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Home » World Cuisine

Zimtschnecken Kekse - German Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Dated: November 8, 2023 . Modified: Nov 8, 2023 by Kate Hahnel

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You will love every bite of these chewy, buttery, and delicious German cinnamon roll cookies (Zimtschnecken Kekse). These cookies only need a handful of ingredients, and require no special skills to make.

German cinnamon roll cookies on a blue plate.

why you will love these cookies

  • buttery and delicious.
  • perfect for the holidays and your weekend baking.
  • easy and straightforward recipe.

what are Zimtschnecken Kekse?

German Zimtschnecken Kekse ingredients.

Zimtschnecken Kekse ( or Plätzchen) are German cinnamon rolled cookies, whose name literally translates to cinnamon snails. They are made to capture the flavors of cinnamon rolls, but, in a cookie form.

They typically include flour, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, butter, eggs and cinnamon as ingredients. Unlike their American counterparts they tend not to have a sweet glaze or icing on top, similar to the frosting on a cinnamon roll.

how to make the cookies

This recipe can be made in one session, but I find making it the day before and chilling the dough overnight easiest.

German cinnamon roll cookies ingredients.

We start by combining flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. We then add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter, and soft cheese. Use your hands to knead the dough until its well combined, taking care not to overwork it.

Rolled out dough for making German Zimtschnecken Plätzchen (cookies).

So you don't incorporate too much flour and affect the taste and texture of the cookies, roll the dough between two pieces of parchment paper.

We then want to gently and evenly roll from the center towards the edges. This technique helps maintain the dough's integrity and helps avoid getting cracks in the dough when rolling.

Topping the cookie dough for this recipe with cinnamon sugar.

Brush the dough with melted butter. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl, and evenly distribute this on top of the dough.

Next comes the fun part! Tightly roll the dough along the long side to a log. Wrap it in plastic wrap (clingfilm) and chill it in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Chilling helps the dough keep its shape and makes cutting it easier.

German Zimtschnecken cookies on a baking tray

Next, preheat your oven. Cut dough into small slices, (each about ½ cm or ¼ inch thick). You are then going to line your baking sheet, and place the cookies on top, leaving enough space between them as they will expand as they bake.

Bake until done then cool on a wirerack. Serve or store the cookies for later.

Related recipes: For other delicious cookie recipes, how about trying this chocolate chip sugar cookies next!

tips to help you nail this recipe

  • Make sure your butter and soft cheese are at room temperature. This ensures a smoother and more consistent dough texture.
  • Evenly spread the filling over the dough so each cookie gets the cinnamon flavor.
  • When cracks appear in your dough while rolling it out, gently press the cracked edges of the dough back together with your fingers. Alternatively, carefully smooth over the cracked area using your palm or a rolling pin to seal it.
A plate of cinnamon roll cookies.

refrigeration and freezing

Store your Zimtschnecken cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 weeks. The taste does, however, may deteriorate, as the cookies age.

For longer freshness, you can freeze them in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw the cookies at room temperature before serving.

If you need to store the cookie dough before baking, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen dough in the refrigerator before using.

German cinnamon roll cookies on a blue plate.

more cookie recipes

Try our other delicious cookie recipes!

  • Keto Crescent Cookies
  • Engelsaugen - German Thumbprint Cookies
  • Air fryer peanut butter cookies
  • Keto Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  • Keto Coconut Macaroons

Great job making these cookies! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below.

Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag and follow me @weeatatlast on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or our Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!

📖 Recipe

A plate of German cinnamon roll cookies.

Zimtschnecken Kekse - German Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Kate Hahnel
You will love every bite of these chewy, buttery, and delicious German cinnamon roll cookies (Zimtschnecken Kekse).
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 11 minutes mins
Refrigeration 3 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 41 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine European, German
Servings 40 cookies
Calories 50 kcal

Equipment

Mixing bowl
Mixing bowl
Parchment paper
Parchment paper
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

To make the dough

  • 200 g all-purpose flour (or 1⅔ cups) plus some more flour, for kneading
  • 100 g sugar (or ½ cup)
  • pinch of salt
  • an egg yolk (use a medium-sized egg)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 60 g room-temperature butter (¼ cup)
  • 60 g soft cheese (¼ cup)

For the filling

  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions
 

  • Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, butter, and soft cheese. Use your hands to knead, until the dough is well soft and well combined.
    German cinnamon roll cookies ingredients.
  • Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll it into a rectangle, about 18cm in width x 30 cm for the longest side. This is approximately 7x11 inches.
    Rolled out dough for making German Zimtschnecken Plätzchen (cookies).
  • Make the filling by mixing cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Brush the dough with melted butter and spread the cinnamon sugar on top.
    Topping the cookie dough for this recipe with cinnamon sugar.
  • Tightly roll the dough along the long side into a log. Wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
  • Preheat the oven at 180°C (356°F). Remove the plastic wrap, and slice the dough into small pieces (each about ½ cm or ¼ inch thick).
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the cookies on the baking sheet. Leave enough space (about 2.5 cm or 1 inch) between them.
    German Zimtschnecken cookies on a baking tray
  • Bake for 10-11 minutes, remove from the oven, and allow to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool further.
  • Serve or keep in airtight cookie jars for later.

Nutrition

Calories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 18mgPotassium: 10mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 71IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.Pin this recipe on Pinterest or tag me out on socials @weeatatlast. I love seeing your creations.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paula

    February 12, 2024 at 10:01 am

    Nice recipe, For coffee🤤 i will try to make them today

    Reply
    • Kate Hahnel

      February 15, 2024 at 11:26 am

      Thanks! Have fun making them!!

      Reply
    • Kate Hahnel

      February 20, 2024 at 9:09 am

      I absolutely love them! Let me know how they turned out!

      Reply
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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