If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy the cozy, comforting flavor of coffee cake in a perfectly portable, hand-held treat, I have just the recipe for you. These Coffee Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Crumble Recipe pack all the warm cinnamon, buttery crumb topping, and tender chewiness into one delightful bite that you and your family will absolutely adore. Whether you’re serving them up for an afternoon coffee break or a weekend brunch treat, these cookies hit the spot every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Texture: Chewy, tender cookies with a crisp cinnamon crumble topping that’s just heavenly.
- Easy to Make: Uses simple ingredients and basic mixing steps—great for bakers of all levels.
- Versatile Enjoyment: Ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, anytime you need a cozy pick-me-up.
- Flavor Explosion: The cinnamon-spiced crumb with a sweet glaze will have everyone asking for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love how this Coffee Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Crumble Recipe uses classic pantry staples to create such a rich, comforting flavor without any fuss. A few tips on what to buy: make sure your butter is unsalted for better control over saltiness, and try to have your eggs and butter at room temperature for the best mixing and texture.
- Butter: Unsalted is best to balance sweetness and control salt; soften it before mixing.
- Brown Sugar: Use packed brown sugar to add moisture and that deep caramel flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds crispness to the cookies and balances the brown sugar’s moisture.
- Egg and Egg Yolk: Room temperature eggs help the dough blend smoothly, and the yolk adds tenderness.
- Vanilla Extract: Essential for enhancing the warm flavors.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Work together to give a light rise and soft crumb.
- Salt: Accentuates flavor—don’t skip it!
- Cinnamon: The star spice that makes these truly coffee cake-inspired.
- Cornstarch: Helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure without weighing the cookies down.
- Powdered Sugar: For the glaze to drizzle a little sweet finish.
- Milk: Just a splash to loosen the glaze to perfect drizzle consistency.
Variations
I’ve found that this recipe is really forgiving and fun to personalize. Whether you want to make it a bit healthier, add a flavor twist, or cater to dietary needs, you’ll have no trouble tweaking it to your liking. Here are some ideas to get you started!
- Add Nuts: I love tossing chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble topping for some extra crunch and warmth.
- Gluten-Free Version: Swap in a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend; just keep an eye on texture and add a touch more cornstarch if needed.
- Spice it Up: Try mixing in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom along with cinnamon for a cozy fall twist.
- Vegan Adaptation: Use coconut oil or vegan butter, plus an egg substitute like flax or chia egg, and you’re all set!
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Crumble Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Pop the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed. I usually let it whip for 3 to 4 minutes until it’s light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like—that’s when you know you’ve got a good base for soft cookies.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add your egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until everything is smooth and fully combined—this helps keep the dough from getting tough. I always make sure my eggs are room temperature beforehand; it makes a noticeable difference in the batter’s consistency.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Carefully
Slowly add your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cornstarch. The trick here is not to overmix. I usually stop stirring once I still see a few small flour patches left in the bowl—that keeps the dough tender rather than dense. Trust me on this one; overworking is the enemy of soft cookies.
Step 4: Shape the Dough and Add Cinnamon Crumble
Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough into balls—you should get about 11 cookies. Place six on each baking sheet, and here’s a little secret I learned: flip the back of the cookie scoop or use your fingers to gently press an indention into each ball. This is where the cinnamon crumble topping will nestle beautifully.
Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Crumble
Mix the extra flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Add the soft butter and blend with a fork or your fingers until it clumps into crumbly goodness. Generously fill the indentions on each cookie with this crumb topping for that ultimate coffee cake vibe.
Step 6: Bake and Shape
Bake the cookies for 9 to 12 minutes, or until you see the edges just turning golden brown. Right after pulling them from the oven, I like to run a spoon or spatula gently around the base of each to round them out perfectly. Let the cookies cool completely on the layers before moving on to glazing.
Step 7: Drizzle the Glaze
Mix together powdered sugar, cinnamon, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to get a smooth glaze. Drizzle this over the cooled cookies for a sweet finish that seals in all those flavors. Now, dig in and enjoy the magic of coffee cake in cookie form!
Pro Tips for Making Coffee Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Crumble Recipe
- Soft Butter Matters: Using slightly softened butter (not melted) creates the perfect texture in both dough and crumble—don’t rush this step.
