
Coffee Sugar Cookies combine the sweet, buttery texture of classic sugar cookies with a rich, aromatic coffee flavor, creating a delightful treat for coffee lovers. These soft and chewy cookies are the perfect balance of sweetness and coffee, making them an ideal snack to enjoy with your morning coffee or to serve at a gathering. The subtle coffee flavor adds depth to the traditional sugar cookie while keeping the beloved softness and chewiness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love coffee, then these Coffee Sugar Cookies are a must-try. The combination of coffee and sugar creates a cookie that’s rich, comforting, and flavorful. The dough is simple to make, and the cookies bake up soft and chewy with a slightly crisp edge. Whether you’re hosting a coffee-themed party, looking for a unique dessert to serve with your afternoon tea, or just craving something with a little caffeine kick, these cookies are the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 tablespoon instant coffee granules (or finely ground coffee)
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 tablespoon milk (or water to dissolve the coffee)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
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Dissolve the Coffee: In a small cup, dissolve the instant coffee granules in the tablespoon of milk or water. Stir well until completely dissolved.
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Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer or a whisk until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and the dissolved coffee mixture until fully combined.
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Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
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Form the Cookies: Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and then roll each ball in sugar to coat. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
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Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
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Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 24 cookies
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
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Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
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Add Chocolate Chips: For a mocha twist, stir in 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough before baking.
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Spiced Coffee: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a spiced coffee flavor.
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Coffee Glaze: Drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple coffee glaze made by mixing powdered sugar with brewed coffee for an extra coffee kick.
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Coffee Liqueur: Add a teaspoon of coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa) to the dough for a more intense coffee flavor and a hint of sweetness.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. These cookies will stay soft and chewy.
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Freezing: To freeze the dough, scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the dough balls to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
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Reheating: If the cookies get too firm, reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their softness.
FAQs
1. Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee?
Yes, you can substitute brewed coffee for the instant coffee, but keep in mind that it may make the dough a bit wetter. If you use brewed coffee, reduce the amount of milk in the recipe slightly.
2. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend that measures 1:1 in place of the all-purpose flour.
3. Can I make these cookies with decaf coffee?
Absolutely! You can use decaffeinated instant coffee if you want the flavor without the caffeine.
4. How do I know when these cookies are done?
The cookies are done when the edges are golden and the centers are set. They should look slightly puffed but soft to the touch. Be careful not to overbake them, as they’ll harden as they cool.
5. Can I add nuts to these cookies?
Yes, you can add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough for added texture and flavor.
6. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Let the dough come to room temperature before rolling it into balls and baking.
7. Can I use a different sweetener instead of granulated sugar?
Yes, you can substitute granulated sugar with alternatives like coconut sugar, brown sugar, or even a sugar substitute like stevia. Just keep in mind that the texture and flavor might change slightly.
8. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure the dough is chilled slightly before baking, and avoid overmixing the dough. If needed, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help prevent excessive spreading.
9. How do I keep these cookies soft?
Store the cookies in an airtight container to retain moisture. You can also place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies to help keep them soft.
10. Can I add icing to these cookies?
Yes! A simple powdered sugar glaze with a bit of brewed coffee or milk can be drizzled over the cookies for added sweetness.
Conclusion
These Coffee Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat for coffee lovers who enjoy the comforting flavors of a warm, chewy cookie with a rich coffee twist. The combination of sweet sugar and bold coffee creates a delightful balance, while the soft, chewy texture makes each bite irresistible. Whether you’re enjoying them with your morning coffee, gifting them to a friend, or serving them at a gathering, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
PrintCoffee Sugar Cookies
Coffee Sugar Cookies combine the sweet, buttery texture of classic sugar cookies with a rich, aromatic coffee flavor. These soft, chewy cookies are the perfect balance of sweetness and coffee, making them an ideal snack or dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules (or finely ground coffee)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk (or water to dissolve the coffee)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small cup, dissolve the instant coffee granules in the tablespoon of milk or water. Stir well until completely dissolved.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer or a whisk until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and the dissolved coffee mixture until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls and then roll each ball in sugar to coat. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
For a mocha twist, stir in 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough before baking.
If you like a spiced coffee flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
For a more intense coffee flavor, drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple coffee glaze made from powdered sugar and brewed coffee.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg