Name: Coffee Cake Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-486857H5M21S
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the cookie dough:; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; For the streusel topping:; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 tbsp melted butter; For the glaze:; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tbsp milk or cream; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Coffee Cake Cookies are everything I love about a classic coffee cake—soft, cinnamon-spiced dough, buttery crumb topping, and a sweet drizzle of icing—all in the form of a handheld treat. They’re warm, cozy, and perfect for pairing with a cup of coffee or tea any time of day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love these cookies because they bring all the comfort and flavor of coffee cake without the need to bake a whole pan. The soft, cake-like base is rich and tender, the streusel topping adds that signature crumbly crunch, and the glaze ties it all together with a sweet finish. They’re ideal for brunch, gifting, or just treating myself.

Ingredients

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

For the cookie dough:

Unsalted butter, softened
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Ground cinnamon

For the streusel topping:

All-purpose flour
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon
Melted butter

For the glaze:

Powdered sugar
Milk or cream
Vanilla extract

Directions

I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
To make the streusel topping, I mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl until crumbly, then set it aside.
In a large bowl, I cream the softened butter with both sugars until light and fluffy.
I beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon, then gradually mix it into the wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
I scoop the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, flattening them slightly.
I press a spoonful of the streusel topping into the center of each cookie.
I bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are golden.
Once cooled slightly, I drizzle the cookies with glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 16 cookies. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare, 10–12 minutes to bake, and a few extra minutes to cool and glaze—so I usually have them ready in about 30 minutes.

Variations

Sometimes I add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for a nutty crunch. I’ve also made a maple glaze by swapping the milk for maple syrup. For an extra cinnamon kick, I sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the glaze. If I want them more cake-like, I add a spoonful of sour cream to the dough.

Storage/Reheating

I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They also freeze well—unglazed or glazed—and I just let them thaw at room temperature when ready to serve. If I want to warm them up, a quick 5–10 seconds in the microwave works great.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, I refrigerate the dough for up to 48 hours. I just let it sit at room temp for a few minutes before baking.

Do these cookies taste like coffee?

No, the name comes from pairing them with coffee, like traditional coffee cake. But I’ve added espresso powder to the dough for a coffee-flavored version.

Why did my streusel melt into the cookie?

That can happen if the butter was too hot or the streusel too fine. I make sure the topping is crumbly and coarse before adding it.

Can I use a different glaze?

Absolutely. I’ve used cream cheese glaze, maple glaze, and even a brown butter glaze depending on the mood.

How do I keep the cookies soft?

I store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them from drying out, just like with regular cookies.

Conclusion

Coffee Cake Cookies are one of my favorite treats when I want something warm, spiced, and bakery-worthy without much effort. With their soft centers, crunchy topping, and sweet glaze, they’re the perfect bite-sized version of a classic coffee cake—and they never last long once they hit the table.