Holiday Glow Cinnamon Drift (Print Version)

Buttery sugar treats with cinnamon warmth and tender centers, great for festive gatherings and cozy moments.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Sugar Coating

09 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

# Step-by-step Instructions:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
02 - Using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
05 - Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - Combine sugar and cinnamon for coating in a small bowl.
08 - Roll chilled dough into 1-inch diameter balls, then roll each ball in cinnamon sugar. Arrange the balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
09 - Gently flatten each ball using the bottom of a glass to create even thickness.
10 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges become lightly golden.
11 - Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're buttery and simple without feeling boring—the cinnamon sugar coating does all the heavy lifting.
  • The dough is forgiving even when you're juggling holiday chaos and haven't measured carefully.
  • Everyone assumes you fussed for hours, but you barely need thirty minutes of active work.
02 -
  • Room temperature butter is non-negotiable—cold butter won't cream, and it's the difference between cookies that crumble and cookies that are dense.
  • Cinnamon clumps easily; make sure your dry mixture is smooth before adding the wet ingredients, or you'll bite into pockets of pure spice.
  • The glass bottom should be cool, not warm, or it'll stick to the dough and the cookies won't flatten evenly.
03 -
  • Use a cookie scoop to roll dough balls the same size—they'll bake evenly and look intentional on a platter.
  • If your cookies spread too thin, your butter was too warm or your dough wasn't cold enough; chill next time before baking.
  • A pinch of vanilla in the cinnamon sugar coating (just a drop rubbed into the sugar) deepens the flavor without adding moisture.

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