Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
If you’ve ever craved the warm, nostalgic comfort of classic coffee cake but wished it could be transformed into a chewy, hand-held treat, you’re in for a real treat with these Coffee Cake Cookies. They deliver everything you love about the original—the cinnamon-spiced crumb, the buttery flavor, and the irresistible vanilla glaze—all in a tender cookie form. Perfect for snacking, breakfast with a cup of coffee, or sharing at your next get-together, these cookies are about to become your new favorite bake.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Coffee Cake Cookies is in their simple, familiar ingredients—each one is a building block for that signature soft texture, cinnamon swirl, and sweet finish. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need, including a decadent streusel and a drizzle of glaze that takes these cookies over the top.
- Unsalted Butter: The backbone of any great cookie, it brings rich flavor and a tender crumb. Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Light Brown Sugar: Packed with moisture and a lovely molasses note, it keeps the cookies soft and gives depth to the streusel.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar’s caramel tones for a well-rounded sweetness.
- Eggs: Essential for structure and richness—room temperature eggs work best for smooth blending.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances both the dough and glaze with beautiful aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: The reliable base for both cookies and streusel, giving just the right amount of chew.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leaveners help the cookies rise gently, so they stay light without becoming cakey.
- Salt: A pinch sharpens up the flavors, keeping the cookies from tasting flat.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice in both the cookie and the crumbly topping—absolutely essential for that coffee cake vibe.
- Sour Cream: The secret weapon for soft, tender cookies that melt in your mouth. Greek yogurt can stand in, too!
- Powdered Sugar: For that dreamy glaze that ties everything together.
- Milk: Just a splash to loosen the glaze to drizzling perfection.
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Tools
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—the perfect temp for a batch of cookies that bake up golden around the edges and soft in the middle. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so your Coffee Cake Cookies lift right off without sticking, and set aside a couple of mixing bowls (you’ll need them).
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This step is key—it creates air pockets that make your cookies tender. Don’t rush; give it two to three minutes for maximum fluffiness!
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Sour Cream
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each, so your dough stays silky and cohesive. Stir in vanilla extract for that inviting aroma, then mix in the sour cream, which gives the finished cookies a moist, tender crumb that’s so reminiscent of classic coffee cake.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Pour these dry ingredients gradually into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Over-mixing at this point can toughen your cookies, so keep it tender!
Step 5: Make the Streusel Topping
For the irresistible, crumbly streusel, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Drizzle in melted butter, stirring with a fork until large, buttery crumbs form. It’s the star topping that gives every bite a true coffee cake feel—generously pile it on!
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
Scoop the dough onto your prepared baking sheets (think about two tablespoons per cookie), then gently flatten each mound. Sprinkle each with a good spoonful of streusel, pressing it lightly so it hugs the dough. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers look set. They’ll finish firming up as they cool, so resist overbaking.
Step 7: Cool and Glaze
Let your cookies cool on the pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While they’re cooling, make the simple glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract. Drizzle over the cooled Coffee Cake Cookies and get ready for cookie bliss!
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies
Garnishes
If you want to dress up your Coffee Cake Cookies, consider a light dusting of cinnamon or even a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans over the still-wet glaze. This not only boosts the flavor but adds a bakery-style finish that looks picture-perfect on any plate.
Side Dishes
These cookies are naturally at home beside a hot mug of coffee or tea, but they also shine alongside a fresh fruit platter, simple yogurt parfait, or a brunch spread with scrambled eggs and bacon. Their cinnamon warmth is the star, so keep side dishes simple to let the cookies shine.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful! Arrange the Coffee Cake Cookies in a circle on a tiered cake stand for brunch, or tuck them into parchment-lined boxes with a little ribbon for easy gifting. Try threading them on pretty skewers for a dessert kebab with slices of fresh fruit for a fun twist on your dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cookies left (not always likely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The glaze sets nicely, so you don’t need to worry about sticking, and the cookies stay soft and delicious.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the Coffee Cake Cookies (glazed or unglazed) in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months—just thaw at room temperature whenever you need a sweet fix on hand.
Reheating
To recapture that fresh-baked magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This gently softens the crumb and brings out the cinnamon aroma. If frozen, let the cookies thaw before giving them a short warm-up.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and keep it chilled in the fridge for up to 48 hours. In fact, a brief chill often helps the flavors deepen and gives thicker cookies.
What’s the best way to get the perfect streusel topping?
The key is to stir the melted butter into the dry ingredients just until crumbles form. If you overmix, it can become sandy instead of chunky. Use your hands to gently squeeze together bigger pieces for bakery-style crumbs.
Do Coffee Cake Cookies have coffee in them?
Nope—despite the name, these cookies are designed to be enjoyed with coffee, just like traditional coffee cake. The flavor comes from cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla, not actual coffee.
Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt works beautifully as a 1:1 substitute for sour cream. It keeps the cookies just as moist and tender, with a slightly tangier note.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for golden edges and centers that are just set. They may seem a little soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool, ensuring you get that perfect soft, chewy bite.
Final Thoughts
These Coffee Cake Cookies are pure comfort, and every batch feels just a little bit special. Whether you’re baking them for a cozy morning at home or to share with friends over coffee, I promise these cookies will bring a smile to your face. Give them a try—you’re going to love them!
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Coffee Cake Cookies are a delightful fusion of two beloved treats. With a tender cookie base, a sweet cinnamon streusel topping, and a vanilla glaze, these cookies are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Main Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup sour cream
Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Mix wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Prepare streusel: In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.
- Bake: Scoop cookie dough onto baking sheets, top with streusel, and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Make glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
- Glaze cookies: Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies before serving.
Notes
- You can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough for extra flavor.
- Use Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
