There’s just something magical about a cookie that’s soft, sweet, and blanketed in cinnamon sugar. These Soft Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Puffs are everything you dream of during the cozy season—pillowy centers, domed tops, sparkly cinnamon crusts, and just the right amount of melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
They’re not your average cookie. Nope. These little puffs are like the cloud-like cousin of the snickerdoodle—thicker, softer, puffier, and totally dreamy with every bite. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just craving something comforting with your coffee, this is the recipe to bookmark forever.
Why These Cookie Puffs Are So Irresistible
Let’s be honest. We all have our cookie favorites. But when a cookie is so soft it practically melts as soon as it hits your tongue, it earns a place in your regular rotation.
Here’s why these are unbeatable:
- Thick and Puffy: Thanks to the perfect blend of leavening agents and butter ratio, these rise beautifully.
- Sparkly Cinnamon Coating: Every bite has that classic cinnamon-sugar crunch on the outside.
- Soft, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Interior: They’re baked just until barely done, giving them that gooey center.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your kitchen.
- No Complicated Steps: Just mix, roll, coat, and bake.
And did we mention they look gorgeous stacked up on a plate like soft sugar-dusted snowballs?
The Secret to That Soft, Puffy Texture
Texture is everything with these cookies. If you’ve ever bitten into a cookie expecting softness only to get something dry and crumbly… heartbreak.
The good news? This recipe is designed for maximum puff and softness.
Here’s the secret formula:
- Use room temperature butter – Not melted, not cold. This allows air to be beaten into the mixture for a lighter texture.
- The egg binds and softens – One large egg gives structure but keeps things tender.
- A balance of baking powder and baking soda – Baking powder gives rise, while baking soda adds that slight chew.
- Short baking time – You want to just bake them through. They should look slightly underbaked when they come out.
Perfect For Every Occasion – Especially the Holidays!
These cookie puffs are pure comfort, making them ideal for:
- Holiday dessert platters 🎄
- Cookie exchanges 🍪
- A cozy evening with hot cocoa ☕
- Last-minute guest treats
- Or just because… you deserve soft cookies on a Tuesday!
Their sparkly, cinnamon-dusted look makes them perfect for gift bags and seasonal boxes. Plus, the smell alone will make your kitchen feel like the North Pole.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s break down what you need to bring these puffy dreams to life.
Dry Ingredients Breakdown
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – This gives structure. Spoon and level it for accuracy.
- 1 tsp baking powder + ½ tsp baking soda – The dream team for rise and puff.
- ½ tsp salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Wet Ingredients Breakdown
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – You want it soft enough to beat, but not melty.
- 1 cup granulated sugar – Classic white sugar keeps these light and sweet.
- 1 large egg – Adds richness and helps hold everything together.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract – For that warm, cozy flavor that hugs your taste buds.
The Magical Coating
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
This coating adds crunch, sparkle, and that iconic cinnamon-sugar flavor. It’s what sets these puffs apart!
Step-by-Step Instructions (With Timing Tips!)
Let’s walk through each step to ensure your cookies come out perfect.
1. Whisk Dry Ingredients Together
In a medium bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside.
⏱️ Takes about 2 minutes.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat your softened butter and 1 cup sugar until it’s fluffy and pale. This is where air gets incorporated for that perfect puff.
⏱️ 3 minutes with a hand mixer on medium speed.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ Another 2 minutes.
4. Add Dry to Wet
Slowly add your dry mixture into the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Don’t overdo it—just mix until combined.
If the dough feels sticky, pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes. It helps with rolling later!
⏱️ Mixing takes about 2 minutes. Optional chilling adds 20 minutes.
Mixing the Dough Just Right
This isn’t the time for a workout. When combining wet and dry, go gentle.
Overmixing = tough cookies.
You want your dough to be soft, pliable, and not sticky. If it clings to your fingers, chilling is your friend. Letting it rest gives the flour time to hydrate, making the dough easier to handle and enhancing the puff.
Why Chilling the Dough Makes a Difference
Ever wonder why some cookies spread into sad pancakes? It’s usually because the dough was too warm.
Chilling helps in two ways:
- Prevents spreading – Cold dough holds its shape better.
- Enhances flavor – The rest time deepens the buttery notes and lets the vanilla bloom.
Even 20 minutes in the fridge can turn a good cookie into a great one.
Rolling the Perfect Cookie Puff Balls
This is the fun part! Roll your dough into 1½-tablespoon-sized balls. Think ping pong ball size.
Tips for perfect balls:
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform size.
- Roll them between your palms for a smooth surface.
- Keep the balls tall and round (don’t flatten them).
This ensures you get that signature dome like you see in the photo!
Cinnamon Sugar Coating – Don’t Skip It!
Mix your ½ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
Then, roll each dough ball until it’s fully coated. Don’t be shy—get generous with the coating. This creates that sweet, crunchy crust we all love.
Bonus: The coating gives your cookies that sparkle that makes them look bakery-level.
Baking to Perfection: Time and Temperature Tips
Place your cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Key signs they’re done:
- Tops are domed and crackly
- Edges are set
- Centers look slightly underdone (trust the process)
They’ll continue baking from residual heat after you pull them out.
Cooling: Let the Magic Happen Outside the Oven
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
This part is crucial. The steam inside finishes baking the centers while keeping them gooey-soft.
Then, transfer them to a wire rack. As they cool, the sugar crust sets, and the inside stays dreamy and tender.
Texture Talk: What to Expect When You Bite In
Get ready for that first bite—it’s the kind of cookie experience that makes you close your eyes and go “Mmmm.” The outside? Lightly crisp, thanks to the cinnamon-sugar coating. The inside? Soft, thick, and so pillowy it practically melts in your mouth.
