If you are looking for a delightful treat that perfectly balances a tender crumb with a warm cinnamon twist, this Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies capture the comforting essence of coffee cake with a buttery streusel topping and a sweet vanilla glaze, making them absolutely irresistible for any sweet moment. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or enjoying a quiet afternoon break, these cookies bring a cozy, nostalgic feeling with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe comes from simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work harmoniously to create soft, flavorful cookies with a lovely crumb and just the right touch of sweetness. Each component plays a key role—from the combination of butter and vegetable oil giving a tender texture, to the cinnamon enhancing that signature coffee cake flavor, and the powdered sugar glaze wrapping everything up in a sweet, delicate finish.
- Softened Butter (1 cup): Essential for richness and the perfect soft texture in the cookie base.
- Vegetable Oil (1/4 cup): Adds moisture and keeps the cookies wonderfully tender.
- Brown Sugar (1 cup packed): Provides a deep caramel flavor and chewy texture.
- Large Egg (1): Binds ingredients together and gives structure.
- Vanilla (2 teaspoons): Adds sweet, aromatic undertones essential to the coffee cake taste.
- Cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Infuses each cookie with warm, spicy notes that scream cozy vibes.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft.
- Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Works alongside baking soda for leavening balance.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet and buttery flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The sturdy base that gives structure and chew.
- Butter for Streusel (1/4 cup softened): Adds buttery, crumbly texture for the topping.
- Brown Sugar for Streusel (1/4 cup packed): Adds sweetness and helps create that perfect crumbly topping.
- Flour for Streusel (1/2 cup): Binds the streusel topping crumbs together.
- Cinnamon for Streusel (1 teaspoon): Continues the warm spice in the topping.
- Pinch of Salt for Streusel: Balances the sweetness and enhances texture.
- Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Forms the base of the luscious vanilla glaze.
- Milk (2 tablespoons, adjust as needed): Thins the glaze to a perfect drizzle consistency.
- Vanilla (1 teaspoon): Adds flavor depth to the glaze for that final comforting touch.
How to Make Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready to give your cookies that perfect golden-brown finish. Meanwhile, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this is the secret to tender cookies. Then, add the egg and vanilla, mixing until fully incorporated. Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir gently just until everything combines, taking care not to overmix.
Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Use your fingers or a fork to mix everything until you get coarse crumbs, resembling tiny pebbles. This streusel topping adds the iconic crumbly, buttery texture that sets these cookies apart.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Form the dough into uniform balls and place them spaced apart on your lined baking sheets. Press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each ball, creating a deep indent for the streusel topping and the upcoming glaze drip.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Sprinkle a generous amount of the streusel topping over each cookie indent. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a lovely golden brown. Once done, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set up before transferring.
Step 6: Drizzle the Sweet Glaze
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl until you achieve a smooth, pourable glaze. Drizzle this over each cookie for a sweet, glossy finish that perfectly balances the cinnamon-spiced crumbs.
How to Serve Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe, try sprinkling a little additional cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the glaze for a subtle spice kick. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving can also add a charming, bakery-style look that’s hard to resist.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of coffee or a fragrant chai tea to enhance their warm, cinnamon flavors. For an indulgent treat, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream where the cookies become a cozy dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming presentation, arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden tray with cinnamon sticks and fresh flowers nearby. You could also stack them in a clear jar tied with a ribbon to gift a batch of homemade warmth to friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe cookies have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, retaining their soft texture and that irresistible cinnamon aroma.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze them by placing cooled cookies between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They can last up to 3 months frozen. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for a few hours or warm gently before serving.
Reheating
To bring your cookies back to that fresh-from-the-oven softness, warm them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. You can also pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes, just enough to melt the glaze slightly and bring out those cozy spices.
FAQs
Can I substitute the vegetable oil in this recipe?
Yes! You can use melted coconut oil or even a neutral-flavored olive oil as alternatives. Just keep in mind the flavor might subtly change, but the texture will remain delightfully soft.
How do I make sure the cookies don’t spread too much during baking?
Using chilled dough helps control spreading. You can refrigerate the dough balls for 15-20 minutes before baking to keep the cookies thick and soft with just a perfect amount of spread.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Be sure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to mimic the texture of traditional flour.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, the cookies will still be delicious without the glaze. However, the vanilla glaze adds a lovely sweetness and beautiful shine, making the cookies extra special for serving to guests.
How long do these cookies keep their freshness?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe cookies stay fresh for up to 4 days, maintaining their soft texture and rich flavor each day.
Final Thoughts
This Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite ways to enjoy the nostalgic flavors of coffee cake in a fun, handheld form. It’s perfect for cozy mornings, afternoon tea, or anytime you want to treat yourself with something truly comforting and delicious. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be a sweet staple in your baking repertoire!
PrintCozy Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
These Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies combine the tender, buttery flavor of classic coffee cake with the convenience of a cookie. Featuring a cinnamon-spiced dough topped with a streusel crumb and finished with a sweet vanilla icing drizzle, these cookies offer the perfect warm and comforting treat to enjoy alongside your favorite coffee or tea.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Softened Butter (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
- 1 large Egg
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
Streusel Topping
- 1/4 cup Softened Butter
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- A pinch of Salt
Vanilla Icing Drizzle
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Milk (adjust as needed)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar. Beat the mixture until it becomes fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs for the streusel topping.
- Shape Cookies: Shape the dough into uniform balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Using your finger or a spoon, create a deep indent in the center of each cookie ball to hold the streusel.
- Add Streusel: Press the streusel topping generously into the indentations on each cookie.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
- Prepare Icing: While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust milk quantity if needed to achieve a drizzle consistency.
- Drizzle Icing: Drizzle the vanilla icing over each cookie evenly for a sweet finishing touch.
- Serve: Serve the Cozy Coffee Cake Cookies warm alongside your favorite coffee or tea for cozy enjoyment.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Adjust milk in the icing if the drizzle is too thick or too thin.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- These cookies can also be frozen after baking and thawed before serving.
- For extra flavor, try adding chopped nuts to the streusel topping.