There is something irresistibly delightful about Coffee Cake Cookies that perfectly captures all the warm, cozy flavors of your favorite coffee cake in one hand-held treat. These cookies boast a buttery, cinnamon-swirled streusel center enveloped by a soft, tender dough, finished with a sweet vanilla glaze that ties every bite together beautifully. Whether you’re enjoying a slow morning or want to impress friends at your next gathering, Coffee Cake Cookies bring everything you love about a classic coffee cake into a fun, portable form that’s begging to be shared and savored.

Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Coffee Cake Cookies lies in their simple yet carefully curated ingredients, each playing a crucial role in delivering the perfect flavor and texture. From the blend of flours that create a tender crumb to the cinnamon and brown sugar streusel that adds warmth and crunch, every element matters.

All purpose flour (1/2 and 1 1/4 cups): Provides the necessary structure to hold the cookie together without toughness.
Cake flour (3/4 cup): Adds softness and lightness to the cookie dough for a delicate crumb.
Brown sugar (1/3 and 1/2 cups, packed): Imparts a deep, molasses flavor that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
Cinnamon (2 tsp. plus 1 tsp.): The star spice for that classic coffee cake warmth throughout the streusel and dough.
Salt (pinch and 1/2 tsp.): Enhances all flavors by balancing the sweetness.
Unsalted butter (softened 5 Tbsp., cold 8 Tbsp., melted 2 Tbsp.): Key to ultimate richness and the crumbly streusel texture.
Cornstarch (1 tsp.): Keeps the cookies soft and tender by minimizing gluten formation.
Baking soda and baking powder (each 1/2 tsp.): These leavening agents provide the gentle lift that keeps the cookie from feeling dense.
Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Adds a subtle sweetness and crunch in the dough.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp. plus 1 tsp. for icing): Brings aromatic sweetness that rounds out the flavor profile.
Egg and egg yolk (1 large each): Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients for a soft texture.
Heavy cream or milk (3 Tbsp.): Enriches the icing to create a smooth drizzle.
Powdered sugar (1 cup): The foundation for the sweet glaze that finishes the cookies.

How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Filling

Let’s start by making that heavenly streusel that will star inside each cookie. Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Then work in the softened butter using your fingers until small clumps form. Chilling the streusel ensures it stays firm and crumbly when baked, giving you that signature texture contrast.

Step 2: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets

Heat your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Having everything ready ahead makes the actual cookie assembly smooth and stress-free.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients for Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This blend creates a tender dough that still holds the rich streusel filling perfectly.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat cubed cold butter with brown and granulated sugars until smooth and creamy. This step builds the base for a smooth, buttery cookie dough.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. These ingredients provide moisture and flavor depth, essential for a tender cookie that is anything but dry.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time. Mixing until just combined keeps the dough delicate and soft, perfect for biting into.

Step 7: Form the Cookies

Roll the dough into about 8 large balls for chunky cookies or smaller ones for more servings, roughly 22 to 24 cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets ready to be filled.

Step 8: Add Streusel Filling

Make an indent in each dough ball using your thumb or the end of a spoon. Fill each indentation with about 1 tablespoon of the chilled streusel. This core of cinnamon-sweet filling is what makes Coffee Cake Cookies shine.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 8 to 11 minutes until the edges just start getting golden but the cookies are still soft. Pull them out a little early so they finish baking on the parchment — this keeps them moist and tender.

Step 10: Shape the Cookies (Optional)

Right after baking, you can gently swirl the cookies using a circular cutter or glass to smooth out edges for a clean, uniform look — a neat trick I love for an extra polished presentation.

Step 11: Cool the Cookies

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

Step 12: Drizzle the Vanilla Icing

Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, melted butter, heavy cream or milk, and a pinch of salt for a lush glaze. Drizzle this over the cooled Coffee Cake Cookies and watch them become irresistibly inviting.

How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies

Garnishes

A sprinkle of additional cinnamon or a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a lovely visual and taste boost. You might also try chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for some extra crunch that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon flavors.

