The Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is the perfect blend of a tender, moist cookie with the nostalgic flavors of a classic coffee cake. Imagine biting into a soft, cinnamon-spiced cookie crowned with a buttery crumb topping that melts in your mouth—every bite feels like a comforting hug alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea. This treat takes all the best elements of coffee cake and transforms them into an irresistible cookie form, making it easier than ever to enjoy those cozy flavors anytime you want.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet crucial for delivering that perfect balance of moistness, spice, and crumbly topping that defines this recipe. Each component plays an essential role, whether providing rich texture, warm spices, or buttery crumble goodness.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives the dough its creamy richness and moist texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while ensuring a tender crumb.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a hint of caramel flavor and extra chewiness.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and help the cookies rise.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cookies.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to give a gentle lift and perfect texture.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the cookies with that signature coffee cake spice.
- Sour cream: Keeps the cookies incredibly moist and tender.
- Chopped nuts (optional): Walnuts or pecans add a delightful crunch when folded in.
- Brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon (for topping): Combine to make the irresistible crumbly topping.
- Cold butter (for topping): Cut into the topping to create that classic crumb texture.
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and clean up is a breeze.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter together with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process is key to creating a tender cookie base that isn’t dense.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract, which enhances the sweetness and warmth of the cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This evenly distributes your leavening agents and spice, ensuring consistency throughout the batter.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream into Wet Mixture
Alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Be gentle and mix just until combined to prevent overworked dough, which can lead to tougher cookies.
Step 6: Fold in Nuts (Optional)
If you like a bit of crunch, gently fold in your choice of chopped walnuts or pecans. They add a lovely contrast in texture and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
Step 7: Prepare the Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This crumb topping is what truly sets the Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe apart, adding a buttery, sweet crunch.
Step 8: Shape the Cookies
Drop spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons) of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them enough to allow slight spreading. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over each mound of dough for that signature coffee cake effect.
Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the topping is crisp and golden. This signals they are perfectly baked—moist inside with a delightfully crunchy topping.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they firm up slightly. Move them onto a wire rack to cool completely and resist the urge to dig in immediately—though we won’t blame you if you do!
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar on top just before serving for an extra touch of sweetness and a pretty finish. You can also add a drizzle of vanilla glaze or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent twist.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even a creamy latte. Serving alongside fresh fruit, such as sliced apples or berries, can bring a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun gathering, arrange Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe pieces on a rustic wooden board with assorted nuts and fruit preserves. Alternatively, sandwich two cookies with a cinnamon cream cheese filling to create irresistible mini cookie cakes everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and maintains the delicate crumb topping’s crunch, so you can enjoy fresh-baked flavor later on.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag after they’re firm. They keep well for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To warm up your cookies, pop them in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This revives that freshly baked warmth and melty buttery crumb topping beautifully.
FAQs
Can I omit nuts in this Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! The nuts are optional and can be left out without compromising the overall taste and texture. The cookies will still be moist and flavorful with the cinnamon crumb topping shining through.
What’s the role of sour cream in this recipe?
Sour cream adds moisture and richness while keeping the cookies tender. Its slight tang also balances the sweetness, making the flavors more complex and satisfying.
Can I use another spice instead of cinnamon?
While cinnamon is classic here, you can experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom for a unique twist. Just remember to adjust the amount as some spices are stronger than others.
How large should I make the cookies?
Using about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie is ideal to get a nice balance of soft interior and crumb topping without them spreading too much during baking.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. However, results may vary slightly in texture, so it’s best to use a blend that includes xanthan gum or a similar binder.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a cozy, charming treat that brings the best of breakfast vibes into snack time, the Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. Each bite delivers warmth, spice, and buttery crumble in a way that feels like a special little indulgence. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to enjoy a batch of cookies that will quickly become a favorite in your home.
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Coffee Cake Cookies combine the rich, buttery flavor of classic coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie. Featuring a tender, moist dough with a sour cream base and warm cinnamon, topped with a crunchy, buttery crumb topping and optional nuts, these cookies are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in batches, alternating with the sour cream. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the dough.
- Fold in Nuts: If you choose to use nuts, gently fold the chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Make Crumb Topping: In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter pieces using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This topping adds a crunchy, sweet finish.
- Scoop Cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading.
- Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over each dollop of cookie dough, covering the tops generously for that classic coffee cake texture.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the crumb topping is crisp and golden.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter for creaming and cold butter for the crumb topping.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape better.
- Feel free to substitute nuts or leave them out altogether based on preference or allergies.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container will keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- These cookies can be frozen before or after baking for longer storage.
