If you love the cozy, cinnamon-infused flavor of classic coffee cake but want something a little more snackable, you’re going to adore this Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe. These cookies have all the warmth and sweetness of your favorite morning treat, but in a perfectly chewy cookie form that’s easy to grab anytime. Trust me, the crumbly cinnamon topping with a drizzle of glaze on these is the kind of thing that’ll have your family asking for more before the plate is even empty!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cinnamon-Spiced Perfection: Every bite is bursting with cinnamon goodness that tastes just like classic coffee cake.
Chewy with a Crumbly Topping: The soft cookie base contrasts beautifully with the buttery cinnamon crumb topping.
Super Easy to Make: Quick steps and simple ingredients mean you’ll have these cookies ready in under 30 minutes.
Perfect Anytime Snack: Great for breakfast, afternoon coffee breaks, or as a comforting dessert.

Three round cookies with a light golden brown color sit on a sheet of crinkled parchment paper on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a crumbly, darker brown layer of streusel on top, scattered unevenly. A thin drizzle of white icing flows loosely over the streusel and cookie tops, adding contrast. One cookie in the foreground has a bite taken out of it, showing a soft, textured inside. Small crumbs are scattered around the cookies on the parchment paper. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies, cinnamon coffee cake cookies, easy coffee cake cookies, cinnamon cookie recipe, sweet breakfast cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

For these Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies, the ingredients come together like a dream—combining buttery richness with fluffy texture and that irresistible cinnamon sugar crumb topping. I recommend using real butter and fresh cinnamon to get the best flavor payoff.

Flat lay of half a stick of pale yellow butter, a small pile of light brown and golden brown sugars, a small heap of white granulated sugar, two whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a neat mound of off-white all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white powdered sugar, a tiny cluster of warm brown cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl of pale cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine baking soda, a small white ceramic bowl of natural salt crystals, and a small white ceramic bowl of creamy white milk, all evenly spaced and symmetrically arranged, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies, cinnamon coffee cake cookies, easy coffee cake cookies, cinnamon cookie recipe, sweet breakfast cookies

Butter: Use unsalted and softened butter to control salt level and ensure easy mixing.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a slight molasses flavor that works beautifully with cinnamon.
Granulated Sugar: Helps balance sweetness and improves cookie texture.
Egg and Egg Yolk: Bring richness and help bind the dough together for chewiness.
Vanilla Extract: Brightens the flavors and adds warmth.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: For that perfect rise and light texture.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors.
Cinnamon: The star spice that gives this recipe its signature warm flavor.
Cornstarch: Adds tenderness for the softest cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough ensuring a sturdy but soft structure.
Powdered Sugar: For the glaze—make sure it’s fresh for a smooth finish.
Milk: Helps thin the glaze to drizzle consistency.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

While I adore the classic cinnamon coffee cake vibe, feel free to mix it up to suit your taste or dietary preferences. I love tossing in a handful of chopped nuts or swapping regular flour for gluten-free flour to make these cookies fit our family’s needs.

Nutty Add-In: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping creates a delightful crunch that pairs well with the cinnamon sugar.
Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend to keep the texture soft and the flavor intact.
Spice It Up: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a fresh take on the classic cinnamon profile.
Dairy-Free Swap: Substitute butter with vegan margarine and milk with almond or oat milk in the glaze, and you’re all set.

How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Then, pop softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into your mixer. Beat them on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3 to 4 minutes. I discovered this step makes a huge difference in the cookie’s texture; don’t rush it.

Step 2: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla

Add the large egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix on low speed until everything is beautifully smooth. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature — this helps with better emulsification and a tender crumb.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Carefully

Slowly add baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cornstarch, and flour into your wet mixture. Mix gently and stop as soon as you see streaks of flour lingering. Overmixing here can lead to tough cookies, so I usually scrape the bowl and fold a few times by hand to keep things tender.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies and Add Topping

Scoop your dough into 3-tablespoon balls and place about six on each baking sheet—you want some space for spreading! Using the back of your scoop or your fingers, press gently into the center of each dough ball to create a shallow well. This is where the magic happens with the crumb topping!

Step 5: Make and Add the Crumb Topping

Mix together extra flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and soft butter with a fork or your fingers until it’s crumbly and sticks together when pressed. Then, generously fill each cookie’s indentation with this topping. It bakes into that perfect buttery, cinnamon-sugary crust that’s simply irresistible.

Step 6: Bake and Shape

Bake your cookies for 9-12 minutes, until the edges start turning a lovely golden brown. Here’s a trick: right after taking them out of the oven, run a spoon or spatula around each cookie’s edge while they’re still warm to shape them into perfect circles. This little step gives your cookies a delightful, uniform look.

Step 7: Add the Cinnamon Glaze

Once the cookies are completely cool (important, so the glaze doesn’t melt off!), mix powdered sugar, cinnamon, and milk into a smooth glaze. Drizzle this lovingly over each cookie. I love how this finishing touch adds sweetness and a pretty shine that makes the cookies look bakery-worthy.

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Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: I always take my eggs and butter out ahead of time to help everything mix more smoothly and create a tender cookie.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overworking flour is a common mistake that leads to dense cookies — mix just until you see most of the flour combined.
Indent Before Baking: Making that indentation for the crumb topping means the topping stays put and bakes evenly — it’s a game changer!
Cool Completely Before Glazing: Slapping the glaze on too early makes it run off. Patience here keeps the glaze beautifully atop your cookies.

How to Serve Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

A single round cookie with a light brown base sits on a crinkled white sheet, sprinkled with crumbly, darker brown streusel bits scattered mostly in the center. A thin layer of white icing is drizzled across the cookie in uneven, slightly shiny lines, covering both the streusel and cookie surface. There are small crumbs around the cookie on the sheet, adding texture to the scene. The background is a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies, cinnamon coffee cake cookies, easy coffee cake cookies, cinnamon cookie recipe, sweet breakfast cookies

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with just a sprinkle of extra cinnamon on top of the glaze for a little pop of color and spice. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar works great if you want a snow-kissed look that’s perfect for holiday mornings.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For a cozy brunch, I serve them alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit—your little sweet indulgence with a balanced breakfast plate!

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, arrange these cookies on a tiered dessert stand alongside miniature muffins and fresh cinnamon sticks for a charming coffee cake-themed party platter. I’ve also wrapped them individually in parchment tied with twine as thoughtful homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually put a slice of bread inside the container too—that little trick keeps the cookies soft and fresh for up to 4 days.

Freezing

I’ve found these cookies freeze really well! Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep for up to 3 months, so you can make these anytime and enjoy cinnamon coffee cake goodness on demand.

Reheating

To reheat, just pop a cookie or two in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This way, you bring back that soft, freshly baked feel, and the crumble topping stays delightful.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can definitely use salted butter; just be mindful that it will add a bit more saltiness, so you might want to reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to keep the balance just right.
Why is there cornstarch in the dough?

Cornstarch helps make the cookies extra tender and soft by softening the protein in the flour, so your cookies have that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I skip the glaze?

Absolutely! The cookies taste fantastic without the glaze, but I recommend at least the cinnamon crumb topping so you get that signature coffee cake flavor and texture.
How do I keep the crumb topping from falling off?

Pressing the topping firmly into the indentation before baking helps it adhere. Avoid moving the cookies around until they are fully cooled to minimize topping loss.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe captures the heart of a morning coffee cake but with the convenience and portability of a cookie. Every time I bake these, my family goes crazy for them, and it’s become our go-to treat for breakfast on the run or a cozy afternoon snack. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do — they’re like a warm hug in cookie form!