Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
If you’ve ever craved the cozy comfort of classic coffee cake, but wished you could enjoy it in a delightful little package, Coffee Cake Cookies are the answer to your dessert dreams. These cookies blend the irresistible cinnamon-sugar swirl, crumbly streusel topping, and vanilla glaze of your favorite breakfast treat—all layered atop a soft, thick cookie base. Perfect with a cup of coffee or for sharing at brunch, these are pure nostalgia with a modern twist. Let’s dive in and make your kitchen smell heavenly!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of Coffee Cake Cookies lies in their simple, yet purposeful ingredients. Every element is chosen to bring about maximum flavor, texture, and that signature coffee cake vibe. Get familiar with these kitchen staples, since each one has a role to play in turning out cloud-soft cookies with a perfectly spiced crunch!
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of both the cookie dough and the crumbly streusel, providing substance and structure.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds rich molasses depth and moisture to both the streusel and cookie base.
- Cinnamon: Delivers the warm, classic flavor that reminds you instantly of a slice of bakery-style coffee cake.
- Pinch of salt: A little salt balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors; don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter, softened: Essential for the streusel, bringing richness and that decadent crumb.
- Cake flour: Makes the cookies extra tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft—totally worth having on hand!
- Cornstarch: This secret ingredient gives the cookies their thick, chewy texture.
- Baking soda & baking powder: The dynamic leavening duo for just the right lift and spread.
- Cold unsalted butter, cubed: Blends into the dough for unparalleled flakiness and flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and supports the cookie’s structure.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and makes everything taste more “bakery.”
- Large egg & extra egg yolk: Bring richness, structure, and a golden hue.
- Melted unsalted butter: Used in the icing for a luscious, smooth finish.
- Heavy cream or milk: Helps create a perfectly pipeable icing to drizzle over the cookies.
- Powdered sugar, sifted: For a smooth, flawless icing that won’t clump on your cookies.
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Filling
Start by mixing up the magic: in a medium bowl, combine your all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Work in the softened butter using your fingers until clumps form. This crumb topping is what transforms cookies into true Coffee Cake Cookies! Pop the streusel in the fridge so it stays cold while you move on.
Step 2: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Sheets
Next, preheat your oven to 400°F. This high heat lets the cookies set quickly for that soft, thick result. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats—this not only prevents sticking but also helps cookies bake more evenly. Set them aside, ready for your dough balls.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Combining all these dry ingredients in advance guarantees an even mix and avoids any over-mixing later, which means your Coffee Cake Cookies will stay tender.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars
With your mixer bowl ready, add the cubed cold butter along with brown and granulated sugars. Using the paddle attachment, cream them together until smooth and slightly fluffy; this takes about 1-2 minutes. This process traps air in the dough, giving your cookies extra lift.
Step 5: Add Egg, Yolk, and Vanilla
Toss in the whole egg, yolk, and a generous splash of vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. It’s the little bit of extra yolk that gives the dough richness—one of the touches that sets these cookies apart!
Step 6: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add in your flour mixture, about a quarter cup at a time, mixing gently until everything’s just incorporated. The dough will be soft and thick—exactly what you’re aiming for to hold that delicious streusel filling.
Step 7: Shape the Dough
Use a cookie scoop to portion out your dough into balls—about eight jumbo cookies or 22–24 smaller cookies. Place them on your prepped baking sheets, leaving space between each for a little spreading.
Step 8: Make Indents for the Streusel
Now for the signature step: gently press an indent into each dough ball using your thumb or the end of a spoon. If the dough’s sticky, dust your tool in flour first. This creates a cozy nest for the streusel to sit in while baking—don’t skip it, or you’ll miss out on the Coffee Cake Cookies’ best feature!
Step 9: Fill, Bake, and Perfect the Shape
Spoon about one tablespoon of the chilled streusel filling into each indentation. Pop the cookies into the oven and bake for 8–11 minutes, until the edges look set and lightly golden. For bakery-level perfection, as soon as the cookies come out, quickly use a round cookie cutter or glass to swirl and “scoot” them into perfectly round shapes. This is optional but fun!
