If you love the warm, comforting flavors of your favorite coffee cake but want to enjoy them in a fun, handheld form, this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is going to be your new obsession. These cookies combine the tender crumb of classic coffee cake with a cinnamon-sugar crumb topping, all packed into each cookie bite. Perfectly soft and slightly crisp around the edges, these coffee cake cookies bring the bakery right to your kitchen, promising smiles and satisfied sweet cravings with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here plays an essential role in creating that signature coffee cake cookie experience. From the rich butter to the aromatic cinnamon, these simple kitchen staples blend to deliver amazing flavor and texture.
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature: Adds richness and helps create a tender cookie base.
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar: Gives a subtle molasses depth and soft chewiness.
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Infuses each bite with that unmistakable warm spice.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness and elevates flavors.
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour: Forms the base of both dough and crumb topping for perfect texture.
- 10 tablespoons butter, room temperature: Essential for the crumb topping’s buttery flakiness.
- 1/3 cup vegetable shortening: Helps keep crumb topping crisp and light.
- 1 cup light brown sugar: Adds rich sweetness to the crumb layer.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Gives the crumb topping just the right amount of crispness.
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: More warm spice to crown the cookies beautifully.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the dough while making cookies tender.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings out the warm flavors and rounds out the profile.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Ensures perfect rise without heaviness.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Another pinch of salt for balanced sweetness.
- 3 1/3 cups all purpose flour: Forms the sturdy yet tender dough body of the cookies.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for dusting: Adds a delicate sweet finish and bakery-like charm.
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Crumb Topping
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking. Whip together the crumb topping ingredients in a medium bowl, cutting the butter and shortening into the sugars, cinnamon, and flour with a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly but evenly mixed. Pop this in the fridge to firm up while you move on to the cookie dough.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar over medium speed until luxuriously smooth and combined. Add the cinnamon, eggs, and vanilla and mix until everything is folded in perfectly. Then, gently mix in your baking powder, salt, and flour on low until a soft dough forms that holds together beautifully.
Step 3: Shape and Fill Your Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto your lined baking sheet. If you’re using a spoon, roll them into rounded balls. Then use your thumb or the back of a spoon to make a small well in the center of each dough ball—this will be the perfect nest for the crumb topping.
Step 4: Add the Crumb Topping
Spoon generous amounts of the chilled crumb topping into each cookie’s indentation. Don’t be shy—press it lightly so it sticks but leaves that irresistible streusel mound topping. This step is what transforms these from simple cookies to a coffee cake experience!
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 9 to 10 minutes until the edges start to take on a golden shade. Let them rest on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, finish off your Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe with a dusting of powdered sugar, mimicking the look of a delicate bakery treat.
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a lovely touch, dust these cookies with powdered sugar just before serving. You can also drizzle a bit of vanilla glaze or lightly sprinkle chopped nuts on top to add visual interest and a flavor boost that complements the cinnamon crumb topping perfectly.
Side Dishes
These cookies are divine alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a creamy latte, making them ideal for a cozy breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. Pair them with fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream if you want to elevate the serving into a light dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe on a pretty cake stand or arrange them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of jam and honey nearby. You might also serve them in a decorative tin as a heartfelt homemade gift that friends and family will treasure.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your coffee cake cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and flavorful for up to 3 days, making them perfect for a little sweet treat anytime.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They can be kept frozen for up to 2 months, making it easy to enjoy your Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked warmth, simply microwave individual cookies for 10-15 seconds or pop them into a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This will refresh their soft texture and bring back that irresistible aroma, just like freshly made!
FAQs
Can I substitute the vegetable shortening in the crumb topping?
Yes! You can replace vegetable shortening with an equal amount of additional butter for a richer flavor, though the topping may be slightly less crisp. Some also experiment with coconut oil as a dairy-free alternative, which adds a subtle twist.
How do I prevent the crumb topping from falling off the cookies?
Press the crumb topping firmly into the indentation you make in the cookie dough before baking. This ensures it adheres as the dough bakes and the cookies settle.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The recipe as written uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that measures like all-purpose flour, you can experiment and see how the texture turns out.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. This can enhance the flavors as the ingredients meld, plus makes for easy baking whenever you’re ready.
Why is there both brown sugar and granulated sugar in the recipe?
The combination of brown and granulated sugar balances moisture and texture. Brown sugar adds chewiness and depth, while granulated sugar helps with crisp edges and a refined sweetness that is just right for coffee cake cookies.
Final Thoughts
This Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is such a joyful way to bring the comforting charm of coffee cake into cookie form, perfect for sharing or savoring all by yourself. They’re simple to make, bursting with flavor, and sure to become a staple whenever you crave something sweet and warm. I truly hope you get to bake these soon and make some special memories around a batch of these cozy, crumb-topped delights!
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Coffee Cake Cookies combine the tender, buttery goodness of classic coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie. Featuring a cinnamon-sugar crumb topping nestled in the center of each cookie, these treats offer a perfect balance of soft, moist dough and a crunchy, flavorful streusel. Ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a comforting snack, these cookies bake quickly at 350°F and yield a large batch that’s perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Crumb Topping
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Cookie Dough
- 10 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 1/3 cups all purpose flour
For Finishing
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Make the Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the crumb topping ingredients—room temperature butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and all-purpose flour. Use a pastry cutter or fork to mix until the crumb topping is evenly combined with a sandy texture. Refrigerate this mixture while you make the cookie dough to help it retain its texture during baking.
- Mix the Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter, vegetable shortening, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until creamy and smooth.
- Add Flavor and Leavening: To the creamed mixture, add the ground cinnamon, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until evenly combined. Then lower the mixer speed and add baking powder, kosher salt, and all-purpose flour. Continue mixing until the dough comes together uniformly.
- Form the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough for each cookie onto the prepared baking sheet. Shape the dough balls with a spoon or your hands, creating a small indentation or well in the center of each for the crumb topping.
- Add Crumb Topping: Spoon at least 2 tablespoons of the chilled crumb topping into the well of each cookie dough ball, pressing lightly so it adheres well. You can add as much crumb topping as possible to maximize the crunch and flavor in every bite.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the centers are set.
- Cool and Finish: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheet for 3 minutes to firm up. Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once cooled, lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar to add a touch of sweetness and a classic coffee cake finish.
Notes
- Using room temperature butter helps achieve a smooth and creamy crumb topping and dough.
- Chilling the crumb topping before baking ensures that it maintains a crumbly texture without melting into the dough.
- If you do not have vegetable shortening, you can substitute with an equal amount of additional butter for a richer flavor, though the texture may slightly differ.
- For easier portioning and consistent size, use a cookie scoop to form dough balls.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
