Cinnamon Roll Cookies -

Can you guess what inspired these Cinnamon Roll Shortbread Cookies just by looking at them? I bet it would take you at least a few tries...that is unless maybe you have a preschooler in the house. 

Play-Doh inspired these cookies! To be more specific it was bright green Play-Doh with some mashed in electric blue smears. I know, it doesn't sound appetizing at all but you never know what will preheat your creativity.

My son, CJ, loves to roll Play-Doh into logs then twist the logs into swirls. He sees snails. I see cinnamon rolls. Or are they called cinnamon buns? Either way, it's clear I always have baking on the brain!

Cinnamon Roll Shortbread Recipe 

You start with a basic shortbread dough. Cream together 1 stick of unsalted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. 

Stir in 1 and 1/3 cups flour until just combined. It will look a little grainy, that's OK. Mix in 1 tablespoon of milk to bring it all together. You want the mixture to look like Play-Doh. If it's a dry day, you may need to add a little bit more milk. 

Scoop your dough into tablespoon-sized portions. 

Now for the part CJ loves! Roll each portion into a log about 9-inches long. 

Twist each log into a spiral shape then place it onto an ungreased cookie sheet. 

I originally tried making these like real cinnamon rolls where you put the filling on a flat sheet of dough, then roll it all up at once. That made a mess...an ugly mess. #BakingFail

Here we add my favorite part, the cinnamon-sugar. Just mix 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl. Then, sprinkle the mixture over the cookies. 

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 10-12 minutes, just until they're set. 

Cool on the pan for two minutes then move the cookies to a wire rack. I love my Wilton Cookie Spatula for this. 

While your cookies cool, you can make the vanilla frosting drizzle. Beat two tablespoons of soft unsalted butter with 1/2 cup powdered sugar, two teaspoons of milk, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla, and a pinch of salt. 

Drizzle frosting onto each cookie. I popped a Wilton round #2 tip into a plastic sandwich bag then filled the bag with frosting to pipe precise lines. You could drizzle it on with a fork or spoon if you prefer. 

Doesn't that look hypnotizing? I can almost hear it calling, "Look into my swirls, come closer, you can't resist me." 

These are just so pretty. You can pack them in a cute box to make a sweet gift. 

And there you have cookies inspired by Play-Doh! What's the strangest thing that has ever inspired you in the kitchen? You can let me know in the comment section below the recipe.

I originally created this recipe for Parade’s Community Table.

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