Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a delightful treat that perfectly blends the cozy flavors of your favorite morning pastry with the ease of a cookie, then this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Imagine tender, soft-baked cookies chock-full of cinnamon spice, topped with a buttery streusel crumb and finished off with a sweet vanilla glaze that dances on your tongue. These cookies bring all the nostalgia and warmth of classic coffee cake into a handheld delight that’s ideal for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging with your afternoon cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these cookies lies in their simple yet carefully selected ingredients, each playing a crucial role in delivering that perfect texture, flavor, and aroma you crave. From the rich buttery base to the cinnamon-spiced streusel topping, every ingredient harmonizes beautifully for this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe.

• All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups): The backbone of your cookie, providing structure and a tender crumb.
• Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps your cookies rise gently for a soft, fluffy texture.
• Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a slight lift and balances the sweetness.
• Fine sea salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
• Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses the dough with warm, aromatic spice essential to coffee cake flavor.
• Unsalted butter, softened (3/4 cup): Adds richness and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
• Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Provides sweetness and helps achieve a tender texture.
• Light brown sugar, packed (1/2 cup): Brings a hint of molasses flavor and moisture to the dough.
• Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Offers a fragrant, sweet note that complements cinnamon beautifully.
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (1/4 cup): Keeps the cookies moist with a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
• Flour for streusel (3/4 cup): Helps create those signature crumbly topping clusters.
• Light brown sugar for streusel (1/3 cup): Sweetens and enriches the streusel with deep caramel notes.
• Ground cinnamon for streusel (1 teaspoon): Adds an extra layer of spice on top.
• Fine sea salt for streusel (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and keeps the topping flavorful.
• Unsalted butter melted for streusel (5 tablespoons): Binds the streusel crumbs to a perfect, crunchy consistency.
• Powdered sugar (1 cup): Base for a smooth, sweet glaze that adds a pretty finish.
• Milk or heavy cream (2–3 tablespoons): Adjusts the glaze to a drizzle-friendly texture.
• Vanilla extract for glaze (1/2 teaspoon): Infuses the glaze with a lovely aromatic sweetness.

How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Baking Sheets Ready

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This little prep step ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the pan without a hitch, making clean-up a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until all is well combined. This step helps distribute the leavening agents evenly so each cookie rises uniformly with that signature soft crumb.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Grab your large mixing bowl and beat the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This creaming process is key for achieving the delicate texture that makes these cookies so special.

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Next, mix in the egg until fully incorporated, then stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream or Greek yogurt. The sour cream is the secret weapon that keeps the cookies moist and tender without weighing them down.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture in two parts, mixing on low speed just until flour disappears into the dough. You want a thick, soft cookie dough that’s ready to scoop but not overworked to keep these as tender as possible.

Step 6: Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until you get those chunky, buttery crumbs that will top your cookies perfectly.

Step 7: Scoop and Shape the Cookies

Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized mounds on the prepared baking sheets. Space them a few inches apart because they will spread slightly as they bake.

Step 8: Add Streusel Crumbs

Gently flatten each dough ball a bit with your fingertips, then press a generous handful of the streusel mixture on top. This step guarantees you’ll get that irresistible crunchy, cinnamon-studded topping in every single bite.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookies into the oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden brown and the centers are just set but still soft when touched. This timing keeps them tender and avoids drying out.

Step 10: Cool and Prepare the Glaze

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they’re cooling, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the liquid for a drizzling consistency that will glaze these beauties perfectly.

Step 11: Glaze and Finish

Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies in thin lines or fun zigzags. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving or storing your delicious batch.

How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

While the streusel and glaze provide plenty of texture, you can add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few finely chopped toasted pecans on top just before baking for an extra crunch and visual appeal. A dusting of powdered sugar right before serving also makes these cookies look irresistible.

Side Dishes

These cookies naturally pair with any warm beverage like fresh-brewed coffee, chai tea, or even a creamy latte. They also complement a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet afternoon treat or after-dinner dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, stack the cookies in a cute box lined with parchment paper and tie with a rustic ribbon. You can also serve them on a tiered dessert tray at brunch or package them individually in mini bags for party favors. The Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe offers versatility beyond just taste!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Placing a slice of bread inside the container can help keep them soft and chewy.

Freezing

If you want to keep these treats longer, freeze the unglazed cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving for the freshest experience.

Reheating

To enjoy warm cookies, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds. Warm cookies bring out the buttery, cinnamon flavors to their fullest, almost like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use plain yogurt instead of sour cream in this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe?

Yes! Plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream here. It adds moisture and a slight tang, helping keep the cookies tender without changing the flavor too much.

What if I don’t have brown sugar for the streusel topping?

If you only have granulated sugar, you can use that instead, though the flavor will be less deep and caramel-like. To mimic brown sugar, you could add a tiny bit of molasses if you have some on hand.

How do I make sure my cookies don’t spread too thin while baking?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before scooping if you find spreading is an issue. Also, spacing the dough mounds properly helps maintain shape during baking.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe?

Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips would be delicious additions, either folded into the dough or sprinkled atop the streusel before baking for extra texture and flavor.

Is this recipe suitable for making smaller or larger cookies?

Absolutely. Just adjust the baking time accordingly—a few minutes less for smaller cookies and a few more for larger ones. Keep an eye on the edges for that perfect golden finish!

Final Thoughts

If you love the comfort of coffee cake but crave the convenience of a cookie, this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is a delightful answer. Packed with buttery richness, warm cinnamon, and that irresistible streusel crumb, it will quickly become a staple in your baking rotation. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be reaching for them again and again—so go ahead, bake a batch today and treat yourself to a little sweet joy!

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