Side Dishes

Pair your Coffee Cake Cookies with a steaming cup of coffee, chai latte, or even a creamy hot chocolate. These drinks echo the cookie’s warm cinnamon notes and create a cozy experience perfect for any time of day.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve them as part of a brunch spread alongside fresh berries and whipped cream, or arrange them on a dessert platter with other fall-inspired treats. Packaging them in a pretty box or simple cellophane bag tied with twine makes a wonderful homemade gift that friends and family will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Coffee Cake Cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft and prevents them from drying out, perfect for enjoying over the next few days without losing any magic.

Freezing

You can freeze un-iced cookie dough balls or fully baked cookies. For dough, freeze on a baking sheet then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, layer parchment between them in a suitable container to avoid sticking, and enjoy them fresh whenever you want a sweet treat.

Reheating

To revive frozen or day-old Coffee Cake Cookies, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes their softness and enhances the buttery aroma, making them taste freshly baked again.

FAQs

Can I use all purpose flour only for this recipe?

Yes, if you don’t have cake flour, you can substitute all purpose flour. However, using a mixture of all purpose and cake flour helps achieve that tender, soft texture that makes Coffee Cake Cookies so special.

Is it necessary to chill the streusel filling?

Chilling the streusel makes it easier to handle and helps it maintain its crumbly texture inside the warm cookie. It prevents the butter from melting too quickly and keeps that perfectly crisp bite you’re aiming for.

Can I make the recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute dairy butter and milk with plant-based alternatives like margarine or coconut oil and almond milk, respectively. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

How should I store iced Coffee Cake Cookies?

Store iced cookies in a single layer in an airtight container to avoid smudging the glaze. Leaving them uncovered can cause the icing to dry out or stick to the container sides.

Why are there two types of flour in the dough?

The combination of all purpose flour and cake flour balances structure and tenderness. All purpose provides strength so the cookies hold their shape, while cake flour adds softness for a melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Final Thoughts

Once you try these Coffee Cake Cookies, I promise they’ll become your new favorite go-to for an easy yet indulgent treat. They carry all the comforting flavors of classic coffee cake in a perfectly portable cookie form that’s ready to brighten up any coffee break or gathering. So go ahead, dive into this recipe, and share the love — your taste buds and your friends will thank you!

Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 22 reviews

Author: Matteo
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 22–24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Coffee Cake Cookies combine the rich, buttery flavors of classic coffee cake with the perfect cookie texture. Featuring a cinnamon streusel filling and a sweet vanilla glaze, these cookies are soft, moist, and bursting with warm spice flavors—ideal for breakfast or an indulgent afternoon snack.

Instructions

Prepare the Streusel Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use your fingers to work in the softened butter until small clumps form. Refrigerate the mixture until ready to use.
Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
Mix Dry Ingredients for Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars: Place the cubed cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Cream on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until fully combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed and mix again.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture about 1/4 cup at a time. Mix on low speed until just combined.
Form Cookies: Scoop the dough and roll into roughly eight large balls, or smaller if you prefer about 22-24 cookies in total. Place the balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
Create Indentations: Using your thumb, the end of a spoon, or a floured wooden juicer, press an indent into the center of each cookie ball to hold the streusel filling.
Fill and Bake: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the chilled streusel filling into each cookie indentation. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes or until the cookie edges are set and slightly golden. Remove just before fully done to keep cookies moist.
Optional Shaping: Immediately after removing from the oven, place a circular cookie cutter or drinking glass around each cookie and gently spin to smooth out uneven edges and create a perfect circle.
Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare and Drizzle Icing: Whisk together the melted butter, heavy cream or milk, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Drizzle the icing over cooled cookies and enjoy.

Notes

For best results, use cake flour and cornstarch as specified to achieve a tender crumb.
Do not overbake; cookies should be pulled when edges are just set for a soft center.
Refrigerate the streusel filling to keep the butter firm for easy scooping.
You can substitute milk for heavy cream in the icing for a lighter glaze.
The optional shaping step helps create uniform cookies but can be skipped if desired.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert, Cookies
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximate)
Calories: 150 kcal
Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 90 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg

Keywords: coffee cake cookies, cinnamon streusel cookies, soft cookies, glazed cookies, breakfast cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies