If you are craving the comforting warmth of your favorite bakery treat but want it in a fun, handheld form, this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies capture all the tender, cinnamon-spiced goodness of classic coffee cake combined with a delicate crumbly streusel topping that melts in your mouth. They are soft yet sturdy, lightly crisp on the edges, and perfectly sweetened to pair beautifully with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Whether you’re baking for guests or indulging in a cozy day at home, this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe will quickly become your go-to for an irresistibly nostalgic dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated by the list—each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect texture and flavor balance. From the creamy butter that enriches every bite to the aromatic cinnamon that gives the cookies their signature warming spice, these pantry staples come together effortlessly.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and tender crumb without overpowering sweetness.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness while contributing to the light, fluffy texture.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup): Imparts a hint of molasses flavor and extra moisture for softness.
- Large eggs (2): Bind ingredients and help create structure.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances sweetness and adds depth to the flavor.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): The backbone of the dough, giving it shape and chewiness.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Leavens the cookies for a delicate rise.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works with the brown sugar to add lift and tenderness.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Contributes that warm, comforting spice essential to coffee cake.
- Streusel topping ingredients: Flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter combine to create a crumbly, buttery topping that adds irresistible texture.
- Optional glaze ingredients: Powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to drizzle a sweet finish that mimics the classic coffee cake glaze.
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help with easy clean-up. Having every ingredient measured and ready will make the process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a spacious mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is the secret behind tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are full of richness and just the right amount of sweetness.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure even mixing, then stir in the fragrant vanilla extract. These add moisture and flavor layers, making the cookies soft and aromatic.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spice, which will guarantee a consistent texture and flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your dry ingredients into the butter-sugar-egg mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just enough to bring everything together is perfect for tender cookies.
Step 6: Make the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon before stirring in the melted butter. The result will be a crumbly, buttery topping ready to add that irresistible coffee cake texture.
Step 7: Shape and Top the Cookies
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form 2-tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Place them on your baking sheet a couple of inches apart, flatten slightly, and generously press about one tablespoon of the streusel mixture onto each cookie—this topping is what elevates the whole cookie experience.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden and the centers are set, ensuring a soft and tender middle with crisp edges. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Optional Glazing
If you’re feeling fancy, whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle it over the cooled cookies for an extra sweet, classic coffee cake finishing touch.
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a little additional cinnamon or even some finely chopped nuts right before baking can add a subtle crunch or extra spice complexity. For a bright twist, a light dusting of powdered sugar after glazing offers a delicate, pretty presentation perfect for gatherings.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a robust cup of coffee or a creamy chai latte, making your snack feel like a comforting café moment at home. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit or yogurt to balance sweetness with freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies on a pretty platter and drizzle with some extra glaze or a chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert display. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of cream cheese frosting for a luscious twist that tastes like a bite of coffee cake heaven.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They maintain their tender texture and stay fresh enough to satisfy another craving or two.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking for up to 2 months, which means you’ll always have a quick baking project ready. Just thaw them slightly before topping with streusel and baking as directed.
Reheating
To enjoy that freshly baked feel, warm cookies gently in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and brings back that irresistible cozy aroma.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit adding extra salt in the recipe to avoid making the cookies too salty. Unsalted butter is generally preferred so you have full control over the salt level.
Is the glaze necessary?
The glaze is optional but highly recommended if you want that classic coffee cake finish. It gives an elegant touch of sweetness and a pretty shine, but the cookies are delicious even without it.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To make this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe vegan, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, replace eggs with flax eggs or another vegan substitute, and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly. Keep in mind texture may vary slightly.
Why is my streusel topping not crumbly?
If the streusel topping isn’t crumbly, you may have added too much butter. It should just hold together slightly when pressed, but remain mostly crumbly to provide that signature texture.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for 15-20 minutes if it’s too soft. Properly measuring flour and using parchment paper also helps keep cookies from spreading excessively.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved treat for all occasions. It’s a wonderful twist on a classic that delivers buttery, cinnamon-filled delight in every bite, perfect for sharing or indulging solo. Grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to bring an extra measure of joy and warmth right into your kitchen!
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Coffee Cake Cookies combine the buttery, cinnamon-rich flavors of traditional coffee cake with the portable convenience of a cookie. Topped with a crumbly streusel and optionally drizzled with a sweet vanilla glaze, these bakery-style cookies are perfect for coffee breaks or dessert. Soft in the center with golden edges, they offer a deliciously tender bite with a satisfying crunch from the streusel.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to ensure even baking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spice throughout the dough.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft, cohesive dough forms without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Make streusel topping: In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture becomes crumbly, which will give the topping its signature texture and flavor.
- Shape cookies: Scoop the cookie dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Add streusel topping: Flatten each cookie ball slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon, then press approximately 1 tablespoon of the prepared streusel topping on top of each cookie to create a rich, crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them firm up without losing moisture.
- Optional glaze: If desired, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed for desired consistency), and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cookies to add a classic coffee cake finish and extra sweetness.
Notes
- You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, allow them to thaw slightly, then add the streusel topping and bake as directed.
- The glaze is optional but adds a delicious sweet and creamy finishing touch that complements the cinnamon and buttery flavors perfectly.