Every cookie puff offers a contrast of textures:
- Crackly cinnamon sugar shell
- Tender, cake-like interior
- Moist center that stays soft for days
They’re slightly chewy at the edges, but soft enough that they almost feel like a tiny cinnamon-sugar cloud. And they hold their shape beautifully—no flat, spread-out cookies here.
Print
Soft Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Puffs
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert • Cookies • Holiday Baking
Description
✨ These little cinnamon-kissed puffs come out of the oven looking like warm, sugary clouds. Soft, thick, and gently domed, they melt on your tongue with that cozy sweetness that always reminds me of winter evenings when the whole kitchen smelled like comfort. 🍪❤️
Ingredients
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
⏱️ Duration: 2 minutesIn a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy.
⏱️ Duration: 3 minutesAdd the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
⏱️ Included in previous stepAdd the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms.
If the dough feels sticky, chill for 20 minutes.
⏱️ Duration: 2 minutes (+ optional 20 minutes chilling)Roll the dough into 1½-tablespoon balls, shaping them smooth and round for perfect puffy tops.
⏱️ Duration: 5 minutesMix the coating sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll each dough ball fully in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
⏱️ Duration: 2 minutesPlace the coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until domed, soft, and slightly underbaked in the center.
⏱️ Duration: 10–12 minutesLet cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
They will stay thick, soft, and beautifully puffy as they cool.
⏱️ Duration: 5 minutes
Notes
These Soft Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Puffs are the kind of treat that make the whole house feel warm and peaceful. Their fluffy centers and sparkly cinnamon coating bring back those cozy moments when the kids hovered by the oven, waiting for that first warm bite. If you’ve ever loved a cookie that tastes like a hug, this one might stir a memory or two.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20 cookies
- Calories: 140 kcal
Storage Tips: Keep Them Soft for Days
Good news: these cookies stay fresh and soft even after a few days—if they last that long!
Here’s how to store them:
- Airtight container: Keep cookies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature.
- Add a slice of bread: This old trick keeps them even softer. The cookies pull moisture from the bread, so the bread gets hard, and the cookies stay pillowy.
- Avoid the fridge: It dries them out. Room temp is perfect.
They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days, but the texture is best in the first 3.
You may also like :
Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Cinnamon Roll Apple Lasagna Recipe
Freezing Instructions for Later Enjoyment
Want to make these ahead of time or store extras for another day?
You’ve got two options:
Freeze the Dough Balls (Best Option)
- Roll and coat your dough balls in cinnamon sugar.
- Place on a baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
- Label and date them.
When ready to bake, no need to thaw—just bake straight from frozen. Add 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
Freeze the Baked Cookies
- Let them cool completely.
- Place a sheet of parchment between layers in a container.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
To enjoy again, thaw at room temp for 20–30 minutes. You can warm them in the microwave for a few seconds to get that fresh-baked softness back.
Fun Variations and Add-Ins to Try
Want to remix these puffs? You totally can! Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, try switching it up:
- Add a cream cheese filling: For a surprise gooey center.
- Stuff with chocolate chips: For a melty twist.
- Add a hint of nutmeg or cardamom: For extra spice depth.
- Drizzle with white chocolate or caramel: Fancy and delicious!
- Use brown sugar in place of white in the dough: Adds a deeper, molasses-y flavor.
The dough is forgiving and flexible, so feel free to get creative.
Serving Suggestions – What Pairs Perfectly?
These cookie puffs shine on their own, but they’re even better when paired with:
- Coffee or espresso – The cinnamon sugar and coffee bitterness = heaven.
- Hot cocoa – For a cozy, nostalgic combo.
- Chai tea – Spices + spices? YES please.
- Vanilla ice cream – Warm up a cookie and sandwich it with a scoop. Instant dessert win.
- Milk (of course) – Classic. Never fails.
They also look gorgeous on a holiday platter, especially when dusted with extra cinnamon sugar before serving.
How to Gift These Cookies (They Make Great Presents!)
Soft Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Puffs are perfect for gifting. They’re pretty, they stack well, and they taste like something from a boutique bakery.
Here’s how to wrap them:
- Cellophane treat bags with a ribbon – Add a tag for a personal touch.
- Holiday cookie tins – Stack them with parchment between layers.
- Mini bakery boxes – Add a sprig of rosemary or cinnamon stick for flair.
- Mason jars – Stack a few, tie a bow, done.
Pro tip: Include the recipe card so they can make them again (and think of you when they do).
Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Bake These Again and Again
There are cookies… and then there are cookie puffs. These little cinnamon-coated gems aren’t just a dessert—they’re an experience. A hug in cookie form. Sweet, soft, warm, and utterly satisfying.
They’re the kind of treat that people ask about. The kind you bake once and then get text messages begging for the recipe. The kind you make “just to test” and somehow, three are gone before they’re even cool.
So whether it’s the holidays, a rainy weekend, or just a regular ol’ Tuesday night, do yourself a favor and whip up a batch of these Soft Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Puffs.
You’ll be glad you did. 🍪❤️
Similar recipes :
3-Ingredient Apple Pie Dump Cake
Buttermilk Sour Cream Pound Cake with Southern Caramel Icing
FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead and chill for up to 48 hours, or freeze the dough balls for up to 2 months.
2. Why are my cookies flat?
Flat cookies usually mean the butter was too soft or the dough was too warm. Try chilling the dough longer next time.
3. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. The texture might be slightly different, but still delicious!
4. Can I reduce the sugar?
You can slightly reduce the sugar in the dough (try ¾ cup instead of 1 cup), but keep the coating the same for that sparkly crunch.
5. Do I have to coat them in cinnamon sugar?
Technically no, but it’s what makes these cookie puffs shine. Without it, they’re still soft and sweet, but miss that iconic flavor and texture.
