Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe
If you love the cozy flavors of coffee cake and the comfort of a cookie rolled into one, then this Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine biting into a soft, buttery cookie with that classic cinnamon streusel center and a drizzle of sweet icing on top – it’s pure magic. I can’t wait to share all the tips and tricks so you nail these every single time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Texture: The mix of all-purpose and cake flour creates a tender yet sturdy cookie base that holds the streusel perfectly.
- Streusel Surprise: The cinnamon-sugar streusel in the center adds that quintessential coffee cake flavor and a delightful crumbly texture contrast.
- Simple Ingredients: Using everyday pantry staples means you can whip it up anytime without a special shopping trip.
- Customizable Icing: The vanilla glaze not only adds sweetness but can be easily tweaked to your preference for richness or drizzle style.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each component in this Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to create that perfect cozy, cinnamon-infused treat. The blend of flours builds a soft crumb, while the cold butter ensures a tender, buttery bite that melts in your mouth. Let’s break down why every ingredient matters.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure to the cookies; spooning and leveling helps keep the dough balanced for a soft texture.
- Cake Flour: Adds tenderness and a delicate crumb that mimics classic coffee cake.
- Cornstarch: Helps create a lighter texture by softening the proteins in the flour.
- Cinnamon: The star flavor in both the cookie and streusel – don’t skimp on it!
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Together, they provide the right amount of rise and lightness.
- Cold Butter: Crucial for flakiness; cutting it into cubes and keeping it cold prevents greasy cookies.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and a slight caramel depth, while granulated sugar helps with crisp edges.
- Egg & Egg Yolk: For richness, moisture, and binding everything perfectly.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the warm flavors without overpowering them.
- Streusel Ingredients: Flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter – simple but magic when combined into those buttery, crumbly pockets.
- Icing Ingredients: Butter, powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt come together to form that silky, sweet drizzle that finishes the cookie off just right.
Tweak to Your Taste
The beauty of this Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I love to add a little crunch or toast up some nuts for an extra personalized touch. Don’t hesitate to experiment—you might find a new favorite twist!
- Add Nuts: I sometimes stir in chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for a nutty crunch that tastes amazing.
- Switch up the Spice: Instead of cinnamon, try adding cardamom or nutmeg to the streusel for a seasonal spin.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Using a gluten-free flour blend works nicely here – just keep an eye on the dough’s hydration as it might be slightly different.
- Use Coconut Sugar: To reduce refined sugar, I’ve swapped brown sugar with coconut sugar and it adds a lovely caramel hint.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe
Step 1: Making the Streusel Filling – It’s Your Cookie’s Heart
First things first, let’s create the streusel so it’s ready to go when your dough is mixed. In a medium bowl, I combine all the dry streusel ingredients—flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt—and then work in softened butter with my fingers. You want small, crumbly clumps, not a paste. Pop this in the fridge while you prep the cookie dough; chilling helps it hold shape when baked. A quick tip: Make the streusel a day ahead if you want to save time, it gets even better as the flavors meld.
Step 2: Preheat & Prepare for Baking
Set your oven to a hot 400°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This high heat helps the cookies develop that slight golden edge while keeping centers tender.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients for the Cookie Dough
Whisk together your all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Mixing these well upfront means your dough rises evenly and has a consistent texture. I usually taste a pinch of the dry mix (don’t worry, it’s safe!) just to make sure the cinnamon is nicely balanced.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars – The Base of Flavor
In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle, toss in the cold, cubed butter along with brown and granulated sugars. Cream on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth but not melted. That cold butter is what keeps these cookies buttery and soft, so resist over-creaming!
Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla – The Richness Boost
Drop in your egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, then blend until everything is nicely combined. I always stop to scrape down the bowl with a spatula here — no ingredient left behind means better texture.
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Gradually
Add your dry mix a little at a time, about a quarter cup per addition, mixing just until combined each time. Overworking can make the cookies tough, so keep it gentle. Once everything’s in, your dough should feel soft but hold its shape when scooped.
Step 7: Shape, Fill & Bake
Roll the dough into about 8 large balls (or smaller if you prefer more cookies). Place each on your baking sheet and use your thumb or a floured spoon handle to make a good-sized indent in the center. Spoon roughly a tablespoon of chilled streusel into each hollow. Bake for 8-11 minutes, watching for edges to set and color slightly golden. My trick? Pull them out just before you think they’re done since residual heat finishes baking without drying them out.
Step 8: Optional Shape Touch-Up & Cooling
If you want a perfectly round cookie, immediately after baking I place a large circular cookie cutter or glass around the cookie and gently spin it—it smooths out edges nicely. Let the cookies rest 5 minutes on the sheet before moving to a rack to cool completely. This step keeps them from breaking.
Step 9: Drizzle the Icing & Enjoy!
