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Donna R. Luis

Soft Cinnamon Ripple Cookies

Soft, buttery cinnamon cookies are folded through a brown sugar cinnamon ripple for swirls of warm spice and rich sweetness. With no chilling required, these cookies are easy to prepare and bake into tender, lightly golden treats with a distinctly cinnamon-filled finish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 34 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 1 cup 226 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg preferably at room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk preferably at room temperature
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups 375 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
Cinnamon Ripple
  • ½ cup 100 g light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon table salt
  • ¼ cup 57 g unsalted butter, very soft or barely melted

Equipment

  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Cookie scoop

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the baking sheets with parchment paper; set them aside.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until thoroughly combined.
  3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, then stir until everything is well incorporated.
  4. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and table salt until evenly combined.
  5. Make the Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until the ingredients are completely combined and a uniform cookie dough forms.
  6. Prepare the Cinnamon Ripple: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together.
    Add the very soft or barely melted butter and mix until the mixture forms a paste.
  7. Create the Ripple: Dollop several spoonfuls of the cinnamon paste over the cookie dough, then gently fold it in with a spatula.
    Avoid overmixing so distinct cinnamon ribbons remain visible throughout the dough.
  8. Portion the Dough: Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough into level 1 ½-tablespoon-sized scoops.
    If desired, gently roll each portion between your palms to form a smooth ball.
  9. Arrange the Cookies: Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between each one.
  10. Bake the Cookies: Transfer the baking sheets to the center rack of the preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 10–11 minutes.
  11. Cool Completely: Leave the baked cookies on the baking sheet until they have cooled completely before serving.

Notes

  • Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a cream of tartar substitute, use 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder in place of the 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar.
  • Keep the cinnamon ripple distinct by folding it gently into the dough rather than mixing it thoroughly.
  • The dough portions should be level 1 ½-tablespoon scoops for the stated yield of 34 cookies.
  • Leave at least 2 inches between cookie dough balls on the baking sheet to provide space during baking.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before enjoying or storing them.