There is something truly magical about the combination of tender cookie dough, a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping, and a silky vanilla glaze melting together in every bite. The Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel and Vanilla Glaze Recipe brings the comforting flavors of classic coffee cake into a delightful cookie form that’s perfect for sharing with friends or savoring alongside your morning coffee. These cookies offer the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and buttery goodness that will instantly become a favorite treat for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is all you need to create these irresistibly soft cookies topped with a crumbly streusel and finished with a luscious vanilla glaze. Each ingredient plays a vital role in delivering texture, flavor, and that nostalgic coffee cake feel.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation giving the cookies structure and a tender crumb.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Essential leavening agents to ensure your cookies rise just right.
- Fine sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy notes—key to that coffee cake appeal.
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: A combination that sweetens and keeps the cookies moist with a hint of caramel flavor.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Offers a fragrant, sweet aroma that ties the whole cookie together.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds tanginess and keeps the cookies tender and moist.
- Powdered sugar: For the vanilla glaze that crowns the cookies with a sweet finish.
- Milk or heavy cream: Smooths out the glaze to a perfect drizzling consistency.
How to Make Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel and Vanilla Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking. Next, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until well combined and uniform. This ensures your cookies have that perfect rise and that warm cinnamon flavor is evenly distributed.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter along with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step aerates your batter, giving your cookies that tender yet slightly crumbly texture that’s so satisfying.
Step 3: Mix in Egg, Vanilla, and Sour Cream
Now, add the egg to your creamed butter and sugar and beat everything until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream or Greek yogurt, mixing until smooth and creamy. These ingredients add moisture and a slight tang that keeps the cookies soft and flavorful.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet Dough
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in two parts, mixing on low speed just until all the flour is incorporated into a thick and soft cookie dough. Overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so be gentle to keep them tender.
Step 5: Prepare the Streusel Topping
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the streusel. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until you achieve large, clumpy crumbs. This crumbly topping is what will add delightful texture and that signature coffee cake crunch.
Step 6: Shape and Top the Cookies
Scoop approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each to allow for spreading. Gently flatten each dough ball with your fingertips, then press a generous amount of streusel crumbs onto the top of each cookie, lightly pressing so the crumbs stick well.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 11 to 13 minutes, until the edges turn a light golden color and the centers look set but still soft to the touch. These cookies keep their soft, tender interior while getting a subtle crisp at the edges—just like your favorite coffee cake.
Step 8: Cool and Glaze
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they cool, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzle-ready. Add more milk if needed for perfect consistency.
Step 9: Add the Vanilla Glaze
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies in thin lines or a playful zigzag pattern. Let the glaze set, then your Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel and Vanilla Glaze Recipe is freshly ready to enjoy or store for later.
How to Serve Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel and Vanilla Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
Consider sprinkling a few extra cinnamon sugar crystals or flaky sea salt over the glaze to add a little sparkle and contrast to the sweetness. A light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving also adds a charming touch that catches the eye.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm cup of coffee or a steaming mug of chai tea to amplify their cozy vibe. Fresh berries or a simple fruit salad can also bring a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board alongside small bowls of extra streusel and glaze for dipping. For parties, stack them in pretty tiers or wrap them individually in clear cellophane tied with a cinnamon stick for a charming edible gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store these coffee cake cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before sealing to prevent sogginess. They stay fresh and maintain their delightful texture well.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, freeze the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen cookies keep their best quality for up to 3 months and can be thawed at room temperature before glazing.
Reheating
Warm the cookies briefly in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked softness. Avoid overheating, which can dry them out.
FAQs
Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in this recipe?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt works perfectly as a substitute for sour cream here, adding moisture and a slight tang without altering the texture.
How do I make sure the streusel stays crunchy when baked on the cookies?
Press the streusel gently but firmly on top of the cookies before baking, and avoid stirring it too much once mixed. This helps the buttery crumbs clump together and stay crisp as they bake.
What if I don’t have light brown sugar for the streusel?
You can substitute dark brown sugar or even granulated sugar, though light brown sugar provides the best balance of moisture and caramel flavor for the streusel topping.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes! Try using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavors will still shine.
Will the glaze harden or stay soft?
The vanilla glaze sets to a delicate, slightly firm finish that holds its shape but still melts on your tongue—perfect for drizzling elegance without being crunchy.
Final Thoughts
Isn’t it wonderful to transform the beloved flavors of coffee cake into an inviting cookie? This Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel and Vanilla Glaze Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm hug with every bite. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and experience the magic yourself—these cookies are sure to become staples in your kitchen and hearts!
Print
Coffee Cake Cookies with Streusel and Vanilla Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Coffee Cake Cookies combine the rich, buttery flavor of classic coffee cake with the convenience and texture of a cookie. Topped with a cinnamon streusel and a sweet vanilla glaze, these cookies are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Soft, fluffy, and bursting with cinnamon goodness, they deliver all the warmth of coffee cake in a handheld treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Streusel Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy cookie removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined with no streaks.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light, creamy, and slightly fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg into the butter mixture until fully mixed, then stir in vanilla extract and sour cream or Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two additions, mixing on low speed just until incorporated and the dough becomes thick and soft.
- Prepare Streusel: In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt; pour in melted butter and mix with a fork until large clumpy crumbs form.
- Scoop Dough: Portion the cookie dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon scoops onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart to allow spreading.
- Add Streusel Topping: Flatten each dough ball slightly with fingertips, then press a generous amount of streusel crumbs onto each cookie so they adhere well.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers look just set but remain soft when gently touched.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk or cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth, adding more milk to achieve drizzle consistency if necessary.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over cooled cookies in thin lines or zigzag patterns, allow glaze to set, then serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- For a tangier flavor, use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt or vice versa.
- Ensure butter is softened for easy creaming with sugars.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk quantity; for thinner, add more gradually.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- To keep cookies fresh longer, freeze them after glazing and thaw before serving.