Whisk together melted butter, your choice of cream or milk, powdered sugar, vanilla, and just a pinch of salt. Once cookies are fully cool, drizzle this over the top with a spoon or piping bag. This sweet finish balances all that cinnamon goodness perfectly. Trust me, it’s worth the little extra step!
Pro Tips for Making Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe
- Chill Streusel and Dough: Keeping streusel chilled helps maintain distinct clumps that bake into a beautiful crumb topping.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies look slightly underdone when you pull them out; they finish baking on the hot pan and stay soft inside.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: For even cookies, I use a large cookie scoop to portion dough – saves time and guarantees uniform baking.
- Flour Your Tools: When making indents for the streusel, lightly flour the tool (thumb, spoon, or wooden stick) to avoid dough sticking and tearing.
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of additional cinnamon sugar over the icing for an extra sweet crunch and a touch of color contrast. Sometimes, I even top with a few toasted chopped pecans for texture and a nutty note that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with a strong cup of coffee (go figure!), a creamy latte, or even a chilled glass of milk if you want to keep it simple and nostalgic. For brunch, I like serving with fresh fruit or yogurt to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve arranged these cookies on a tiered cake stand with fresh flowers and sprigs of cinnamon sticks for a cozy vibe. You can also dip half in melted white or dark chocolate and chill them for a fancy touch that impresses every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they usually stay fresh for about 3 days. If you want to maintain that just-baked softness, adding a slice of bread into the container helps keep moisture balanced.
Freezing
This Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe freezes beautifully. I freeze baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a sheet pan, then transfer them to a sealed bag or container. They hold wonderfully for up to 3 months, making them an easy make-ahead treat.
Reheating
To revive frozen cookies, I let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes and pop them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes the soft texture and warms the streusel filling without drying the cookie.
FAQs
-
Can I make the streusel filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! The streusel can be mixed and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. This actually helps the flavors meld and makes assembling the cookies quicker.
-
What if I don’t have cake flour?
If cake flour isn’t on hand, you can substitute by measuring out all-purpose flour, removing 2 tablespoons per cup, and replacing it with 2 tablespoons cornstarch. This mimics the softness cake flour provides.
-
How do I prevent the streusel from melting into the cookie?
Chilling the streusel before adding it to the cookie dough and creating a well-defined indent for the filling ensures the streusel holds its shape during baking and doesn’t blend entirely with the dough.
-
Can I skip the icing?
Of course! The cookies are delicious without the icing. But I recommend giving it a try at least once—the sweetness and creamy texture really highlight that coffee cake vibe.
-
Why use both baking soda and baking powder?
Using both helps balance the rise—baking powder gives an initial lift while baking soda ensures browning and tenderness, which together create that perfect cookie texture.
Final Thoughts
This Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s like the ultimate hug in cookie form. Every time I bake them, the whole kitchen smells like my favorite coffee shop and brings that sweet comfort we all crave. I’m so excited for you to try this recipe—you’ll love sharing these with friends or sneaking a few with your morning coffee. Honestly, once you bake these, you might want to keep them all for yourself!
Print
Coffee Cake Cookie Delight Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 8 large cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Coffee Cake Cookies that combine the crumbly streusel topping of a classic coffee cake with the chewy texture of a cookie. Topped with a sweet vanilla icing, they make a perfect treat for coffee time or dessert.
Ingredients
Streusel
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 5 Tbsp softened unsalted butter
Cookie Dough
- 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 unsalted butter, 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
Icing
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare the streusel: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use your fingers to work in the softened butter until small clumps form. Refrigerate the streusel while you prepare the dough.
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Heat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cold cubed butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the vanilla extract, egg, and egg yolk to the butter-sugar mixture and blend until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure even incorporation.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing each addition until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Shape cookies: Scoop and roll the dough into approximately 8 large balls (or smaller for up to 24 cookies) and place them evenly on the prepared baking sheets.
- Indent and add streusel: Make an indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb, the back of a spoon, or a floured wooden juicer. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the prepared streusel into each indentation.
- Bake cookies: Bake for 11 minutes or until the edges are set and slightly golden. Remove from oven a bit early to avoid over-baking, as they will continue cooking on the pan.
- Optional shaping: Immediately after baking, place a circular cookie cutter or glass around the cookie and gently spin to smooth the edges for a perfect round shape.
- Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare icing and drizzle: Whisk together melted butter, heavy cream (or milk), powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Once cookies are cooled, drizzle the icing over the tops and serve.
Notes
- Make the streusel up to three days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Doubling the streusel allows extra topping for garnish after baking; heat treat the flour by baking it at 350°F for 7 minutes to ensure safety.
- Ice the cookies only after they are completely cool to avoid melting the icing.
- For added texture, mix shredded coconut or chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