- Room Temperature Eggs: I learned that cold eggs make the batter seize up and don’t combine well.
- Don’t Overmix Flour: Stopping when you still see a few flour spots ensures cookies stay tender, not tough.
- Shape Cookies While Warm: Spreading or smoothing the cookies right after baking helps you get that classic round coffee cake shape every time.
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Crumble Recipe
Garnishes
I enjoy sprinkling a little extra cinnamon sugar or even some chopped toasted nuts on top after glazing to add texture and a dash of elegance. A light dusting of powdered sugar also looks beautiful if you want to keep it simple but festive.
Side Dishes
These cookies are delicious on their own, but when I serve them alongside a hot cup of coffee or chai tea, it elevates the experience. For brunch, they’re a hit paired with fresh fruit or creamy yogurt.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I like arranging these cookies on rustic wooden platters with sprigs of fresh rosemary or cinnamon sticks for a warm, inviting touch. Layering them in pretty cookie tins makes a lovely gift too—trust me, friends and family will be thrilled.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The crumble topping stays delightfully crisp, and the cookies retain their soft chewiness. Just be sure they’re fully cooled before storing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
I’ve had great success freezing the cookie dough balls—flash freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake fresh from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time for equally yummy cookies anytime.
Reheating
If you want to revive the cookies a bit, pop them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This warms them through and brings back a little crispness in the crumble while keeping the inside soft and tender.
FAQs
-
Can I make these Coffee Cake Cookies without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! You can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a sturdy spoon or spatula. Just be sure to cream the butter and sugars well to incorporate enough air, which is essential for that light, fluffy cookie texture.
-
What’s the role of cornstarch in this recipe?
Cornstarch helps make the cookies tender and soft by inhibiting gluten formation and absorbing moisture. It’s a little trick I discovered that really sets these cookies apart from your average cinnamon-cookie experience.
-
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, you can! The cookies are tasty on their own with the cinnamon crumble topping, but the glaze adds a lovely sweet finish and a bit of moisture that complements the crumb perfectly.
-
How should I store leftover cookies with glaze?
Because of the glaze, store cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent sticking. You can separate layers with parchment paper if stacking is necessary.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how these Coffee Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Crumble Recipe bring together all the best parts of coffee cake into a cookie form that’s so easy to share and enjoy. The combination of soft, chewy cookie with the crunchy cinnamon topping and sweet glaze always makes my kitchen smell like comfort. Whether you’re baking them for a cozy morning or a special treat, they never disappoint. I promise, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a go-to favorite in your house too.
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Crumble Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 11 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Coffee Cake Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with a warm cinnamon flavor. Topped with a sweet brown sugar crumb and finished with a cinnamon glaze, they combine the best aspects of classic coffee cake and cookies. Perfect for a cozy treat with coffee or tea, these cookies are easy to make and sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 egg yolk (room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
Crumb Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 4 tbsp butter (softened)
Cinnamon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Good sprinkle of cinnamon
- 1-2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, place the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugars. Mix on low speed until smooth and fully combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Slowly add in the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cornstarch, and 1¾ cups of the flour. Mix gently on low speed, taking care not to overmix. Stop mixing when you still see some flour remnants around the bowl.
- Form cookie dough balls: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop 3-tablespoon sized dough balls and place six on each prepared cookie sheet. Use the backside of the scoop or your fingers to create an indentation in the center of each dough ball.
- Make crumb topping: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the softened butter and mix with a fork or your fingers until crumbly and all ingredients come together.
- Top cookies with crumb topping: Take a handful of crumb topping and press it firmly into the indentation of each cookie dough ball.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Immediately after removing from the oven, run a spoon or spatula around each cookie to help shape a perfect circle. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets.
- Prepare glaze: While cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and drizzleable.
- Glaze the cookies: Drizzle the cinnamon glaze over the cooled cookies. Allow glaze to set slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious coffee cake cookies!
Notes
- These cookies combine cinnamon-spiced dough with a buttery crumb topping and a sweet cinnamon glaze for a treat reminiscent of coffee cake.
- Make sure eggs are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and soft.
- If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with vegan butter and use a milk alternative in the glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 287 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 68 mg