their texture and flavor. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
Freezing: To extend their shelf life, you can freeze the cookies. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them. This is a great option if you want to have cookies on hand for future cravings.
Dough Storage: If you want to prepare the dough ahead of time, you can refrigerate it for up to 48 hours. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before baking. Chilling the dough can enhance the flavor and improve the texture of the cookies by allowing the dough to firm up.
Cookie Variations: For a fun twist, try adding chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the dough. For more cookie inspiration, explore our Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe on homemaderecipe.blog. You can also experiment with different spices, such as nutmeg or cardamom, to add an extra layer of complexity to the flavor.

In conclusion, these Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter Cookies are a delightful addition to any cookie collection. With their rich flavors and comforting aroma, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh from the oven or savoring them with a warm drink, these cookies bring a touch of homey comfort to any occasion. Happy baking!