These are drop cookies, not rolled pinwheels. The dough is scooped into eighteen balls and flattened slightly, then a spoonful of cinnamon paste is spiralled over each one and swirled once with a toothpick.
They come out of the oven with set edges and soft centres, and once completely cool they get a spiral of powdered sugar and milk glaze.
How to Make It
Dry ingredients
Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt.
Dough
Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy; beat in the egg and vanilla, then mix in the dry ingredients.
Cinnamon paste
Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter into a thick paste.
Shaped and swirled
Scoop the dough into 18 balls and flatten slightly. Spoon a small spiral of cinnamon paste over each top and swirl once with a toothpick.
Baked
Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centres remain soft.
Glazed
Cool completely. Whisk the powdered sugar with the milk and pipe or drizzle a spiral over each cookie.
Ingredient Notes
- Cinnamon paste
- Brown sugar, a teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of melted butter.
- Vanilla glaze
- Powdered sugar and milk, thick enough to pipe.
- Baking powder
- Half a teaspoon for a soft, slightly raised cookie.
Why This Recipe Works
- A thick paste of brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter stays on top instead of sinking.
- Pulling them while the centres are soft keeps them tender.
- Glazing only after cooling keeps the white lines sharp.
- Flattening the balls slightly gives a surface wide enough for the spiral.
Success Tips
- Use a small spoon or piping bag for the cinnamon paste so the spiral stays neat.
- Swirl only once; more mixing muddies the pattern.
- Pipe the glaze from a bag with a small corner snipped off.
Serving Ideas
Serve on a platter glaze-side up once the glaze has set.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Store in a single layer in an airtight container once the glaze is dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these rolled like a cinnamon roll?
No. They are drop cookies with a cinnamon spiral spooned on top.
When should they come out of the oven?
After 10 to 12 minutes at 350°F, when the edges are set and the centres still soft.
