Day #1 of 12 Days of Christmas Cookies - Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Today is the first day of our 12 days of Christmas Cookies! Every Monday and Friday from now till December 25th I will feature one of my favourite Christmas Cookie recipes. I hope this inspires each and every one of you to get busy in the kitchen making something sweet for family and friends to enjoy. Make double batches and bring some in to work, wrap some up and give to neighbours as gifts or invite a good friend over, put the coffee on and enjoy good conversation.

The first recipe up is my cinnamon roll cookies, the perfect cookie to make in advance, freeze and thaw for unexpected guests. It also needs to be made in stages so it is perfect for quick baking. Enjoyed best with eggnog lattes!

First we are going to make the dough

Ingredients:

• 3 cups white flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. In large bowl mix together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

2. In large mixing bowl beat together butter and sugar till fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time then mix in vanilla.

3. Slowly add in flour mixture, scraping sides of bowl down every few minutes till dough ball forms.

4. Separate dough in 2 disks and wrap in plastic wrap. Cool in fridge overnight.

Now we are going to bake and make the filling & icing

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon

• 2 tbsp. melted butter

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp milk + more if needed

Directions:

1. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon and set aside.

2. On a lightly floured surface roll out each disk to about 1/4" thick and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon mixture over dough evenly.

3. Roll up dough, starting at shortest end, into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in freezer for about 15-20 minutes or till firm.

4. Preheat oven to 375

5. Using a sharp, floured knife slice logs into 3/4" thick cookies and place on greased cookie sheet.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or till the corners start to brown. Allow to cool completely on cooling rack.

7. While cooling mix together powdered sugar and milk to make the icing and drizzle over cooled cookies. Top with any remaining sugar and cinnamon.

Yield: 20-24 cookies

Time: 1 hour (hands on time)