Imagine all the comforting flavors and textures of a classic coffee cake, but in a perfectly portable, delightfully chewy cookie form. That’s exactly what you get with these incredible Coffee Cake Cookies. Each bite offers a symphony of cinnamon, buttery streusel, and a soft, tender cookie base. They’re not just cookies; they’re an experience, meticulously crafted with a rich cinnamon filling and crowned with an irresistible crunchy streusel topping. Get ready to elevate your baking game with a treat that truly stands out.

While these cookies might require a touch more effort than your average chocolate chip cookie, I wholeheartedly promise you, they are absolutely worth every moment. Each Coffee Cake Cookie boasts a perfectly spiced cinnamon cookie base, cradling a decadent cinnamon butter filling, and, of course, a generous layer of crunchy streusel on top. Baked at a precise high temperature, they achieve that coveted combination of a slightly crisp exterior and a wonderfully gooey, soft interior. Prepare for a truly unforgettable treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe!

If you’re a fan of the comforting flavors and textures found in streusel-topped delights, you absolutely must explore these other fantastic recipes. They offer unique twists on classic coffee cake and cookies, promising equally delightful results for your baking adventures:

• The Very Best Gingerbread Coffee Cake Cookies
• The Most Moist Banana Coffee Sheet Cake
• The Best And Splendid Glazed Pumpkin Coffee Cake
• The Best Blueberry Buckle Cake

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a thoughtfully designed dessert that brings together the best of both worlds. Here’s what makes this particular Coffee Cake Cookies recipe an absolute must-try:

• Perfect Cinnamon Balance: The star of the show, cinnamon, is perfectly balanced here. It’s present in the cookie dough, the luscious filling, and the crunchy streusel, ensuring a warm, inviting spice in every single bite. The sweetness from the sugars complements the spice, creating a harmonious flavor profile that isn’t overwhelmingly sweet.
• Unbelievably Chewy and Soft: It’s a common dilemma: do you want a chewy cookie or a soft one? With these cookies, you don’t have to choose! Thanks to a carefully formulated dough and the inclusion of cornstarch, these cookies boast both a delightful chewiness and an incredibly soft, tender crumb. They’re truly the best of both worlds, melting in your mouth while offering satisfying resistance.
• Irresistibly Delicious: Fair warning: these cookies are highly addictive. Their unique combination of textures and flavors makes them impossible to resist. You’ll find yourself reaching for “just one more” until the plate is empty. In fact, they’re so good, you might just need to share them to prevent eating the entire batch yourself!
• Signature Crumb Topping: Just like a traditional coffee cake, the crunchy streusel topping is a game-changer. It adds a crucial textural contrast to the soft cookie and creamy filling, making each bite exciting. This crumb topping, a personal favorite, provides that delightful crunch and buttery cinnamon flavor that truly seals the coffee cake deal.

Essential Ingredients: Your Coffee Cake Cookies Grocery Checklist

While many of the ingredients for these delightful Coffee Cake Cookies are likely staples in your pantry, a quick review is always helpful. For a complete, detailed list of quantities, please refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this page. Here are some key ingredients and why they matter:

• Unsalted Butter: This recipe calls for a total of two sticks of unsalted butter. Using unsalted butter is crucial as it gives you complete control over the salt content in your cookies. Make sure to use cold butter for the streusel and cubed, cold butter for the cookie dough, as temperature plays a vital role in texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: An absolute non-negotiable! High-quality ground cinnamon is essential to infuse the distinct warmth and aroma that defines these coffee cake cookies. Ensure your cinnamon is fresh for the most vibrant flavor.
• Brown Sugar (Light or Dark): I typically opt for light brown sugar, which provides a lovely caramel note and moisture. However, dark brown sugar can also be used for a more pronounced molasses flavor and an even chewier texture. Both contribute to the cookies’ rich taste and soft consistency.
• Cornstarch: This secret ingredient is key to achieving that wonderfully soft and chewy texture that sets these cookies apart. Cornstarch helps tenderize the dough, preventing them from becoming dry or overly crumbly.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie base. Always measure your flour correctly (preferably by weight or by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling) to avoid dry, dense cookies.
• Large Egg & Egg Yolk: The large egg provides structure and richness, while the extra egg yolk contributes to the cookie’s chewiness and helps create a tender crumb. Ensure they are at room temperature for better emulsification with the butter and sugar.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding depth and a comforting aroma. Use good quality vanilla for the best results.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents work together to give the cookies their perfect rise and a soft, airy texture while maintaining chewiness.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the full flavor of the cinnamon and butter.

Crafting Your Coffee Cake Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s dive into the exciting process of making the delicious cookie base for your Coffee Cake Cookies. Following these steps carefully will ensure a perfect dough foundation for your filled and streusel-topped masterpieces.

1. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, meticulously combine your all-purpose flour, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed. This step ensures that the leavening agents and spices are well-dispersed, leading to a consistent texture and flavor throughout your cookies. Set this mixture aside.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the cubed cold butter and both granulated and brown sugars. Cream these ingredients together on medium speed for approximately 3 minutes. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes noticeably lighter in color, fluffy, and smooth. This creaming process is essential for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ light and tender texture.
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: After creaming, use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, ensuring everything is well combined. Add in the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed just until these wet ingredients are fully incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture. Avoid overmixing at this stage to prevent developing too much gluten, which can lead to tough cookies. Scrape down the bowl again for good measure.
4. Slowly Mix in the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the reserved dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on low speed only until the flour streaks have just disappeared and the dough comes together. Overmixing the flour will activate too much gluten, resulting in a dense, dry, and less tender cookie. Stop as soon as it’s combined.

Assembling Your Masterpiece: How to Build Coffee Cake Cookies

Now for the fun part – bringing all the delicious elements together! Assembling your Coffee Cake Cookies is a unique process that creates the layered effect we’re after. Follow these steps for perfect results:

1. Scoop the Cookie Dough: Using a medium cookie scoop (like this one), scoop out uniform portions of cookie dough. Roll each portion gently between your palms to form 12 smooth balls. Consistent sizing is important for even baking.
2. Flatten the Cookie Disks: Once you have your 12 dough balls, gently flatten each one with the palm of your hand into a small, uniform disk. These disks will serve as the top and bottom layers for our filled cookies.
3. Start Assembling the Filled Core: Take one of your flattened cookie disks and place a small dollop (about 1-2 teaspoons, depending on your preference) of the prepared cinnamon filling directly in the center. Carefully take another cookie disk and place it on top of the filling, sandwiching it in.
4. Seal and Roll: Gently pinch the edges of the two cookie disks together, working your way around to completely seal the filling inside. Once sealed, gently roll the assembled dough into a smooth ball again. This process will result in 6 larger, filled cookies from your original 12 disks.
5. Add the Streusel Topping: Take a generous amount of your prepared cinnamon streusel topping and gently pat it onto the top surface of each assembled cookie ball. Press lightly to ensure the streusel adheres well and doesn’t fall off during baking. You want a good, visible layer of that delicious crumb!
6. Chill for Perfection: This step is crucial and cannot be skipped. Place your assembled and streusel-topped cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate them for at least 4 hours, or ideally, overnight. Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading, allows the flavors to meld, and contributes to that desirable chewy texture.
7. Bake and Glaze: Once your cookies are thoroughly chilled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the cold cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, spaced adequately apart, and bake for 12-15 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, and the centers should still look slightly soft. Once baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. While they cool, quickly whisk together your simple sugar drizzle ingredients. Drizzle generously over the warm cookies and serve!

Essential Tools for Baking Perfect Coffee Cake Cookies

Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience, especially when creating something as layered and delightful as these Coffee Cake Cookies. Here are some of the essential tools I recommend for this recipe:

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Coffee Cake Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality Coffee Cake Cookies is easier than you think with these expert tips. Pay attention to these details for the best possible results:

• Master the Creaming Process: Creaming the cold butter with the sugars is arguably the most critical step. It’s not just about mixing; it’s about incorporating air. Undercooking will result in flat, overly spread cookies, lacking that desirable light texture. Keep creaming until the mixture is truly light, fluffy, and significantly paler in color.
• Always Sift Your Dry Ingredients: For the smoothest dough and most consistent texture, always sift your dry ingredients together. This breaks up any lumps in the flour, cornstarch, and leavening agents, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Do Not Overmix the Flour: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix on the lowest speed possible and only until the flour is *just* incorporated. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense, and less tender cookies.
• Chilling is Non-Negotiable: The prolonged chilling time (at least 4 hours, preferably overnight) is crucial. It allows the butter to firm up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also gives the flavors a chance to deepen, resulting in a more complex and delicious cookie.
• Room Temperature Eggs: While the butter for creaming is cold, ensure your eggs are at room temperature. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with fats and sugars, leading to a smoother, more uniform batter and a better cookie texture.
• Use Quality Parchment Paper: A good quality parchment paper is your best friend in baking. It prevents sticking, ensures even browning on the bottom, and makes cleanup a breeze. Here are my favorite parchment paper liners.
• Don’t Overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy inside. Bake them until the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly underdone. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
• Cooling Time: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to firm up slightly, preventing breakage, and continues the gentle cooking process.

Storing and Freezing Your Coffee Cake Cookies

To keep your Coffee Cake Cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is key. Whether you’re enjoying them now or saving some for later, here’s how to do it right:

Store these baked Coffee Cake Cookies at room temperature in an airtight container. They will remain wonderfully fresh and soft for up to 5 days. For the best texture, ensure they are completely cooled before placing them in the container to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.

Freezing Coffee Cake Cookies

These cookies are perfect for freezing, either as raw dough or fully baked, allowing you to enjoy a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes!

