If you adore the cozy flavors of breakfast treats and crave something you can savor anytime, these Coffee Cake Cookies are about to become your new obsession. Imagine combining the tender crumb of a coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie, all topped with a luscious cinnamon streusel and a sweet vanilla drizzle. They’re soft yet crumbly, perfectly spiced, and wonderfully comforting—ideal for sharing during a morning coffee break or indulging in a comforting afternoon snack.

Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses straightforward ingredients that come together to create that classic coffee cake flavor and texture. Each component plays a key role, from the tender flours to the buttery streusel to the delicate vanilla glaze.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and chew for both the cookie and the streusel topping.

Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a warm caramel sweetness to the streusel and dough.
Cinnamon: The aromatic spice that infuses these cookies with their signature coffee cake flavor.

Salt: Enhances all the sweet and buttery flavors while balancing the sweetness.
Butter (softened and cold, unsalted): Creates richness and that tender crumb; the cold butter in the streusel adds delightful crumble.

Cake flour: Brings a softer, lighter texture essential to mimicking coffee cake in cookie form.
Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies soft by preventing tough gluten formation.
Baking soda and baking powder: Help the cookies rise just enough to stay light and tender.

Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
Vanilla extract: Lends a warm, fragrant note both in the dough and the icing.
Egg and egg yolk: Bind the dough and add richness for that soft texture.

Heavy cream or milk: Used in the icing for smoothness and to thin it to the perfect drizzle consistency.
Powdered sugar: The base of the icing for a sweet finish that complements the cinnamon streusel.

How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Filling

Start by whisking together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Then, gently work in softened butter with your fingers until you achieve a crumbly texture with small clumps—this is your perfect streusel topping that adds the classic coffee cake crunch in the center of each cookie. Refrigerate it while you move on to the rest.

Step 2: Preheat and Line Your Baking Sheets

Set your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This ensures your beloved Coffee Cake Cookies bake evenly and come off easily without sticking.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This blend is key to giving the cookies their tender crumb and precise rise, balancing flavor and texture beautifully.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together cubed cold butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy—this step builds the rich base of your cookie dough with that irresistible buttery sweetness.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides with a spatula so all that butter and sugar mixture gets fully incorporated for an even dough.

Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add the flour mixture gradually, about a quarter cup at a time, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies soft and tender—this is the secret to those melt-in-your-mouth Coffee Cake Cookies.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Scoop and roll the dough into approximately 8 large balls, or smaller if you want more cookies (about 22 to 24). Place them spaced out on your prepared baking sheets for room to spread.

Step 8: Create an Indent for Streusel

Make a thumbprint or use the end of a spoon or spatula to press a shallow well into each cookie. I love using a wooden juicer dipped lightly in flour to prevent sticking. These indentations will hold the delightful streusel topping perfectly.

Step 9: Add Streusel and Bake

Spoon about a tablespoon of the chilled streusel filling into each indent. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, watching closely for edges to set and a gentle golden hue. Pull them a little early so the cookies remain soft and avoid dryness.

Step 10: (Optional) Shape Cookies Post-Bake

For neat, perfectly round cookies, immediately after removing from the oven, swirl each cookie within a circular cutter or drinking glass larger than the cookie. This smooth swirl rounds any rough edges as the cookie cools.

Step 11: Cool Cookies

Allow the cookies to rest on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—this settling step helps maintain their tender texture and keeps the streusel crisp.

Step 12: Drizzle Icing and Enjoy!

Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, melted butter, heavy cream (or milk), and a pinch of salt until smooth. Once the cookies are fully cooled, drizzle this luscious icing over the tops to add that final sweet touch that makes Coffee Cake Cookies truly unforgettable.

How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies

Garnishes

While the cinnamon streusel and vanilla drizzle already do the heavy lifting, you can elevate your Coffee Cake Cookies with a sprinkle of finely chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts for some crunch, or a light dusting of cinnamon powder for an extra warm aroma.

Side Dishes

These cookies are delightful on their own but pair beautifully with a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea. For a decadent brunch, serve with fresh berries and whipped cream or alongside a creamy latte for a treat that feels indulgent yet cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Coffee Cake Cookies on a rustic wooden platter or a pretty cake stand. For gifting or parties, tie a stack with twine and tuck in a cinnamon stick for charm. You can even sandwich softened cream cheese or mascarpone between two cookies for an ultra-luxe twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Coffee Cake Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days, making them perfect for a snack anytime you need a pick-me-up.

Freezing

These cookies freeze really well! After baking and cooling completely, just wrap them individually or layer with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When cravings hit, just thaw overnight at room temperature.

Reheating

To revive the freshly baked texture, warm your cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This refreshes their soft crumb and makes the streusel topping nice and crisp again.

FAQs

Can I use all all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?

Yes, you can substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour, but the texture will be slightly less tender and soft. Cake flour helps mimic that delicate crumb typical of coffee cakes, so it’s worth using if you have it on hand.

What’s the best way to store these cookies if I want them to stay soft?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread or a damp paper towel inside to maintain moisture. This simple trick helps keep them soft for longer.

Can I make the streusel filling ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, refrigerating the streusel filling until you’re ready to bake keeps the butter nice and cold, which results in a better crumbly texture when baked into the cookies.

Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or skip adding extra salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting. Unsalted butter gives you better control over the final flavor balance.

Do these cookies freeze well baked or should I freeze the dough?

Both options work well! You can freeze fully baked and cooled cookies or freeze the shaped dough balls before baking. Just thaw dough in the fridge overnight before baking as instructed.

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly satisfying about these Coffee Cake Cookies that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Their tender crumb, cinnamon streusel, and vanilla glaze come together to create a snack that’s as lovely to share as it is to enjoy alone. Give them a try—you might just find you’ve discovered your new favorite cookie!