If you’re craving a sweet, indulgent treat that combines the best of coffee cake and cookies, then Coffee Cake Cookies are the perfect solution. These cookies have a cinnamon-sugar dough, topped with a rich, buttery streusel, and finished with a smooth, vanilla icing. They’re the ideal pairing for a hot cup of coffee, making them perfect for any time of day, whether as a breakfast treat, mid-afternoon snack, or after-dinner dessert. With the warm, comforting flavors of a classic coffee cake, but in cookie form, these are sure to become a family favorite.
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Why You’ll Love These Coffee Cake Cookies
Coffee Cake Cookies are the perfect blend of two beloved desserts. They’re quick and easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and provide a comforting, cinnamon-filled taste with every bite. These cookies bring the familiar flavors of coffee cake but without the hassle of baking a full-sized cake. The combination of soft, chewy cookie dough and crunchy streusel makes every bite a delightful experience. Whether you’re serving them to guests or enjoying them yourself, these cookies are sure to impress.
Ingredients for Coffee Cake Cookies
For the Streusel:
• All-Purpose Flour: Adds structure and helps bind the streusel together for a crumbly topping.
• Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and a rich, molasses flavor to the streusel.
• Cinnamon: The key spice that adds warmth and depth to the streusel.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Gives the streusel its buttery texture and helps it crumble perfectly.
For the Cookie Dough:
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough, ensuring the right texture and chewiness.
• Cake Flour: Lighter and finer than all-purpose flour, cake flour gives the cookies a tender, delicate crumb.
• Cornstarch: Prevents the cookies from spreading too much, maintaining their shape while adding tenderness.
• Cinnamon: Adds a fragrant spice to the cookie dough that complements the streusel topping.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Help the cookies rise and spread, giving them a soft, fluffy texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich, creamy flavor to the cookies, ensuring a soft texture.
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar for flavor and moisture, and granulated sugar for crispness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Egg & Egg Yolk: These provide the structure and moisture that make the cookies chewy.
For the Icing:
• Unsalted Butter: Used in the icing to create a creamy, smooth texture.
• Heavy Cream or Milk: Helps thin the icing to the right consistency for drizzling.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the icing and helps it set nicely over the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a final touch of flavor to the icing.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness for a well-rounded finish.
Substitutes for Coffee Cake Cookies
If you’re looking for alternatives based on dietary preferences or missing an ingredient, here are some options:
- Gluten-Free Flour: Substitute the all-purpose and cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free Options: Swap unsalted butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and use a dairy-free cream for the icing.
- Nut-Free: If you prefer a nut-free recipe, simply omit any chopped nuts that could be added to the streusel.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Coffee Cake Cookies
- Prepare the Streusel: In a medium-sized bowl, combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Work in the softened butter using your fingers until the mixture forms small clumps. Refrigerate to set.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a stand mixer, cream the cold cubed butter with the brown and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, blending well. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Form the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Roll the dough into 8 large balls (or smaller if preferred). Make an indent in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the end of a spoon.
- Add the Streusel: Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the refrigerated streusel into each indent.
- Bake: Place the cookies in the oven and bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as they will continue to cook on the baking sheet.
- Cool and Ice: Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Whisk together the icing ingredients and drizzle over the cooled cookies.
Tips for Perfect Coffee Cake Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough helps maintain the shape of the cookies and enhances their chewiness.
- Refrigerate the Streusel: This ensures the streusel stays crumbly and doesn’t melt during baking.
- Perfect Icing: Always ice the cookies once they’re fully cooled to prevent the icing from melting off.
- Avoid Overbaking: Cookies continue to cook on the baking sheet once removed from the oven, so it’s best to take them out just before they look fully done.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
These Coffee Cake Cookies pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a fun twist, try adding chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) to the streusel for extra crunch. You can also experiment with flavor variations like adding apple butter or pumpkin spice to the icing for a seasonal touch.
If you’re preparing these cookies in advance, they store well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days. You can also freeze them for up to three months — just make sure to place a sheet of wax paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking.
Health Benefits and Seasonal Notes
While Coffee Cake Cookies are a decadent treat, they offer a delightful mix of warming cinnamon and rich brown sugar, making them the perfect indulgence for cozy fall mornings. With the addition of butter, these cookies provide a satisfying energy boost, ideal for a morning pick-me-up or a comforting afternoon snack.
Enjoy your Coffee Cake Cookies with family and friends, and let them become a new staple in your baking repertoire!
Conclusion: Why You’ll Fall in Love with Coffee Cake Cookies
In conclusion, Coffee Cake Cookies offer a perfect combination of sweet, warm, and comforting flavors that everyone will enjoy. With the rich cinnamon and buttery streusel, these cookies are an irresistible twist on the classic coffee cake. The soft, chewy dough, topped with a crunchy streusel and finished with a luscious icing, makes for a treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee or sharing them with loved ones, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Try making them today, and indulge in the heavenly flavors of this delightful dessert!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I store Coffee Cake Cookies?
To keep your Coffee Cake Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to layer the cookies with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the cookie dough ahead of time. After mixing, scoop and shape the dough into balls, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. When you’re ready to bake, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before adding the streusel and baking.
3. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! To make Coffee Cake Cookies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose and cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check the blend for a balanced mix of starches and flours to achieve the desired texture.
More Relevant Recipes
PrintCoffee Cake Cookies
Coffee Cake Cookies combine the best of both worlds with soft, chewy cinnamon sugar cookie dough, a buttery streusel filling, and a drizzle of powdered sugar icing. Perfect for breakfast or as a delightful dessert, these cookies bring the cozy warmth of coffee cake in an easy, handheld form.
Ingredients
- For the Streusel:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 cup cake flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- For the Icing:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare the streusel by combining flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Work in the butter until clumps form and refrigerate.
- In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, cream together cold butter and sugars until smooth. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, blending well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Scoop dough into large balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Make an indent in each cookie using your thumb or the end of a spoon.
- Spoon approximately 1 tbsp of the streusel mixture into the center of each cookie.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes or until the edges are golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Mix together the icing ingredients and drizzle over the cooled cookies.
Notes
- Chill the streusel before using to keep it crumbly.
- For extra crunch, add chopped nuts or coconut to the streusel.
- Store the cookies at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Make the dough ahead of time and chill for up to 48 hours before baking.
