Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles Recipe
Imagine the heavenly aroma of fresh-baked cookies swirling with the soul-soothing scent of coffee and spicy warmth of cinnamon—these Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles capture that magic in each crackly, sugar-dusted bite! This cookie recipe has quickly become my go-to for family gatherings and cozy afternoons, thanks to its irresistible blend of textures and flavors. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll fall in love with how easy it is to whip up a batch of Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles, and the way their soft centers and crinkled tops delight everyone lucky enough to try them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles is that they come together with humble ingredients that transform into something truly spectacular. Each element brings its own flair, helping create cookies that are soft, flavorful, and beautifully crackled.
- Eggs: The backbone of chewy tenderness, eggs help bind everything together and lend richness to the cookies.
- Instant coffee granules: Dissolving these with eggs brings that hint of latte flavor, creating a subtle but unmistakable coffee essence.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and sets the stage for that signature crinkly top.
- Cream of tartar: Not just for snickerdoodles—this helps with the cookies’ signature texture and gives the crinkles their lift and crackly top.
- Baking soda: Works hand-in-hand with cream of tartar for perfect rise and soft middles.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings the unmistakable warmth and spice that’s so comforting in every bite.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and brings out the depth of flavors.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds flaky tenderness and luscious flavor richness.
- Shortening: Makes the cookies extra tender and keeps them from spreading too much—a perfect partner for that iconic crinkle.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps develop that melt-in-your-mouth interior.
- Powdered sugar for coating: The final flourish; rolling each dough ball in powdered sugar ensures those dreamy, snowy cracks as the cookies bake.
How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Step 1: Get Set Up
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F, giving it plenty of time to get nice and hot for that classic crinkle effect. Set out your mixing bowls, baking sheets, and wire racks so everything’s ready to go.
Step 2: Dissolve the Coffee with Eggs
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and instant coffee granules. The warmth of the eggs helps the coffee dissolve completely, ensuring every cookie has a subtle, even coffee flavor throughout.
Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. This step makes sure the rising agents and spices are distributed evenly, so you get superb flavor and texture in every bite.
Step 4: Cream the Butter, Shortening, and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, shortening, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3–4 minutes. Creaming is key for that soft, tender crumb.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry
Add your egg-coffee mixture into the creamed butter and sugar, beating until combined. Then, gradually stir in your flour mixture. Mix just until a soft dough forms—overmixing erases that perfect texture.
Step 6: Shape and Roll in Sugar
Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Generously roll each ball in powdered sugar, covering them completely—this is where the signature Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles effect really happens.
Step 7: Bake to Crinkled Perfection
Place the sugared dough balls on ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and boast their famous crinkly tops. Let them cool briefly on the sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
How to Serve Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Garnishes
Serve your Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles with an extra dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy, festive look. For a little sparkle, try a light drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar while they’re still slightly warm.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, chai, or even cold milk. They also hold their own beside fresh fruit, a scattering of nuts, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles in a clear cellophane bag tied with twine for an adorable edible gift. Arrange them on a tiered platter for parties, or tuck a few into lunchboxes for a midday pick-me-up that feels like a warm hug.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Tuck a slice of bread into the container to maintain maximum softness—the bread prevents them from drying out.
Freezing
To freeze, simply layer cooled cookies with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. You can also freeze unbaked, sugar-rolled dough balls and bake straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time!
Reheating
If you like your cookies warm, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds. From the freezer, let the cookies thaw on the counter or reheat in a low oven at 300°F for 3–4 minutes—just until soft and fragrant.
FAQs
Can I use freshly brewed coffee instead of instant granules?
Instant coffee gives the strongest flavor without adding extra liquid, but if you don’t have any, you can use a tablespoon of very strong brewed coffee in place of the granules. Just reduce another wet ingredient slightly to maintain the dough’s texture.
What’s the role of cream of tartar in Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles?
Cream of tartar is responsible for that soft, pillowy texture and classic crackled appearance. It reacts with baking soda to give the cookies lift and that beautiful tender bite.
Can I make these cookies ahead and freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Shape the dough into balls, roll in powdered sugar, then freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag or container. Bake from frozen, just adding an extra minute or two to ensure they’re done.
How do I keep the powdered sugar coating white and pretty?
Roll the dough balls generously—the more powdered sugar, the more dramatic the crinkle. If your kitchen is humid, coat the dough just before baking to prevent absorption that dulls the look.
Can I substitute butter for the shortening?
Shortening is what gives Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles their signature soft, tender texture and helps prevent spreading. You can use all butter if you like, but expect the cookies to be a little flatter and crispier around the edges.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to delight cookie lovers with something unique, don’t wait another day to try Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles. Their cozy spice, subtle coffee kick, and playful crackled tops never fail to spark joy—so preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to a batch of pure comfort!
Print
Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delightful Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles, perfect for any occasion with their deliciously crackled tops and subtle coffee flavor.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
For Coating:
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the egg-coffee mixture: Whisk the eggs with instant coffee in a small bowl until the coffee dissolves.
- Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, mix together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, shortening, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Mix in the egg-coffee mixture, then gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Shape and coat the dough: Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in powdered sugar until coated. Place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until set and crackled on top.
- Cool and store: Cool the cookies on wire racks before storing in an airtight container.
Notes
- For a bolder coffee flavor, increase instant coffee to 3 tablespoons.
- For a softer spice profile, reduce cinnamon to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
