Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Coffee Cake Cookies combine the cozy flavors of cinnamon streusel with a tender, buttery cookie. They’re perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up with your favorite cup of coffee. Easy to make and delightfully satisfying, these cookies bring the best of coffee cake in a handheld treat.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch salt
• 5 Tbsp softened unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 3/4 cup cake flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 8 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 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
• 3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the streusel filling by combining 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Work in 5 Tbsp softened butter with your fingers until small clumps form. Refrigerate this mixture while preparing the dough.
2. Step 2: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 3/4 cup cake flour, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream 8 Tbsp cold cubed butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth (about 1-2 minutes).
5. Step 5: Add 1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the butter mixture and blend until combined. Scrape down the sides with a spatula if needed.
6. Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in about 1/4 cup increments. Mix until fully incorporated, but do not overmix.
7. Step 7: Scoop and roll the cookie dough into approximately 8 large balls for bigger cookies, or smaller balls for 22-24 cookies total. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Step 8: Make an indent in the center of each cookie with your thumb or the end of a spoon. Lightly dust the tool with flour to prevent sticking if needed.
9. Step 9: Spoon about 1 Tbsp of the chilled streusel filling into each indent. Bake for 8-11 minutes or until the edges are just set and lightly golden. Remove from oven just before they seem done to avoid dryness.
10. Step 10: (Optional) Immediately after baking, place a cookie cutter or circular glass around each cookie and gently spin to smooth out uneven edges for a perfect round shape.
11. Step 11: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel mixture.
• Use cake flour for a lighter texture and softer cookies.
• If you prefer less cinnamon, reduce it slightly in the streusel and dough.
• Substitute heavy cream with whole milk for a lighter dough.
• Chill the cookie dough before baking to help maintain shape and enhance flavor.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or until slightly soft and warmed through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make gluten-free Coffee Cake Cookies, substitute the all purpose and cake flours with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Adjust liquids as needed since gluten-free flours can absorb more moisture.

What is the purpose of the cornstarch in the recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a tender, soft texture by reducing the protein content in the dough and preventing gluten from forming too strongly, which results in softer cookies.

Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 68 reviews

Delight in these Coffee Cake Cookies, a perfect fusion of tender cookie dough with a cinnamon-spiced streusel filling that offers a moist, crumbly center reminiscent of classic coffee cake. Finished with a powdered sugar glaze, these cookies are a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 22–24 cookies 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Streusel Filling

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened

Cookie Dough

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 3/4 cup cake flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk

Powdered Sugar Glaze

• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 3 Tbsp. heavy cream or milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the streusel filling: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use your fingers to work in the softened butter until small clumps form. Refrigerate while you prepare the dough.
2. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Heat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
3. Mix dry ingredients for cookie dough: In a large bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. Cream butter and sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cubed butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Add eggs and vanilla: Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until combined fully, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture in about 1/4 cup increments, mixing until just incorporated to form the cookie dough.
7. Shape the cookies: Scoop and roll the dough into approximately 8 large balls, or smaller if preferred to yield 22-24 cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Create indentations for the streusel: Make an indent in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the end of a spoon/spatula that has been floured to prevent sticking.
9. Fill and bake: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the chilled streusel filling into each indentation. Bake for 8-11 minutes or until the cookie edges are set and lightly golden. Remove just before fully done to prevent dryness.
10. Optional shaping: Immediately after baking, place a circular cookie cutter or a rounded glass (larger than the cookie) around each cookie and gently spin to smooth out uneven edges, creating a perfect circle.
11. Cool: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

Notes

• Be careful not to overbake; cookies should be removed when edges are just golden as they will continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.
• If you don’t have cake flour, you can substitute by replacing 2 Tbsp. of all purpose flour per cup with cornstarch.
• Refrigerate the streusel filling to help it firm up and make it easier to spoon onto the cookies.
• The optional shaping step ensures professional-looking, uniform cookies perfect for gifting or display.
• For the glaze, adjust the cream quantity to achieve your desired consistency.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: coffee cake cookies, streusel cookies, cinnamon cookies, baked cookies, coffee cake inspired, soft cookies, homemade cookies