If you’ve been craving a sweet treat that’s both simple and utterly delightful, you’re going to fall head over heels for this 4 Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies Recipe. These crunchy cinnamon cookies strike the perfect balance between buttery richness and warm, spicy sweetness, all with minimal fuss and pantry staples. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a newbie looking for a quick and rewarding project, this recipe will become your go-to for cookie cravings that pop with flavor and nostalgia.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These four humble ingredients come together in perfect harmony to create cookies that are crunchy, fragrant, and irresistibly tasty. Each component plays a critical role: flour builds structure, sugar adds sweetness, butter brings richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture, and cinnamon elevates everything with its cozy spice.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for your cookies, providing structure and a tender crumb – make sure to use the dip and sweep method for accuracy.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture; room temperature butter makes it easy to blend evenly into the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies perfectly while helping create that desirable crunch when baked.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the cookies with warmth and depth, the unmistakable spice that makes cinnamon cookies so iconic.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make 4 Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This simple prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, so you can lift them perfectly every time.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. Stir them together until they’re evenly mixed. Then add your ground cinnamon, merging its warm, spicy aroma throughout the dry mix for a balanced flavor in each bite.
Step 3: Incorporate the Butter
Add the room temperature butter, cut into cubes, to your dry ingredients. Now comes the fun part – knead everything together with your hands until the dough holds together smoothly. This step is where the magic happens, turning simple ingredients into cookie dough that’s ready to shape.
Step 4: Shape and Flatten the Cookies
Divide the dough into 22 equal pieces, roughly 25 grams each, then roll each into a ball. Press each ball down with the bottom of a glass or your palm, then gently use a fork to give it a pretty pattern if you want. This not only flattens them for even baking but makes your cookies charmingly rustic.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 14 to 18 minutes, keeping an eye on those edges until they turn a delightful light brown. This is the sweet spot for a crunch that will have you coming back for more.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Remove your cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. This resting time allows them to firm up and reach that signature crispness. Once cooled, move them to a wire rack to chill completely before storing or devouring!
How to Serve 4 Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies shine on their own, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate can elevate their look and flavor for special occasions. Toasted nuts sprinkled on top add a delightful crunch if you’re feeling adventurous.
Side Dishes
Pair them with a warm cup of tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. Their cinnamon-spiced crunch is an excellent companion to drinks that soothe or refresh, making your snack time feel like a little celebration.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them artistically on a platter with cinnamon sticks and orange slices for a festive touch. Slip a few cookies into a decorative jar or bag tied with a ribbon – they make wonderful homemade gifts that show you care with every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep your cinnamon cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Make sure they’re completely cooled before sealing to avoid moisture that can soften their perfect crunch.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Freeze your baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep wonderfully for up to three months, ready to thaw overnight in the fridge whenever a craving hits.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your cookies warm, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked feel and crunch, as if you just pulled them from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or skip adding any extra salt in your recipe. The salted butter will add saltiness, so this adjustment prevents overpowering the cinnamon flavor.
How can I make my cinnamon cookies softer?
Try adding a tablespoon of milk or an extra tablespoon of butter to the dough. Keep an eye on baking time and bake a little less to maintain a softer texture.
Can I substitute ground cinnamon with another spice?
You can experiment with ground nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice, but cinnamon is key to distinctive flavor in this recipe, so substitutions will alter the traditional taste.
Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling is required for this recipe, which is part of what makes the 4 Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies Recipe so quick and easy to prepare.
What if my dough is crumbly and not coming together?
Try gently warming the butter slightly or adding a little more butter, about one tablespoon, to help bind the dough better without making it too greasy.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about how just four simple ingredients can come together to create a delightfully crunchy, warmly spiced cookie that feels like a hug in every bite. I hope you give this 4 Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies Recipe a try—you might just find it becomes your favorite easy treat, perfect for sharing with friends, family, or savoring all by yourself.
Print4 Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies Recipe
These 4 Ingredient Easy Cinnamon Cookies are a simple and delicious treat featuring a crunchy texture with a warm cinnamon flavor. Made with just flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon, this recipe is perfect for a quick baking project that yields 22 delightful cookies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 22 cookies
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 280 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour (dip and sweep method)
- 105 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 185 g (¾ cup and 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar. Mix well to evenly distribute the sugar.
- Add Cinnamon: Add the ground cinnamon to the flour and sugar mixture. Stir thoroughly to blend the cinnamon evenly throughout the mixture.
- Add Butter and Form Dough: Incorporate the cubed, room-temperature unsalted butter into the dry mixture. Knead the mixture well until it forms a cohesive dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Divide the dough into 22 equal pieces, each about 25 grams (slightly more than 1 tablespoon). Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it evenly using a flat-bottomed glass, measuring cup, or the palm of your hand. Use a fork to add texture and finalize the cookie shape.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 14 to 18 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on it for 10 minutes. Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, which will ensure they become crunchy as they cool.
- Store Properly: Once fully cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- You can refer to the dip and sweep method for measuring flour correctly if you use cup measurements.
- If the dough does not come together easily, try adding an extra tablespoon of butter. For a richer, buttery shortbread, you may increase butter to 225 grams (1 cup).
- For lighter cinnamon flavor, reduce ground cinnamon to 1½ teaspoons instead of 2 teaspoons.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for up to three months. Thaw frozen cookies overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Calorie information is an estimate from an online nutrition calculator.
