There’s something magical about coffee cake, and these coffee cake cookies capture all of that charm in a portable, bite-sized treat. Made with a tender cinnamon sugar cookie base, a buttery brown sugar streusel, and a drizzle of creamy vanilla icing, these cookies are the perfect cozy companion to your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or evening dessert craving. Each bite delivers the warmth of cinnamon, the crunch of streusel, and the sweetness of icing—making them a year-round favorite for bakers and cookie lovers alike.
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The Appeal of Coffee Cake Cookies
Coffee cake cookies are a delightful twist on the classic coffee cake—easy to make, quicker to bake, and perfect for sharing. They combine the tender crumb of a bakery-style cookie with the rich, cinnamon-spiced flavor of coffee cake. Plus, their thumbprint design makes room for a generous scoop of buttery crumble in every bite. Whether you’re baking for brunch, a holiday dessert table, or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cookie Dough
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and chewiness.
• Cake Flour: Adds a fine, light crumb for a soft texture.
• Cornstarch: Helps the cookies keep their shape and stay tender.
• Cinnamon: Brings warmth and classic coffee cake flavor.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Work together for lift and lightness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold and cubed for tender, crisp-edged cookies.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth and moisture.
• Granulated Sugar: Contributes to a lighter color and slight crispness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enriches the flavor profile.
• Egg & Egg Yolk: The extra yolk adds chewiness.
Streusel Topping
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the crumble.
• Brown Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes in the oven.
• Cinnamon: Essential for that classic spiced note.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Softened Unsalted Butter: Binds the streusel and gives it richness.
Vanilla Icing
• Unsalted Butter: Melted for a smooth icing base.
• Heavy Cream or Milk: Creates the right consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweet and silky for drizzling.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor.
• Salt: A pinch to enhance sweetness.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
• Flour Swap: Use a gluten-free all-purpose blend for a gluten-free version.
• Sugar Options: Coconut sugar or dark brown sugar for deeper flavor.
• Butter Alternatives: Plant-based butters work for dairy-free baking.
• Spices: Try nutmeg or cardamom for a unique twist.
• Add-ins: Chopped nuts or shredded coconut in the streusel for texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Streusel: In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Work in softened butter until clumps form. Refrigerate.
- Preheat Oven: Set to 400°F and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in one bowl.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: Beat cold cubed butter with both sugars until smooth.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.
- Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until incorporated.
- Shape Dough: Roll into balls and place on baking sheets.
- Create Indents: Use your thumb or a spoon handle to make a well in each cookie.
- Fill & Bake: Spoon streusel into each indent. Bake 8–11 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool & Ice: Let cookies cool completely, then drizzle with vanilla icing.
Tips for Perfect Coffee Cake Cookies
• Chill the streusel before baking to keep it crumbly.
• Use cold butter in the dough for the best texture.
• Don’t overbake—cookies will continue cooking on the sheet after removal.
• Double the streusel if you want extra topping after baking.
• Always ice cookies when fully cooled to prevent melting.
Serving Ideas & Variations
• Serve Warm: Pair with a cappuccino or chai latte for the ultimate treat.
• Holiday Twist: Add a dash of nutmeg or ginger to the streusel.
• Fruit Addition: Add finely diced apples or blueberries before baking for a fruity variation.
• Dessert Sandwich: Spread cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an indulgent treat.
• Make-Ahead: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months; bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies Year-Round
Coffee cake cookies aren’t just for cozy winter mornings—they shine in every season. In summer, serve them alongside iced coffee for a cool contrast. In autumn, add pumpkin spice to the streusel for a festive twist. Spring brunches and holiday dessert spreads alike will welcome these golden, cinnamon-scented delights.
Conclusion
Coffee cake cookies are the perfect blend of comfort and convenience, delivering all the flavors you love from a classic coffee cake in a tender, handheld treat. The buttery streusel, warm cinnamon spice, and sweet vanilla drizzle make them a standout for any occasion—whether you’re hosting brunch, gifting a homemade dessert, or simply treating yourself. With a recipe that’s approachable yet indulgent, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make coffee cake cookies ahead of time
Yes. You can prepare the dough up to 48 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Shape the dough before chilling for convenience. When ready to bake, allow it to rest at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before adding the streusel and baking.
2. How should I store leftover coffee cake cookies
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. If freezing, place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
3. Can I make these cookies gluten-free
Absolutely. Swap the all-purpose and cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Be sure to choose a blend containing xanthan gum for the best texture.
4. Why is cold butter important in this recipe
Cold butter helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking. It also creates a tender center with slightly crisp edges, giving the cookies their signature texture.
More Relevant Recipes
- Pumpkin Coffee Cake – Perfect Fall Treat: A moist and spiced pumpkin coffee cake topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel, perfect for pairing with your morning coffee. Its warm flavors and crumbly topping make it a close cousin to coffee cake cookies.
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies: These chewy cookies combine sweet apple bits with cinnamon spice, delivering a cozy and comforting flavor profile reminiscent of classic coffee cake.
- Maple Pecan Cookies – Fall Treat: Packed with nutty pecans and sweet maple flavor, these cookies offer a rich, autumn-inspired taste that complements the warm, spiced essence of coffee cake cookies.
Coffee Cake Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 large cookies or 22–24 smaller cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These coffee cake cookies combine the best of two beloved desserts: soft, cinnamon-spiced sugar cookies topped with buttery brown sugar streusel and finished with a sweet vanilla icing drizzle. Perfect for pairing with coffee or as a cozy dessert any time of year.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed (for streusel)
- 2 tsp cinnamon (for streusel)
- Pinch salt (for streusel)
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for streusel)
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (for dough)
- 3/4 cup cake flour, spooned and leveled (for dough)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (for dough)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (for dough)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for icing)
- 3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk (for icing)
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (for icing)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for icing)
- Pinch salt (for icing)
Instructions
- Prepare the streusel: Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Work in softened butter until clumps form. Refrigerate.
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Mix dry ingredients for dough: all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream cold butter with brown and granulated sugar until smooth, 1–2 minutes.
- Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until incorporated.
- Roll dough into balls and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Create an indent in each dough ball with your thumb or the back of a spoon.
- Fill each indent with ~1 Tbsp streusel and bake for 8–11 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool cookies for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Prepare icing: Whisk melted butter, cream or milk, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Drizzle icing over completely cooled cookies and serve.
Notes
- Chill streusel before using to maintain crumbly texture.
- Use cold butter in dough to prevent excessive spreading.
- Double the streusel for extra topping if desired.
- Ice cookies only when fully cooled to avoid melting.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 555
- Sugar: 44g
- Sodium: 445mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 76g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 104mg