35-Minute Cinnamon Star Cookies That Will Mesmerize Your Taste Buds

Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these cinnamon star cookies! That first bite takes me right back to childhood Christmases when my mom would let me help roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar. The warm spice fills your whole kitchen while they bake – it’s pure magic! After years of tweaking, I’ve finally perfected the recipe to get that ideal crisp-yet-tender texture every time. What I love most? They come together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have. Trust me, once you taste these little spiced wonders, they’ll become your new go-to holiday cookie too!

Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Star Cookies

Let me tell you why these cookies will become your new obsession:

• They’re ridiculously easy to make – even my 8-year-old niece can help!
• The perfect balance of sweet and spicy – not too overpowering, just right
• That satisfying crunch when you bite into them? Absolute perfection
• Your whole house will smell like a cozy winter day while they bake
• They look fancy but take less effort than most holiday cookies

Seriously, what’s not to love? One batch and you’ll be hooked!

Ingredients for Cinnamon Star Cookies

Okay, let’s gather our cookie squad! Here’s what you’ll need – and yes, that butter must be softened (I leave mine out for about an hour beforehand). The cinnamon sugar coating is what makes these stars shine, so don’t skip that last bit!

• Dry Team: All-purpose flour (spooned & leveled!), cinnamon (the good stuff), baking powder (check your date!), and a pinch of salt
• Wet Crew: Unsalted butter (soft but not melty), granulated sugar, one large egg (room temp is best), and real vanilla extract
• Cinnamon Sugar Magic: Just 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon for that irresistible sparkly crust

Pro tip: I always measure my flour by spooning it into the cup rather than scooping – it makes all the difference in texture! If you’re looking for other spiced cookie ideas, check out these triple ginger snaps.

Essential Equipment

You won’t need anything fancy for these cookies – just the basics from your kitchen! Grab a large mixing bowl, baking sheets, parchment paper (lifesaver for easy cleanup), a hand mixer (or strong arms if you’re feeling ambitious), and a small bowl for that cinnamon sugar coating. That’s it – now you’re ready to bake!

How to Make Cinnamon Star Cookies

Alright, let’s get baking! These cookies come together so easily – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfect cinnamon stars in no time. The secret is in the mixing and not overbaking them. Watch carefully toward the end!

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

First, whisk together all your dry ingredients in a bowl – that’s the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Now grab another bowl and cream that softened butter with sugar until it’s light and fluffy (about 2 minutes with a mixer). Add the egg and vanilla, mixing just until combined. Here’s my trick: gradually add the dry ingredients in 3 batches, mixing until just combined after each. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl when it’s ready!

Step 2: Shape and Coat the Cookies

Now for the fun part! Mix your extra sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough between your palms into perfect little balls. Roll each one in the cinnamon sugar until completely coated – don’t be shy! Place them about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet. Use the bottom of a glass to gently flatten each ball slightly (they’ll spread more in the oven).

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pop those beauties in your preheated oven and set your timer for 10 minutes. Check them – they should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center. If they need another minute or two, go for it, but watch closely! They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t wait until they look fully done in the oven. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack – this patience prevents cookie casualties! For more baking tips on achieving perfect texture, you might want to check out resources on baking science.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Star Cookies

After countless batches (and a few happy accidents!), I’ve learned these tricks that make all the difference:

• Soft cookie lovers: Pull them out at 9 minutes – they’ll firm up but stay slightly chewy
• Storage secret: Layer them between parchment in an airtight container to keep that crunch
• Freeze like a pro: Roll unbaked dough balls and freeze on a tray before bagging – bake straight from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes
• Extra sparkle: For holiday dazzle, roll the warm cookies in more cinnamon sugar right after baking

Trust me, these little tweaks take your cookies from good to “Can I have the recipe?!” If you enjoy spiced cookies, you might also like these classic snickerdoodles.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

These cinnamon stars stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week – if they last that long! For longer storage, you’ve got options: freeze baked cookies in layers separated by parchment for up to 3 months, or stash the unbaked dough balls in freezer bags. Either way, they’ll taste just-baked when you’re ready for them!

Cinnamon Star Cookies Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re enjoying (no judgment here!), each cinnamon star cookie comes in at about 120 calories. They’ve got 8g sugar (that’s that sweet sparkle!) and 6g fat from all that glorious butter. And hey – these numbers are estimates, because let’s be real, who stops at just one perfect little cookie?

FAQs About Cinnamon Star Cookies

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Oh honey, don’t do it! Real butter gives these cookies their perfect texture and rich flavor. Margarine can make them spread too much and lose that lovely crispness. I learned this the hard way when I tried it during the Great Butter Shortage of ’18 – never again!

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Aha! Three quick fixes: 1) Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, 2) Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm, and 3) Don’t skip the baking powder measure – it helps them stay puffy!

Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe doubles beautifully (I do it every holiday season). Just make sure your mixer bowl is big enough – I once sent flour flying everywhere when I got overzealous. Pro tip: mix in two batches if your equipment isn’t giant-sized. If you’re doubling up, you might need more cookie mix in a jar ideas for gifting!

Share Your Cinnamon Star Cookies

I’d love to see your cinnamon star creations! Snap a pic and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing these spiced beauties in other kitchens.

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