Coffee Cake Cookies

Coffee Cake Cookies are the perfect blend of soft-baked cookies and classic coffee cake. They feature a cinnamon-sugar cookie base topped with buttery streusel crumble and finished with a drizzle of sweet glaze. These cookies bring all the cozy, spiced flavor of a coffee cake into a handheld treat—ideal for breakfast, dessert, or sharing with a cup of coffee.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Combines the comforting taste of coffee cake in cookie form
  • Perfectly soft with a crumbly, cinnamon topping
  • Freezer-friendly and great for gifting
  • Quick and easy to make with pantry staples
  • Kid-friendly and great for brunch spreads or holiday trays

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Cookie Dough

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • ground cinnamon
  • unsalted butter (softened)
  • granulated sugar
  • light brown sugar
  • egg
  • vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

  • all-purpose flour
  • light brown sugar
  • ground cinnamon
  • unsalted butter (cold and cubed)

Glaze (optional)

  • powdered sugar
  • milk or cream
  • vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, make the streusel: combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
  4. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined.
  6. Scoop dough onto the baking sheet (about 1.5 tbsp per cookie), flatten slightly, and top generously with streusel.
  7. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet.
  8. Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled cookies, if desired.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 18–20 cookies
  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Bake time: 10–12 minutes
  • Total time: 25–30 minutes

Variations

  • Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel
  • Mix in mini cinnamon chips to the dough for extra spice
  • Substitute almond extract for vanilla in the glaze
  • Add a dash of nutmeg for added warmth

Storage/Reheating

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days
  • Refrigerate for up to 1 week
  • Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months; thaw and glaze before serving
  • To reheat, microwave for 10 seconds to soften

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for longer storage.

How do I get the streusel to stick?

Press it lightly into the dough before baking so it stays on top.

Can I skip the glaze?

Yes, but it adds a nice sweet finish. You can also dust with powdered sugar.

What flour works best?

All-purpose flour is ideal for the right texture.

Can I make them gluten-free?

Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for best results.

Are these cookies soft or crunchy?

They’re soft-baked with a slight crisp from the streusel.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely—just use two baking sheets or bake in batches.

Do they need to be refrigerated?

No, but refrigerating can extend freshness for a few extra days.

What’s the best way to glaze?

Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the glaze once cookies are fully cooled.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter is preferred for flavor and texture, but margarine can work in a pinch.

Conclusion

Coffee Cake Cookies are a delightful treat that captures the essence of your favorite bakery-style coffee cake in every bite. With their tender crumb, cinnamon swirl, and sweet glaze, they’re perfect for any occasion—from brunch to holiday cookie trays. Once you try these, you’ll want to keep a batch ready for cozy mornings and afternoon pick-me-ups alike.

Print

Coffee Cake Cookies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Coffee Cake Cookies are soft, cinnamon-spiced cookies topped with a buttery crumb streusel and finished with a vanilla glaze — the perfect treat that tastes like a slice of coffee cake in cookie form.

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 18 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • For the streusel topping:
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • For the glaze:
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 12 tbsp milk
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
  5. To make the streusel, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cold butter in a bowl. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until crumbly.
  6. Scoop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet (about 2 tablespoons per cookie), flatten slightly, and press some streusel onto each one.
  7. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over cooled cookies.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for 15–20 minutes if it’s too soft to handle.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Try adding a pinch of nutmeg to the dough for extra spice depth.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Sodium: 85mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star