• To Freeze Cookie Dough Balls: After assembling and topping the cookies with streusel (Step 6 of assembly), arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer the solid dough balls to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the date. When ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen, adding an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time.
• To Freeze Baked Cookies: Allow the baked and glazed cookies to cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be stored for up to 6 months. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Coffee Cake Cookies

Have questions about making these delicious Coffee Cake Cookies? Here are some common queries and helpful answers to ensure your baking success:

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
  While unsalted butter is recommended for precise control over salt levels, you can use salted butter. If you do, omit the added salt in the cookie dough recipe or reduce it by about ¼ teaspoon.
• Why did my streusel topping melt or disappear?
  This usually happens if the butter in the streusel was too soft, or if the cookies weren’t sufficiently chilled before baking. Ensure the butter for the streusel is cold and cut into pea-sized pieces, and always chill the assembled cookies for at least 4 hours.
• My cookies spread too much! What went wrong?
  Excessive spreading can be due to several factors: butter being too warm during creaming, not chilling the dough long enough, or incorrect flour measurement (too little flour). Make sure your butter is firm when creaming, and strictly adhere to the chilling time.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time?
  Absolutely! The cookie dough (without the filling or streusel) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The assembled and streusel-topped cookies can be chilled overnight or frozen as described in the “Storing and Freezing” section.
• What’s the best way to get uniform cookie sizes?
  Using a cookie scoop (as mentioned in the “Tools” section) is the easiest way to ensure all your cookies are the same size. This leads to more even baking and a professional look.

Creative Variations for Your Coffee Cake Cookies

These Coffee Cake Cookies are fantastic as is, but don’t hesitate to get creative with these delightful variations:

• Add Nuts to the Streusel: For an extra layer of crunch and flavor, finely chop some pecans or walnuts and mix them into your streusel topping.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with additional warm spices! A pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice can complement the cinnamon beautifully in both the cookie dough and the filling.
• Chocolate Swirl: For chocolate lovers, consider adding a teaspoon of mini chocolate chips to the cinnamon filling before sealing the cookies.
• Lemon Glaze: Instead of a simple sugar drizzle, create a tangy lemon glaze using powdered sugar and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The bright citrus pairs wonderfully with cinnamon.
• Cream Cheese Filling: For an even more decadent experience, substitute the cinnamon butter filling with a small dollop of sweetened cream cheese filling (cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a touch of vanilla).

I am confident you’ll absolutely adore this recipe for Coffee Cake Cookies. If you try it, please remember to come back and leave a review, rating it for me! Your feedback means the world.

Here are some more delectable recipes you should definitely add to your baking list – perfect for any occasion!

• Simple Red Velvet Cake Recipe
• The Best Ever Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake
• Simple and Flavorful Brown Butter Pear Cake

Recipe

Coffee Cake Cookies

Molly Murphy

Taking all the good parts of coffee cake and a chewy cookie with these cinnamon, buttery streusel cookies. Filled with a cinnamon filling and topped with a crunchy streusel.

5 from 10 votes

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine cookies

Servings 9

Ingredients

 

 

For the crumb topping

• 5 tablespoon unsalted cold butter cut to pea size.
• 3 tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoons Cinnamon
• ⅔ cup All Purpose Flour

For the cinnamon filling

• 3 tablespoons butter room temp or softened
• ¼ cup brown sugar packed
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Cookie Dough

• 8 tablespoon cold butter unsalted, cut into cubes
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt

Drizzle

• 1 cup powder sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• Dash Vanilla

Instructions

 

For the topping and filling

• In a medium-size bowl, using your hands, mix all the ingredients until they are combined and have a “shaggy” look. There should be no flour streaks. Set aside.
• To make the filling, combined the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon and mix with a small spoon until it forms a paste. Set aside.

For the cookies

• In a medium size bowl, combine the all purpose flour, corn starch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the cubed butter and sugar on medium speed and lighter in color and smooth looking. About 3 minutes.
• With a rubber spatula scrape down the sides and bottom of the bow. Add in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix on low just until mixed. Scrape the bottom and sides.
• Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low just until incorporated.
• Using a medium cookie scoop, like this one. Scoop and roll the cookie dough into 12 balls. Once they are into balls, gently flatten the cookies with the palm of your hand.
• To assemble the cookie, grab one of the flatten cookie disk and place a small dollop of the cinnamon filling on top of the cookie. Take another disk and place it on top. Gently pinch the sides and gently roll into a ball. You will get a total of 6 cookies.
• Take the cinnamon streusel and gently pat on to the top of the cookie. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Once the cookies have chilled, preheat your oven to 375 and place the chilled cookie dough and bake for 12-15 minutes. Once the cookies are done, let them sit for 5-10 minutes and make the sugar drizzle.
• To make the drizzle, combine both ingredients and stir. For a ticker glaze, add more sugar, and for a thinner, add more milk. Drizzle on top of the cookies and serve!

Keyword coffee cake, cookies, cinnamon

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