Name: Coffee Cake Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup all purpose flour (For creating a crumbly texture); 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed (Adds sweetness and moisture); 2 tsp cinnamon (Brings warmth and flavor); pinch salt (Enhances the overall flavor); 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (Provides richness); 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour, spooned and leveled (Main flour for the cookie base); 3/4 cup cake flour, spooned and leveled (Adds tenderness to cookies); 1 tsp cornstarch (Helps create a tender texture); 1 tsp cinnamon (For flavor in cookie base); 1/2 tsp baking soda (Leavening agent); 1/2 tsp baking powder (Leavening agent for fluffiness); 1/2 tsp salt (To balance sweetness); 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes (Provides a rich buttery flavor); 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (Adds depth of flavor); 1/4 cup granulated sugar (For sweetness); 1 tsp vanilla extract (Enhances flavor); 1 large egg (Binder for the dough); 1 large egg yolk (Adds richness); 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (For sweetness in glaze); 1 tsp vanilla extract (Flavoring for the glaze); pinch salt (To enhance sweetness); 3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk (Liquid for glaze texture)

A delightful twist on a beloved classic, Coffee Cake Cookies bridge the gap between a soft, crumbly cookie and the rich flavors of your favorite coffee cake. These treats are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, offering all the comforting taste of coffee cake in a convenient, portable form. With a delightful streusel filling and a sweet glaze, each bite will remind you of cozy mornings spent sipping coffee and enjoying the warmth of home-baked goods.

Incorporating those nostalgic flavors into your baking repertoire is not only satisfying but also allows you to share joy with family and friends. The delightful blend of sugars, cinnamon, and buttery richness creates a satisfying texture that is simply irresistible. Baking these cookies brings the traditional elements of coffee cake, such as the crumbly streusel topping, into the cookie format, making them perfect for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients and prepare to indulge in these wonderful Coffee Cake Cookies that will quickly become a favorite in your household.

Why make this recipe

Making Coffee Cake Cookies is a fantastic choice for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, they are a deliciously unique offering that sets itself apart from standard cookies and cakes. Their flavor profile is reminiscent of the traditional coffee cake, characterized by the spice of cinnamon and the sweetness of brown sugar, making them an instant hit with those who are fond of the classic breakfast treat. These cookies manage to capture the essence of a coffee cake, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth that is ideal for any time of the day.

Another reason to make this recipe is the ease of preparation. With straightforward ingredients and simple steps, anyone can whip up a batch of these delectable cookies without needing advanced baking skills. The process of making the streusel filling adds a delightful layer of texture that elevates the cookies beyond standard fare, creating an exciting treat that feels special. Perfect for gatherings, these cookies can be packaged up as gifts or served at brunches, making them an excellent treat to showcase your baking talents.

How to make Coffee Cake Cookies

To make these luscious Coffee Cake Cookies, start off by preparing the streusel filling, which is the star of the show. The rocky, crumbly texture pairs beautifully with the soft cookie base, creating a delightful contrast in each bite. Mix together all-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt along with softened unsalted butter until you achieve a crumbly mixture. Once combined, pop the streusel into the refrigerator to allow it to firm up while you work on the cookie dough.

Next, it’s time to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This will help ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly. In a separate bowl, combine both all-purpose and cake flours, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, giving them a good mix before setting this aside. Then, in a stand mixer, cream the cold cubed butter with both brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. The cold butter helps create a tender texture, mimicking that of traditional coffee cake nicely.

With the butter and sugar mixture ready, mix in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. Then, gradually add in your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, ensuring everything is well blended and forms a stiff cookie dough. This dough is vital for holding the streusel filling later. Once the dough is scooped onto your prepared sheets, make a small indent in the center of each cookie to hold the filling.

Now, take your chilled streusel filling and place a spoonful in the indents you created earlier. This step is crucial, as it is what gives these cookies their authentic coffee cake flavor profile. Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for about 8-11 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. Once they are done baking, let them cool slightly before drizzling with a glaze made from powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. This final touch adds a lovely sweetness that ties the whole treat together.

Ingredients

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch salt
5 Tbsp. softened butter, unsalted
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. cold butter, unsalted, 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
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
3 Tbsp. heavy cream or milk
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch salt

Directions

Prepare the streusel filling by mixing flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and softened butter until crumbly; refrigerate.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine flours, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
In a stand mixer, cream cubed cold butter with brown and granulated sugars until smooth.
Mix in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Scoop dough onto prepared sheets; make indents in each cookie.
Fill indents with streusel filling and bake for 8-11 minutes until edges are golden.
Cool slightly before drizzling with icing made from powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.

Time Breakdown

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 0 minutes
• Baking Time: 8-11 minutes
• Chilling Time: 15 minutes
• Rising Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 24 cookies

How to serve Coffee Cake Cookies

Serving Coffee Cake Cookies can be a delightful experience that brings a festive touch to any gathering. These cookies are perfect for breakfast, served warm alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea, making them an ideal start to your day or a comforting afternoon snack. Their attractive appearance, with golden edges and the lovely streusel topping visible, makes them visually appealing when presented on a colorful platter.

You can enhance your serving experience by drizzling a bit of the icing over the top, which gives an impressive shine and adds to the overall sweetness. For larger gatherings, consider placing the cookies in a decorative jar or tin and adorning it with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift that will warm hearts. They are also an inviting choice for brunches, potlucks, or festive holiday parties where everyone can enjoy a taste of home-baked goodness.

How to store Coffee Cake Cookies

To ensure your Coffee Cake Cookies remain delightful for days, proper storage is essential. Allow the cookies to cool completely after baking before transferring them to an airtight container. This is important because warm cookies can create moisture, which may lead to sogginess. Store the cookies at room temperature, where they will remain fresh for up to five days.

If you want to extend their shelf life, consider freezing the cookies. To do this, place the fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for about two hours. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a resealable plastic bag or airtight container, where they can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them briefly in the oven or microwave for that just-baked feel.

Tips to make Coffee Cake Cookies

To elevate your Coffee Cake Cookies, there are some handy tips to consider. First, be sure to use fresh spices such as cinnamon, as this will enhance the flavor of your cookies significantly. Freshly ground cinnamon can make a noticeable difference in taste compared to older jars. When combining your ingredients, measuring correctly is crucial, especially with flour. Spoon and level the flour to avoid making the dough too dense, which can lead to heavy cookies.

Consider customizing the streusel filling by incorporating chopped nuts or oats for added texture and nutty flavor. Walnuts or pecans can be wonderful additions that complement the sweetness of the brown sugar. If you’re looking to change things up, you can experiment by adding a bit of almond extract in addition to or in place of vanilla extract, giving a slightly different flavor profile to the cookies. Lastly, be mindful of the baking time; take them out of the oven just as the edges turn golden to keep them soft and chewy at the center.

Variation

No major variations, but you can adjust seasonings to taste.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 150 kcal
• Protein: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fat: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 100 mg

FAQs

Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the dough and the streusel filling in advance and refrigerate them. Bake the cookies fresh when you’re ready to serve.

Q: What can I substitute for cake flour?
A: You can substitute cake flour with all-purpose flour in a pinch, although the texture may be slightly denser.

Q: How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
A: Cookies are done when they are golden brown around the edges and a bit soft in the center; they will continue to firm as they cool.