Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel Topping Recipe

If you’re a fan of cozy mornings and sweet treats, you absolutely need to try this Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel Topping Recipe. These cookies capture all the buttery, cinnamon-scented joy of a classic coffee cake but in a perfectly portable, bite-sized form. I’ve made these more times than I can count, and trust me—they’re the kind of cookie that disappears fast around here. Stick with me and I’ll walk you through everything so your batch comes out absolutely irresistible.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel Topping Recipe plays a key role in building layers of flavor and texture—from the rich butter to the fluffy flours. Here’s why I love them together, plus a couple of quick tips before you shop.

• All Purpose Flour: Provides structure and chew, making sure the cookies hold up but still feel tender.
• Cake Flour: Lightens the texture, giving a soft, delicate crumb that’s the hallmark of coffee cake.
• Cornstarch: Helps with tenderness by softening the gluten in the flour, so your cookies don’t get tough.
• Cinnamon: The hero spice here—use fresh, good-quality cinnamon for that cozy, fragrant kick.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Both needed for proper rise and great texture—don’t skip or swap these!
• Cold Butter Cubed (for dough): Cold butter gives you flaky spots and helps keep the cookies from spreading too much.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes that complement the cinnamon beautifully.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances out the brown sugar and aids in crispiness around the edges.
• Vanilla Extract: Always use real vanilla if you can—it brightens flavors and rounds out your cookie dough perfectly.
• Egg & Egg Yolk: Adds richness and structure; the extra yolk makes these cookies extra tender.
• Ingredients for Streusel: Butter, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt create that classic crumbly topping we all adore.
• Icing Ingredients: Butter, cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt come together into a smooth glaze that ties everything nicely.

Tweak to Your Taste

I like these coffee cake cookies just as they are, but if you love playing around in the kitchen like I do, don’t hesitate to personalize this recipe. It’s super versatile and forgiving!

• Variation: I’ve swapped out half the cinnamon in the streusel topping for nutmeg once, and it added a lovely hint of warmth that paired beautifully with the cookie dough.
• Add-Ins: Chopped pecans or walnuts folded into the dough or streusel add some crunch and a nice nutty flavor.
• Dietary Adjustments: You can try using vegan butter and a flax egg—I’ve done this with success, though the texture is a bit different, but still delicious!
• Seasonal Twist: Adding shredded coconut to the streusel gives it a summery, tropical vibe that’s totally unexpected and fun to try.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel Topping Recipe

Step 1: Make the Streusel Topping First

Start by combining the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Then work in the softened butter with your fingers until you get small clumps forming—kind of like coarse crumbs. This part is fun and really gives you a chance to connect with the recipe. Pop it into the fridge while you prep the cookie dough so it firms up nicely.

Step 2: Prep Your Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make sure you spoon and level your flours when measuring to avoid dense cookies. Set this aside for now while we cream the butter and sugars!

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), cream the cold butter cubes together with the brown and granulated sugar until smooth—about 1 to 2 minutes. The mixture should become lighter in color and fluffy. This step really affects your cookie’s tenderness, so don’t rush it.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, mix in the egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract until just combined. If you notice the batter sticking to the sides of your bowl, scrape it down with a spatula and mix again so everything is perfectly incorporated.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Gradually

Add your flour mixture little by little—about a quarter cup at a time—mixing after each addition until fully blended. This helps prevent overmixing and keeps your cookies tender, which I’ve found is key for the best texture.

Step 6: Shape Your Cookies

Now scoop and roll your cookie dough into about 8 large balls, or smaller if you prefer bite-sized cookies (you can get around 22 to 24 smaller ones). Place them spaced apart on baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone mats. Then, make an indent in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the end of a spoon. I love using a wooden citrus juicer end dipped lightly in flour—it keeps the dough from sticking beautifully.

Step 7: Add Streusel and Bake

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of your chilled streusel filling right into each indent. Bake at 400°F for 8 to 11 minutes, watching closely—the edges should be just set and golden but you want to pull them out before they get dry since they’ll keep cooking a bit on the pan. When fresh out of the oven, if you want them perfectly round, place a cookie cutter or large glass around each and gently swirl to neaten edges—it’s a neat trick I learned after a few tries!

Step 8: Cool and Drizzle Icing

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Whisk together melted butter, heavy cream or milk, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to make the icing. Once cooled, drizzle over the cookies for that final touch of sweetness. They’re utterly delicious at this stage—grab one before they’re gone!

How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel Topping Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple—a drizzle of the vanilla icing feels perfect and balances out the cinnamon streusel nicely. Sometimes, I sprinkle a pinch of extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar on top if it’s a special occasion. If I’m feeling fancy, chopped toasted pecans on top add a salty crunch that’s divine.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic on their own, but they team up beautifully with a hot cup of coffee (obviously!) or a creamy latte. For brunch or dessert parties, I like to serve them alongside fresh fruit or a light yogurt parfait to cut through their richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings or birthdays, I arrange these coffee cake cookies on a pretty tiered dessert tray, adding a few cinnamon sticks and sprigs of fresh rosemary for a festive touch. Wrapping a few in wax paper tied with twine makes a charming homemade gift too—I’ve had a lot of fun doing that!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—ideally, they stay fresh and soft for about 3 days. If I want to keep them a bit longer, I pop them in the fridge for up to a week, but I always let them come to room temp before eating to enjoy the full softness.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I recommend freezing the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, just thaw them at room temperature or warm gently in the oven to refresh.

Reheating

I reheat these cookies in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5-7 minutes to revive that fresh-baked feel. Microwave reheating works too if you’re short on time—just a few seconds to warm but avoid overheating or they get chewy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel Topping Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen as a go-to for gifts, brunches, or whenever I need a cozy pick-me-up. As much as I enjoy baking it myself, the real joy is sharing them with friends and family who instantly get how comforting these cookies are. I hope you love making (and eating!) them as much as I do—baking them together is like inviting cozy vibes and yummy smells right into your home. Give it a try, and let me know how yours turn out!

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