If you love the cozy flavors of a classic morning treat packed into a handheld delight, then this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is going to be your new favorite obsession. These cookies capture the tender, crumbly texture of coffee cake with a cinnamon streusel center and a sweet glaze, all wrapped into one bite-sized wonder. Perfectly balanced with just the right amount of cinnamon warmth and buttery goodness, these cookies make mornings brighter and afternoons more indulgent. Trust me, once you try this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe, you’ll be reaching for them again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may seem simple, but each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of crumbly texture, cinnamon spice, and sweet glaze in your Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe. Having the right blend of flours, sugars, and butter ensures those tender crumbs and luscious streusel that everyone loves.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: Helps with structure and a soft crumb.
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed): Adds warmth and moisture to the dough.
- 2 tsp cinnamon: Brings that signature cozy spice.
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter (softened): Creates richness and tenderness.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): Provides a sturdy base for the cookies.
- 3/4 cup cake flour (spooned and leveled): Keeps the cookies cakey and light.
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter (cold, cubed): Essential for a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth streusel topping.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed) for the streusel: Adds caramel notes.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for the streusel: Balances sweetness with texture.
- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted) for the icing: Creates a silky glaze finish.
- 3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk for the icing: Makes the glaze smooth and pourable.
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Filling
Start by mixing flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Then cut in the cold, cubed butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms pea-sized clumps. This streusel will be your cookie’s deliciously crumbly surprise, so don’t overwork it. Pop it in the refrigerator while you prep the dough so it stays cold.
Step 2: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure your cookies bake evenly without sticking. The high temperature will help the cookies set quickly with a tender center.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together all-purpose flour, cake flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until these essentials are evenly blended. This blend is what gives your cookies that signature cakey but sturdy feel, allowing them to hold the streusel without sinking.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the cold butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract next, beating well to combine. This step is key to making the dough moist, rich, and tender.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently after each addition. You want to combine until just incorporated to keep the dough light and soft, making every bitten crumb utterly delightful.
Step 6: Shape and Fill the Cookies
Roll the dough into small balls, then create a shallow well or indent in each one with your thumb or the back of a spoon. Fill each indent generously with the chilled streusel mixture. This results in a perfect middle, filled with buttery cinnamon spice that sets this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe apart.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8 to 11 minutes or until the edges are just set but the centers still look soft. The high heat helps create a tender but structured cookie with a golden crust and gooey streusel core.
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light drizzle of powdered sugar glaze is a classic finishing touch for these cookies. You can make the glaze silky by whisking powdered sugar with heavy cream or milk, then lightly drizzling over cooled cookies. For an extra cozy feel, sprinkle a little cinnamon on top or add finely chopped nuts for crunch.
Side Dishes
These Coffee Cake Cookies pair beautifully with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a simple afternoon treat. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit or creamy yogurt to balance the sweetness and add a fresh contrast. They also work great with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of cinnamon sugar and glaze for dipping or extra sprinkles. You can also arrange them in decorative tins for gifting, making the Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe a thoughtful homemade present that melts hearts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies store best in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and prevent drying out. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making them perfect for quick snacks throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for longer storage by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container once solid. Frozen Coffee Cake Cookies maintain their flavor and texture for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked feel, warm cookies in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes or heat individually in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Adding a touch of extra glaze after reheating will restore their sweet, glossy finish.
FAQs
Can I substitute whole wheat flour in this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe?
Whole wheat flour can be used but will make the cookies denser and less tender. If you do substitute, try half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose to maintain a good texture.
Is it necessary to chill the streusel filling?
Yes! Chilling the streusel keeps the butter cold, which is essential for creating the crumbly texture that melts in your mouth without becoming greasy.
Can I make the cookies dairy-free?
Absolutely. Swap butter for vegan margarine and use a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk for the glaze. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for lightly golden edges with centers that still look soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so err on the side of slightly underbaking for the perfect chewy, tender middle.
Can I double the recipe to make more cookies?
Definitely! Doubling the ingredients works well, but be sure to space the cookies out on your baking sheets to allow them room to spread evenly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon and buttery goodness, this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is waiting for you. It’s simple enough for a weekday treat but special enough to impress guests at brunch or a cozy gathering. Give it a try—you’re going to fall head over heels for these tender, sweet, and endlessly satisfying cookies.
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Coffee Cake Cookies that combine the tender crumb of coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie. Featuring a cinnamon-sugar streusel filling and a sweet, creamy icing drizzle, these treats offer a perfect balance of buttery richness, warm spices, and a crisp-tender texture. Ideal for breakfast on the go or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Ingredients
Streusel Filling
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 3/4 cup cake flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
- Cold butter amount for creaming: 8 Tbsp unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (from streusel ingredients)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (from streusel ingredients)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
- 3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Streusel Filling: Combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Cut in 8 Tbsp cold cubed butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms coarse clumps. Refrigerate this streusel to firm up while preparing the dough.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cake flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until fully combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 8 Tbsp cold cubed butter together with 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes. Add 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract; continue blending until incorporated and fluffy.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture in the mixer bowl and mix on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix to keep cookies tender.
- Shape and Fill Cookies: Scoop dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create an indent in the center of each cookie. Fill each indent with a spoonful of the chilled streusel mixture.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 11 minutes or until the edges are set and golden. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Prepare and Add Icing: Whisk together 1 cup sifted powdered sugar with 3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the icing over cooled cookies before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, ensure the butter used in the streusel is very cold to create those desirable crumbly pockets in the cookies.
- Use fresh baking powder and baking soda for optimal rise and texture.
- The 400°F oven temperature creates a nicely browned cookie edge while keeping the interiors soft.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or can be frozen for longer storage.
- Substitute milk with heavy cream in the icing for a richer drizzle or with almond milk for a dairy-free option.
