Robby's Baking Therapy

Show the original author some 💖💖💖 Betty Crocker

  The “baking therapy” discussed on this blog refers to my personal experience using baking as a self-help and relaxation tool.”

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Hey, everybirdy! Today is another easy recipe that’s all about stretching what you have. We are making Pie Crust Cinnamon Roll Cookies. We’ve made pie crust cookies before, but today we’re using up some leftover cream cheese frosting from our chocolate cake bake.

Making your own pie crust is so simple that once you learn how, you’ll rarely go back to the store-bought versions. It’s the ultimate “pantry scavenger” treat!

📋 Baking Therapy: Flakiness & Focus

There is something uniquely calming about the process of making pastry. Cutting shortening into flour until it looks like small peas requires your full attention, which is a great way to quiet a busy mind. When you roll out that dough and watch it transform into little cinnamon-swirled bites, it’s a wonderful reminder that even small accomplishments—like making a good cookie—are worth celebrating.

💡 Robby’s Quick Tips

• The Freezer Shortcut: While most recipes tell you to refrigerate dough for 45 minutes, you can put it in the freezer for just 10 to 15 minutes to get it cold and flaky fast.
• Sugar Safety: Be careful—the sugar can make the oven a bit smokey! I’ve actually set off the fire alarm twice making these, not because they were burnt, but because of the sugar smoke. Keep an eye on them!
• The 6-Minute Rule: Trust me on the 6-minute bake time. You want them just set; any longer and they’ll lose that perfect texture.
• Cinnamon-Sugar Ratio: When mixing your topping, always use a bit more sugar than cinnamon for the best flavor balance.

🛒 The Essentials (What You’ll Need)

• Cost per Batch: ~$1.22 (Includes flour, shortening, salt, butter, sugar, and cinnamon)
• Cost per Serving: ~$0.08 per cookie
• 2 Cups (250g) All-Purpose Flour (I use Great Value, which is about $2.38 for a 5lb bag)
• 2/3 Cup (151g) Shortening or Butter (Shortening is about $6.18 for 48oz)
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• Ice Cold Water (Add 1 tablespoon at a time)
• Butter (For the filling)
• Cinnamon & Sugar (For the filling)
• Leftover Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional, for the top)

Visit my Patreon for a free post featuring the full Walmart price breakdown for this budget-friendly bake!

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Mix Dry: In a medium bowl, combine your flour and salt.
3. Cut In: Use a pastry blender or fork to cut in the shortening until the mixture looks like small peas.
4. Moisten: Sprinkle in cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing until the flour is moistened and comes together.
5. Chill: Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and pop it in the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
6. Roll: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out thin.
7. Fill: Spread your butter over the dough and sprinkle generously with your cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Shape: Roll the dough up and slice into small cookies (just eyeball the size!).
9. Bake: Place on a sheet and bake for exactly 6 minutes.
10. Frost: Let them cool completely before adding your leftover cream cheese frosting.

💬 Q&R: Questions & Robby

Q: Can I use butter instead of shortening?

Robby: Yes! I’ve used both and like them both, but a butter crust will generally be even flakier.

Q: Why do they need to be so small?

Robby: Since they are made of pie crust, they are very rich! Making them small makes them the perfect bite-sized treat.

💬 Join the Conversation

When everyone in the house starts sneaking these cookies off the cooling rack, you know you’ve done something right!

• Leftover Magic: Do you have any favorite ways to use up leftover frosting?
• Alarm Bells: Have you ever set off a smoke detector while baking something that wasn’t actually burnt?

Final Thoughts

These cookies are proof that you don’t need much to make something special. Whether you’re using up pantry staples or leftovers from a previous bake, I hope you find this recipe as satisfying as I do.

Stay safe and enjoy every bite! Happy baking!