Enjoy warm, tender Coffee Cake Cookies bursting with cinnamon and crumb topping, perfect for cozy mornings and sweet cravings. These delightful treats marry the comforting flavors of classic coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie, creating a handheld indulgence that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee or looking for a snack that satisfies your sweet tooth, Coffee Cake Cookies are an absolute must-try that brings a touch of comfort and nostalgia to your day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Comfort Flavor: Each cookie delivers the perfect blend of cinnamon, sugar, and buttery crumb topping reminiscent of your favorite coffee cake.
Easy to Make: With simple pantry staples and straightforward steps, these cookies come together quickly for any skill level.
Perfect for Mornings or Snacking: Ideal to pair with coffee, tea, or enjoy on their own anytime your sweet cravings hit.
Soft, Tender Texture: Unlike many traditional cookies, these have a moist crumb that melts in your mouth.
Great for Sharing: These cookies make wonderful gifts or additions to brunch spreads and gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple yet essential, each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the rich, tender, and flavorful Coffee Cake Cookies. From the cinnamon that warms every bite to the buttery crumbs that provide that signature topping, these pantry staples work together beautifully.

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure for tender yet sturdy cookies.
Baking powder and baking soda: Help the cookies rise for a light, fluffy texture.
Cinnamon: The heart of the flavor profile, bringing warmth and spice.
Butter: Adds richness and contributes to that soft crumb.
Sugar (granulated and brown): Combined for sweetness and moisture, giving depth and chewiness.
Egg: Binds ingredients while adding moisture and tenderness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a sweet aromatic touch.
Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweet cinnamon notes.
Optional nuts or raisins: If you want added texture and bursts of flavor.

Variations for Coffee Cake Cookies

Feel free to get creative! This recipe is wonderfully adaptable whether you’re adjusting for dietary needs or adding your own twist to suit your favorite flavors.

Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend for a safe and delicious alternative.
Swapping cinnamon: Try pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg for a different but cozy spice profile.
Add chocolate chips: For an indulgent twist that balances spice with sweet cocoa.
Nutty upgrade: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts to add crunch and earthy flavor.
Vegan tweak: Use plant-based butter and flax eggs to enjoy these cookies without animal products.

Best Coffee Cake Cookies for Cozy Mornings

How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices, which helps the cookies rise uniformly and have consistent flavor.

Step 2: Make the crumb topping

Mix cold butter pieces with brown sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon until crumbly. This mixture will be used for the topping and a swirl inside the cookie dough, delivering that signature coffee cake crunch.

Step 3: Cream the butter and sugars

In a separate large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process traps air for a softer cookie texture and balances the sweet profile with buttery richness.

Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. These add moisture and enhance the aromatic sweetness, bringing all the flavors together.

Step 5: Incorporate sour cream and dry ingredients

Alternate adding the flour mixture and sour cream to the creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Stir gently to maintain tenderness without over-mixing, which can toughen the cookies.

Step 6: Assemble the cookies with crumb topping

Spread half the cookie dough in your baking dish, sprinkle half the crumb topping over it, then add the remaining dough and crumb topping. This layering creates a pleasing texture and visual crumb swirl in each cookie.

Step 7: Bake and cool

Bake the cookies in a preheated oven until golden and set, then let cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to develop and the crumb topping to set perfectly.

Pro Tips for Making Coffee Cake Cookies

Use room temperature ingredients: This helps create a smoother batter and even baking.
Don’t overmix the dough: Overworking flour can make the cookies tough rather than tender.
Chill the crumb topping: Cold butter in the topping keeps it crisp and crumbly rather than melting into the dough.
Adjust cinnamon to taste: Feel free to increase or reduce spice levels depending on your preference.
Watch your baking time: Cookies continue to cook slightly after removal, so remove just as edges turn golden for best texture.

How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies

Garnishes

Sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle a simple vanilla glaze on top to amplify the sweetness and add a pretty finish for presentation.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee, chai tea, or hot chocolate to embrace that cozy morning vibe fully.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a few cookies on a rustic wooden platter with fresh fruit or a small bowl of cream cheese spread for an inviting brunch platter your guests will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to keep freshness and softness intact.

Freezing

Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes or microwave for 15 to 20 seconds to revive that fresh-baked warmth and soft texture.

FAQs

Can I make Coffee Cake Cookies dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free yogurt or coconut cream instead of sour cream for a delicious dairy-free version.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

The classic recipe uses all-purpose flour, but you can swap in a gluten-free flour blend to make Coffee Cake Cookies suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

When stored properly in an airtight container, Coffee Cake Cookies remain fresh for up to 4 days at room temperature and up to 2 weeks refrigerated.

Can I add nuts or fruit to the recipe?

Absolutely! Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add crunch, and dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries add little bursts of natural sweetness.

Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Definitely! The straightforward steps and simple ingredients make Coffee Cake Cookies perfect for first-time bakers and those looking for a quick, satisfying bake.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a homemade treat that feels both nostalgic and new, and Coffee Cake Cookies deliver just that. Soft, cozy, and full of comforting cinnamon crumb goodness, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your baking rotation. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to these delightful cookies that brighten any morning or snack time!

Coffee Cake Cookies

Print Recipe

Warm, tender Coffee Cake Cookies bursting with cinnamon and crumb topping, blending the comforting flavors of classic coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie. Perfect for cozy mornings, snacking, and sharing, these cookies feature a soft, moist crumb and a sweet buttery crumb topping for a nostalgic indulgence.

Author: Elena
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Crumb Topping

½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

Optional Add-ins

½ cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices for uniform rising and consistent flavor.
Make the crumb topping: Mix cold butter pieces with brown sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon until crumbly. This mixture will be used both as a topping and swirled inside the cookie dough to deliver the signature coffee cake crunch.
Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This traps air to create a softer cookie texture and balances sweetness with buttery richness.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, adding moisture and aromatic sweetness to bring all the flavors together.
Incorporate sour cream and dry ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream to the creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Stir gently to maintain tenderness without over-mixing, which can toughen the cookies.
Assemble the cookies with crumb topping: Spread half the cookie dough in your baking dish, sprinkle half the crumb topping over it, then layer the remaining dough and crumb topping on top. This layering creates a pleasing texture and a visual crumb swirl in each cookie.
Bake and cool: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and set. Let cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to develop and the crumb topping to set perfectly.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and even baking.
Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender rather than tough.
Keep the crumb topping cold to maintain its crisp and crumbly texture.
Adjust cinnamon quantity according to your taste preference.
Remove cookies from oven when edges are golden, as they continue to cook slightly after baking.
For dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and dairy-free yogurt or coconut cream.
Gluten-free flour blend can replace all-purpose flour for gluten sensitivity.
Optional mix-ins like nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips add extra texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 180
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: Coffee Cake Cookies, cinnamon cookies, crumb topping, cozy cookies, gluten-free coffee cake cookies, soft cookies, cinnamon sugar cookies