Name: Coffee Cake Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 44 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the cookies:; 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; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; For the crumb topping:; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed; For the glaze (optional):; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1–2 tsp milk; 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

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Coffee Cake Cookies are the perfect blend of a soft, chewy cookie base and a buttery cinnamon streusel topping—just like my favorite slice of coffee cake, but in cookie form. With a touch of vanilla glaze drizzled on top, these cookies are warm, nostalgic, and totally irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how these cookies pack the classic flavor of coffee cake into a portable, shareable dessert. The cookie itself is soft and tender, almost like a sugar cookie, while the crumb topping adds the perfect crunch and spice. Whether I’m baking for brunch, holidays, or just to enjoy with my morning coffee, these always feel like a treat.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookies:

Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt

For the crumb topping:

Brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Ground cinnamon
Unsalted butter (cold and cubed)

For the glaze (optional but highly recommended):

Powdered sugar
Milk
Vanilla extract

Directions

I start by making the crumb topping: I combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon, then cut in the cold butter until it forms coarse crumbs. I chill this while making the dough.
For the cookie dough, I cream together butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Then I mix in the egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, I whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then gradually mix it into the wet ingredients until just combined.
I scoop out the dough onto a baking sheet, slightly flattening each ball. Then I press a generous pinch of crumb topping onto each cookie.
I bake until the edges are golden and the centers are just set.
Once the cookies cool, I drizzle them with a quick vanilla glaze for that classic coffee cake finish.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 18 cookies. It takes me 20 minutes to prepare and about 12–14 minutes to bake each batch. I let them cool for 10 minutes before glazing.

Variations

Sometimes I add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for a nutty twist. I’ve also mixed a bit of espresso powder into the cookie dough for a deeper, coffee-forward flavor. Around the holidays, I use maple or almond extract in the glaze for something different.

Storage/Reheating

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep the topping crisp, I avoid stacking them. If I want to reheat, I microwave one for about 8 seconds—it brings the softness right back. These also freeze well; I just let them thaw at room temperature and glaze after thawing.

FAQs

Do these cookies taste like coffee?

No, the “coffee” in coffee cake refers to the type of cake traditionally served with coffee. I’ve added espresso before for a real coffee flavor, but it’s not required.

Can I skip the glaze?

Yes, but I love the glaze—it adds that final touch of sweetness. If I skip it, I might sprinkle a little extra brown sugar on top before baking.

How do I keep the crumb topping from falling off?

I press the topping gently but firmly into the dough before baking, so it sticks well as the cookies rise and spread.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. I refrigerate the dough for up to 48 hours or freeze the dough balls and crumb topping separately to bake fresh later.

What’s the texture of these cookies like?

They’re soft in the center with slightly crisp edges, and the streusel adds a sweet, crumbly contrast on top.

Conclusion

Coffee Cake Cookies are one of those comforting bakes I keep coming back to. They’re cozy, satisfying, and always a hit whether I’m serving them at a gathering or enjoying one with my morning brew. Once I made them, they earned a permanent spot in my cookie rotation.