Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Imagine sinking your teeth into the tender crumb of a cookie that tastes just like your favorite slice of morning coffee cake! These Coffee Cake Cookies combine a pillowy, cinnamon-infused cookie base, generous mounds of brown sugar crumb topping, and a sweet drizzle of glaze. It’s everything you love about the classic breakfast treat, reincarnated in irresistible cookie form—and, honestly, the perfect excuse to have cookies for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Coffee Cake Cookies lies in simple pantry staples that, together, create an unforgettable treat. Every ingredient is carefully chosen, from the aromatic cinnamon to the creamy butter, ensuring layers of flavor and a perfectly tender crumb.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and makes the cookies soft and tender. Make sure it’s at room temperature for that unbeatable creaminess.
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A combination creates depth, chew, and a little caramel note that enhances the cinnamon.
• Egg + Egg Yolk: The yolk adds extra moisture, making these cookies extra soft inside.
• Vanilla: The classic flavor booster—just a touch brings everything together.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Help the cookies rise ever-so-slightly for that perfect coffee cake texture.
• Salt: Just enough to balance all the sweet, so every bite sings.
• Cinnamon: It’s the star! Warm, aromatic, and absolutely essential.
• Cornstarch: This secret ingredient ensures each cookie stays extra soft and tender—like a bakery classic.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookies, giving them shape and structure without heaviness.
• Crumb Topping (Flour, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Salt, Butter): This creates the irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth streusel on top.
• Glaze (Powdered Sugar, Cinnamon, Milk): Just the right touch of sweetness and shine to finish things off.

Variations

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or catering to picky eaters, these Coffee Cake Cookies are like a blank canvas for your cravings. You can easily mix things up with different spices, glazes, or add-ins to suit your mood and preferences.

• Add Chopped Nuts: Stir in ½ cup of pecans or walnuts for a classic coffee cake crunch.
• Make It Maple: Add a drizzle of maple syrup to the glaze or a sprinkle of maple sugar in the crumb for autumn vibes.
• Go Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based butter and dairy-free milk for an easy swap—flavor stays fabulous!
• Try Different Spices: Swap half the cinnamon for cardamom, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice for a fun twist.
• Chocolate Chip Swirl: Fold in some mini chocolate chips for extra decadence—because why not?

How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by beating the softened butter with both brown and granulated sugars in your stand mixer or with a hand mixer. Give it a good 3-4 minutes until it’s super light and fluffy—this step is key for achieving that plush, bakery-style crumb in your Coffee Cake Cookies.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg, extra yolk, and vanilla extract on low speed until the mixture is silky and completely combined. The extra yolk keeps the cookies lush and soft, just like the best coffee cake!

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

With your mixer on low, slowly add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cornstarch, and flour. Stop mixing as soon as the last streaks of flour are almost gone—this helps keep your Coffee Cake Cookies tender, not tough.

Step 4: Shape and Indent Dough

Scoop out generously-sized cookie dough balls (about 3 tablespoons each) and place 6 on each lined baking sheet. Use the back of a cookie scoop or your fingers to make a small nest or indentation in the center of each ball—this will cradle all that yummy crumb topping.

Step 5: Make and Add the Crumb Topping

In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and softened butter. Use your fingers or a fork to mix until large moist crumbs form. Scoop a generous mound of this delicious streusel into each dough indentation, really packing it in so each cookie gets plenty.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies in a preheated 375°F oven for 9-12 minutes. The edges should be just turning golden, but the centers will look a touch soft—that’s perfect! Immediately after baking, gently run a spoon or spatula around each cookie to help shape them into perfect circles. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet (they’ll finish setting as they rest).

Step 7: Glaze and Devour

Whisk together powdered sugar, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and just enough milk to make a thick but pourable glaze. Drizzle lavishly across the cooled cookies and—trust me—get ready for magic. Coffee Cake Cookies are absolute heaven with fresh glaze on top!

How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies

Garnishes

For an extra flourish, sprinkle your Coffee Cake Cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar, or add a little extra cinnamon to the glaze. Try a few candied nuts or chocolate shavings on top for a show-stopping bakery finish—these little touches make them brunch-ready and irresistible.

Side Dishes

Pair your Coffee Cake Cookies with a creamy latte, chai, or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate comforting combo. They’re also wonderful as a sweet finish to a savory brunch spread—think fruit salad, eggs, or yogurt parfaits.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a few cookies in a parchment-lined bakery box and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. Arrange them on a pedestal cake stand for a “wow” effect at baby showers, holiday brunches, or breakfast-for-dinner nights. Or, for a fun after-school treat, serve them warm with shot glasses of cold milk for dunking.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Coffee Cake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The streusel stays perfectly crumbly, and the cookies remain soft and bakery-fresh—if they last that long!

Freezing

Baked cookies freeze beautifully—simply arrange them in a single layer, freeze until firm, then stack in a container between sheets of parchment for up to 2 months. Alternatively, freeze unglazed cookies and add the glaze after thawing for best texture.

Reheating

To refresh Coffee Cake Cookies, warm them for 10 seconds in the microwave or 2-3 minutes in a 325°F oven. This revives their soft texture and brings the cinnamon aroma flooding back—just like fresh-baked!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for a new favorite treat (or an excuse to eat cookies for breakfast), these Coffee Cake Cookies are about to become your go-to. They’re warm, nostalgic, and just a little bit indulgent—bake a batch and share the love with everyone around your table!

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