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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cookies

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Oct 19, 2019 · Modified: Apr 21, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cookies are firm, mildly sweet cookies adapted from Greek Easter cookies. They are an ideal dunking cookie, with a buttery, cinnamon flavor that goes with just about everything!

    For military care packages, easy ingredient adaptations can be made to make Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cookies desert safe.

    Twisted cookies topped with cinnamon sugar.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    I adapted Cinnamon Sugar Twists from a recipe for Greek Easter Cookies (Koulourakia). They are a firm cookie that is only mildly sweet but full of buttery flavor.

    Traditionally enjoyed with coffee, Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cookies are a munch-by-the-dozen type of cookie all on their own. The flavors are even better several days after baking.


    Four twisted cookies topped with cinnamon and large crystal sugar, on a green plate.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

    Instructions twisting the cookie dough: upsidedown "u", right over left for two twists.
    1. Whisk together the dry ingredients.
    2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients.
    3. Scoop 1 tablespoon dough balls and refrigerate about 10-15 minutes until easy to handle. Once the dough can be easily handled, knead a dough ball until smooth, then roll out  to form a 6” snake.
    4. Fold the snake into an upside down “u”. Working from the right side each time, twist the right dough over the left three times, pressing the ends together after the final twist.
    5.  Brush onto cookies twists with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake until cookies are golden brown

    Storage

    When completely cool, store at room temperature in airtight container or ziplock bag for 2-3 weeks.

    Twisted cinnamon cookies on a red plate.

    Tips

    • The original recipe calls for sprinkling the cookies with sesame seeds. Instead, I added cinnamon inside and cinnamon sugar outside. There is a very delicate orange taste from orange juice in the recipe. For a more pronounced orange flavor, I suggest adding 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
    • Cinnamon Sugar Twists can be baked with excellent results using desert-safe ingredients. Please note the desert-safe adaptations at the bottom of the recipe. The adaptations include substituting vegetable shortening for the butter and water for the orange juice.
    • Though Cinnamon Sugar Twists are very cute twisted cookies, I realize that they don’t make a major color splash in a care package. To remedy that, I wrapped my Cinnamon Sugar Twists in plastic wrap and then packaged them in colorful plastic party bags tied with ribbons. Color splash issue resolved.
    cookies in a cellophane bag tied with curling ribbon for gifting

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    Don't miss this Amish Cinnamon Bread recipe for an moist and delicious cinnamon quick bread that's great for snacking and gifting.

    Cinnamon Streusel Cookies taste like the crumb topping on a coffee cake! Buttery and delicious.

    Divinity Cookies are a copycat recipe for a crunchy cinnamon treat that was a Publix bakery favorite.

    Cinnamon Snowball Cookies are melt in your mouth treats, filled with the warmth of cinnamon spice. This version is nut free!

    Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cookies in a basket.

    Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!

    Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cookies on a blue plate

    Cinnamon Sugar Twist Cookies

    Firm, mildly sweet cookies adapted from Greek Easter cookies. They are an ideal dunking cookie, with a buttery, cinnamon flavor.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Greek
    Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Chill time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 28
    Calories: 95kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov
    Adapted From: "The Joy of Cookies" by Sharon Tyler Herbst

    Ingredients

    Cookies

    • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ cup butter room temperature
    • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 tablespoons orange juice
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Topping

    • 1 egg yolk
    • 1 tablespoon milk
    • 4 tablespoons sugar I used turbanado for large crystals and brown color,
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Lower mixer speed and add egg, orange juice, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly between additions.
    • Slowly add dry ingredients until combined.
    • Using small scoop ( 1 tablespoon size) or tablespoon, scoop dough and place balls on a plate. Refrigerate about 10-15 minutes until easy to handle.
    • To form cookie: Mush a ball a few times in your hand to make dough smooth, then roll out on counter to look like a 6” long pencil. (Channel your playdough snake making days.) Gently fold dough snake into an upside down “u”. Working from the right side each time, twist the right dough over the left three times, pressing the ends together after the final twist.
    • Gently move formed twists onto prepared baking sheet, placing 1” apart.
    • Mix together egg and milk/water glaze. Brush onto cookies.
    • Mix together cinnamon-sugar and sprinkle over egg glaze.
    • Bake for 11-13 minutes until cookie (not just glaze) is golden brown. Cool on wire racks.
    • When completely cool, store at room temperature in airtight container or ziplock bag for 2-3 weeks.

    Notes

    Desert-safe adaptations: Use vegetable shortening instead of butter. Substitute water for orange juice. If you want orange flavor, instead of the 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, use ½ teaspoon orange flavoring (essence) and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract.
    Packing tips
    With bottoms together, wrap pairs of cookies in double plastic wrap then place in airtight containers or ziplock bags for mailing. For decorative purposes only, colorful party bags tightly closed with ribbon or twist ties can be used.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

    First Published: May 10, 2013. Last Updated: November 15, 2022. Updated for additional information, improved photos, and better reader experience.

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    Comments

    1. saltandserenity

      October 21, 2019 at 7:10 am

      While I love a cookie loaded with chocolate and nuts, a quiet, simple cookie, like these, is really a thing to be appreciated. These would be perfect to help with a late afternoon energy slump.
      Congrats on 7+ years of blogging. As a 10+ year veteran, I appreciate how challenging it is to consistently blog, weeek after week. You are a bright spot in this crowded place we call the web!

      Reply
    2. Barb Norton

      December 07, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      Hi. My late aunt, Lucy Rubin, was pretty much family famous for these cookies.. I lost the recipe, now I have found it. Thank you❤️ I love these cookies.. when I was a kid I remember thinking I was eating a grown ups cookie. they are not a sweet kid cookie.. they are almost like a biscotti but only once baked.. perfect to give, yes! Love your blog concept. All the very best to you.. food gifts rock!!! I have to remind my daughter about this recipe.. she is foodnerdextreme on Instagram.... flour will be flying in my kitchen soon. Thanks again.

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        December 07, 2016 at 7:50 pm

        Hi, Barb! I hope that these cookies will live up to your cherished cookie memories! Your description certainly sounds like this recipe. Thank you for sharing about your late aunt Lucy and her famous cookies! I will be sure to check out you daughter on Instagram. 🙂 I totally agree, food gifts rock! 🙂

        Reply
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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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