This Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe uses pie crust, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to make crispy, flaky spiral cookies.

I’ll be honest — this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe didn’t start as some carefully planned baking idea. It started with leftovers. The kind of leftovers every baker has at some point: those awkward little scraps of pie dough sitting on the counter after you’ve trimmed the edges of a pie. You know what I mean, right? Too good to throw away… but not quite enough to make another pie.

For years, I’d just sprinkle a little sugar on those scraps and bake them while the pie finished cooking. My grandma used to do that too. She’d hand us those crispy little pieces while the real dessert cooled on the counter. It was the baker’s treat — the unofficial dessert before the dessert.

One afternoon I was making apple pie and ended up with more leftover dough than usual. Instead of baking random pieces, I rolled it out, brushed it with butter, dumped a very generous amount of cinnamon sugar on top (and when I say generous… I mean it), and rolled the whole thing up like a cinnamon roll.

I remember thinking, This might be a disaster… or maybe a genius idea.

Turns out? It leaned heavily toward genius.

When those little spirals came out of the oven, the smell alone was enough to pull everyone into the kitchen. Cinnamon, sugar, butter… the kind of smell that feels like fall, even if it’s actually July. My family started grabbing them straight off the tray before they even cooled properly.

And that’s how this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe stuck around in my kitchen. It’s simple, a little nostalgic, and honestly one of those recipes that feels like a tiny baking secret.

Why you’ll Love this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe?

There are a lot of cookie recipes out there, but this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe has a personality all its own. It’s not quite a traditional cookie and not quite a pastry either. Somewhere in between. And somehow that middle ground works beautifully.

One thing I love about these cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies is how effortless they are. No creaming butter and sugar. No chilling dough. No mixers. You’re basically rolling dough, sprinkling cinnamon sugar, and letting the oven do the rest. It’s the kind of recipe you make when you want something sweet without committing to a whole baking project.

The texture is what really sells it though. Because the base is pie crust, the cookies bake into these delicate, flaky layers that regular cookies just don’t have. The edges get lightly caramelized, the center stays tender, and the whole thing ends up tasting like a tiny cinnamon roll that decided to become a cookie instead.

And I’ll admit something — sometimes I actually buy pie crust just to make this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe. Originally it was a leftover-dough trick. Now it’s just something I crave.

Have you ever had a recipe like that? The “accidental favorite”?

Ingredient Notes

The beauty of this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe is that the ingredient list is short and sweet. But each ingredient still pulls its weight in the final flavor.

• Pie Crust – The pie crust forms the flaky base of the cookies. Store-bought crust works perfectly, which makes the recipe even easier. If you happen to have homemade pie dough lying around, though, it adds an extra buttery richness.
• Granulated Sugar – This provides sweetness and helps create that lightly crisp exterior once baked.
• Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds depth and a subtle caramel flavor. It’s what gives the cookies that slightly chewy, golden edge.
• Ground Cinnamon – Cinnamon brings the warmth. When it bakes with the sugar and butter, the aroma alone makes the kitchen smell like a bakery.
• Melted Butter – Butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the dough and adds a rich, slightly crisp finish to the cookies.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe?

Making this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe is surprisingly easy — almost suspiciously easy. It’s basically the lazy cousin of cinnamon rolls, but still somehow feels like a bakery treat.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and saves you from scrubbing caramelized sugar later.

Step 2: Roll Out the Pie Crust

Place the pie crust on a lightly floured surface and roll it into a thin rectangle. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Slightly uneven edges are totally fine — the cookies will still bake beautifully.

Honestly, rustic is kind of part of the charm here.

Step 3: Brush with Melted Butter

Using a pastry brush, spread melted butter across the entire surface of the dough. This is what allows the cinnamon sugar mixture to stick and creates those golden, crispy edges once baked.

Plus… butter is never a bad idea.

Step 4: Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Then sprinkle that mixture evenly across the buttered dough. If a little spills over the edges, that’s fine — those caramelized bits are actually the best part.

Step 5: Roll the Dough

Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log, similar to how you’d roll cinnamon rolls.

You’ll start seeing those spiral layers forming, which is always oddly satisfying.

Step 6: Slice the Cookies

Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 1-inch rounds. Each slice reveals those beautiful cinnamon spirals.

Place the slices onto the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the sugar begins to caramelize.

When they come out of the oven, the cookies will smell incredible. Let them cool completely so they crisp up properly.

Though I’ll admit… I rarely wait long enough.

Storage Options

One of the nice things about this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe is that the cookies hold their crisp texture surprisingly well.

Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They stay flaky and crunchy, which honestly surprised me the first time I made them.

If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the cookies for up to two months. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to eat them.

Though realistically? They rarely survive that long.

Variations & Substitutions

Another reason I love this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize.

• Add Nutmeg or Pumpkin Spice – Adding a small pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice creates a warmer flavor that feels very holiday-ready.
• Add Chopped Nuts – Finely chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled over the dough before rolling add extra crunch.
• Drizzle with Icing – A simple powdered sugar glaze can turn these cookies into something that feels a little more dessert-like.
• Add Chocolate – A light drizzle of melted chocolate makes them feel slightly more indulgent — and honestly pretty impressive for such a simple recipe.

What to Serve With Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies?

These cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies are simple, but they pair surprisingly well with cozy drinks.

• Coffee – Coffee and cinnamon are a classic pairing. The slight bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Tea – Chai tea works beautifully here because the spices complement the cinnamon.
• Ice Cream – Serve these cookies alongside vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert plate.
• Hot Chocolate – On colder days, these cookies with a mug of hot chocolate just feel right.

FAQ

Can I use homemade pie crust?

Absolutely. Homemade pie crust works beautifully in this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe and makes the cookies even more buttery.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, they store well for several days in an airtight container.

Why are my cookies soft instead of crisp?

They may simply need more cooling time. As they cool, the sugar firms up and gives the cookies that crisp texture.

If you ever find yourself with leftover pie dough and no idea what to do with it, this Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies Recipe might become your favorite kitchen trick too.

Simple ingredients. Warm cinnamon flavor. And cookies that disappear faster than you expect.

If you end up making them, I’m curious — did you start with leftover pie crust… or did you buy pie dough just to make these cookies?