Gingerbread Hanukkah Cinnamon Roll

Featured in: Homestyle Baking

These soft, spiced cookies bring together classic gingerbread flavors and a cinnamon roll swirl, making them a festive delight for Hanukkah gatherings. Brown sugar and molasses create rich depth, complemented by aromatic ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The dough is rolled, filled with a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture, sliced, and baked until golden. A simple vanilla glaze adds a finishing touch. Prep is straightforward, with chilling for perfect slices. Enjoy warm spices and tender texture for holiday baking, and consider topping with blue and white sprinkles for extra Hanukkah flair.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:40:00 GMT
Soft Gingerbread Hanukkah Cinnamon Roll Cookies drizzled with sweet vanilla glaze.  Save
Soft Gingerbread Hanukkah Cinnamon Roll Cookies drizzled with sweet vanilla glaze. | forkina.com

Soft, spiced cookies inspired by gingerbread and cinnamon rolls, perfect for Hanukkah celebrations. These festive treats combine warm spices and a swirl of cinnamon-sugar for a delightful holiday cookie.

One Hanukkah, I surprised my family with a batch of these cinnamon roll cookies and their delighted faces made every minute of preparation worth it.

Ingredients

  • Cookie Dough: 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter (softened), 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar (packed), 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 1/3 cup (80 ml) unsulphured molasses, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon Filling: 3 tbsp (40 g) unsalted butter (melted), 1/3 cup (65 g) brown sugar (packed), 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Glaze: 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, cream softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Combine Wet Ingredients:
Beat in molasses, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
Form Dough:
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
Shape Dough:
Divide dough in half. Roll each half between parchment paper into a 9x7-inch rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick).
Prepare Filling:
Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Spread half the filling over each rectangle of dough.
Roll Cookies:
Starting from the long side, carefully roll up each rectangle into a tight log. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes until firm.
Bake Cookies:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice logs into 1/2-inch thick rounds and place 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges set. Cool 5 minutes on pan, then transfer to wire rack.
Glaze and Serve:
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
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These cookies quickly disappeared at our Hanukkah celebration and became a new family favorite for the holiday season.

Required Tools

Hand or stand mixer, mixing bowls, rolling pin, parchment paper, baking sheet, sharp knife, wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and milk (dairy). If using decorative sprinkles, check for gluten or allergen contamination.

Nutritional Information

Each cookie contains approximately 130 calories, 4.5 g of fat, 22 g carbohydrates, and 1.5 g protein.

Festively spiced Gingerbread Hanukkah Cinnamon Roll Cookies ready to delight your holiday guests.  Pin it
Festively spiced Gingerbread Hanukkah Cinnamon Roll Cookies ready to delight your holiday guests. | forkina.com

Enjoy these spiced cookies with tea or coffee for a cozy holiday treat everyone will love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare the dough ahead?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough overnight for easier handling and enhanced flavor.

What gives these cookies their Hanukkah vibe?

Festive touches like blue and white sugar crystals evoke Hanukkah traditions and celebration.

How do I get the perfect swirl?

Roll the dough tightly after spreading the cinnamon mixture to achieve a neat, pronounced swirl in each cookie.

Are there ways to make them heartier?

Substitute whole wheat flour for part or all of the all-purpose flour to add texture and wholesome flavor.

What allergens should I watch for?

These cookies contain wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy. Check decorative toppings for additional allergens.

Can the glaze be customized?

Yes, you can adjust the glaze's thickness by varying the milk and decorate with colored sprinkles or sugar.

Gingerbread Hanukkah Cinnamon Roll

Soft, spiced cookies with cinnamon swirl, infused with molasses for festive Hanukkah celebrations.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
42 Minutes

Category: Homestyle Baking

Difficulty: Medium

Cuisine: American-Jewish Fusion

Yield: 24 servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

01 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon ground ginger
03 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
04 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
06 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
10 1/4 cup granulated sugar
11 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses
12 1 large egg
13 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Filling

01 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
02 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
03 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Glaze

01 1 cup powdered sugar
02 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
03 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 01

Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 03

Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.

Step 04

Form the Dough: Gradually add the flour and spice mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough is achieved. Avoid overmixing.

Step 05

Divide and Roll Dough: Divide the dough in half. Roll each portion between two sheets of parchment paper into a 9 by 7 inch rectangle, maintaining an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.

Step 06

Prepare Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, blend the melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until smooth. Evenly spread half of this mixture over each rectangle of dough.

Step 07

Shape Logs and Chill: Starting from a long edge, tightly roll up each dough rectangle into a log. Wrap each in parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes until firm.

Step 08

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with fresh parchment paper.

Step 09

Slice Cookies and Arrange: Using a sharp knife, slice each log into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Place rounds spaced 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 10

Bake and Cool: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 11

Prepare and Apply Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies for decorative finishing.

Tools You'll Need

  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin
  • Parchment paper
  • Baking sheet
  • Sharp knife
  • Wire rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, dairy. Verify sprinkles for gluten or cross-contamination if using decorative toppings.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 130
  • Total Fat: 4.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 1.5 g