Step 10: Cool the Cookies
Let your cookies rest on the sheet for about five minutes—this helps them finish setting up—then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. They’re going to smell absolutely amazing!
Step 11: Make and Drizzle the Icing
Whisk together melted butter, heavy cream or milk, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and drizzly. Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle that glorious icing over the tops and let it set for a few minutes—if you can wait!
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies
Garnishes
Add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon or powdered sugar right before serving for instant visual appeal. A quick dusting is all it takes to make these look like they came straight from a bakery window. Or, add a few curls of white chocolate or a zigzag of extra glaze if you want to get playful.
Side Dishes
Coffee Cake Cookies pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee, of course! But they’re also terrific with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or even alongside a cool glass of milk. For brunch, serve them with fruit salad or a yogurt parfait for that sweet-and-creamy contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting, stack Coffee Cake Cookies in a rustic bakery box with parchment paper and tie with a ribbon. For gatherings, arrange them on a tiered stand for showstopping effect. Or make a “cookie sandwich” with a little extra icing in the center for an indulgent treat—perfect for parties or special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Coffee Cake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They stay soft and delicious, although the streusel may soften slightly. A layer of parchment between cookies will keep the drizzle pristine and prevent sticking.
Freezing
To freeze, let cookies cool fully and lay them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or bag. Add parchment between layers. They’ll stay fresh for up to two months! You can also freeze unbaked, filled cookie dough balls—the ultimate make-ahead move for spontaneous cravings.
Reheating
If you prefer your Coffee Cake Cookies warm, pop them (unglazed if possible) in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes, or microwave a single cookie for 10–15 seconds. This perks up the crumb, making them taste fresh-from-the-oven whenever you want.
FAQs
Can I double the streusel for extra crumb topping?
Absolutely! If you’re a crumb lover, simply double the streusel ingredients and pack a little more into each cookie. Extra streusel makes them even more decadent and bakery-worthy.
Can Coffee Cake Cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, just swap a trusted 1:1 gluten-free flour for both the all-purpose and cake flour. The texture will be slightly different but no less delicious—be sure to check the final dough for consistency and add a splash of milk if needed.
What if I don’t have cake flour?
No cake flour? No problem! For each cup of cake flour, place 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a measuring cup and fill the rest with all-purpose flour. Whisk well before using for a homemade version with similar tenderness.
Why do I need both brown and granulated sugars?
The blend provides depth, moisture, and just the right amount of sweetness. Brown sugar brings chewiness and that classic coffee cake flavor, while granulated sugar offers crisp edges and lightness.
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
You sure can! The dough stores perfectly in the fridge (shaped or unshaped) for up to 24 hours. Just let it rest at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before scooping and baking for optimal results.
Final Thoughts
If you love the nostalgia of coffee cake but want something you can grab on the go or share with a friend, give these Coffee Cake Cookies a try. They’re a celebration of cozy flavors in portable cookie form, and I promise they’ll have everyone begging for the recipe. Happy baking!
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Coffee Cake Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the flavors of a classic coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie. These cookies feature a buttery cinnamon dough filled with a sweet streusel mixture and topped with a simple vanilla icing.
Ingredients
Streusel Filling:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 5 Tbsp. softened unsalted butter
Coffee Cake Cookies:
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 cup cake flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 8 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp. heavy cream or milk
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the streusel filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Work in the softened butter until small clumps form. Refrigerate.
- Preheat the oven: To 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a stand mixer, cream the cubed butter and sugars until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing well.
- Form cookie dough: Scoop and roll dough into balls and place on baking sheets.
- Add streusel filling: Make an indent in each cookie and spoon the filling inside.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes until set and golden.
- Optional step for shape: Use a cookie cutter to smooth out edges while cookies are hot.
- Cool and ice: Let the cookies rest, then drizzle with icing before serving.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough before baking for a firmer cookie.
- Adjust the sweetness of the filling and icing to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Coffee Cake Cookies, Coffee Cake Cookie Recipe, Cinnamon Streusel Cookies
