Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe

Imagine your favorite slice of coffee cake—cinnamon swirls, buttery crumble, sweet vanilla icing—transformed into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat you can hold in your hand. That’s what you get with these Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies! Every bite delivers comforting bakery flavors in a cookie form that’s perfect for sharing (or sneaking with your morning coffee).

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies are built from simple baking staples, but each ingredient has a special job. Let’s break down why these pantry favorites work together to create pure cookie magic!

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for both the cookies and that buttery crumbly streusel.
• Cake Flour: Gives the cookies their soft, delicate crumb—if you want pillowy cookies, don’t skip this!
• Cinnamon: Brings cozy warmth to both the streusel and the dough, making every bite feel like a hug.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, depth, and just the right hint of caramel to compliment all that spice.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with that classic cookie texture.
• Butter (unsalted): The heart of both the dough and streusel, bringing richness and melt-in-your-mouth flavor.
• Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies extra tender, almost cake-like instead of dense.
• Baking Soda + Baking Powder: These team up to help your cookies rise and stay fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances every flavor and balances the sweetness—never underestimate a good pinch!
• Egg + Egg Yolk: Make the cookies rich and chewy; the extra yolk adds that custardy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Boosts warm flavors and brings everything together beautifully.
• Powdered Sugar: For the dreamy icing drizzle on top.
• Heavy Cream or Milk: Loosens up your icing, making it silky and pourable.

Variations

These Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies are endlessly adaptable! Here are a few of my favorite ways to make them your own, whether you want to cater to dietary needs, personal preferences, or whatever’s in your pantry.

• Add Nuts: Stir in finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Go Nut-Free: Skip the nuts and add shredded coconut or mini chocolate chips for a delicious twist.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Swap in your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for both the dough and streusel.
• Play with Spice: Add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg with the cinnamon for a warm, spiced upgrade.
• Double the Streusel: Use extra streusel as a final garnish for even more crumbly goodness—just remember to heat-treat the flour if you’re topping after baking!

How to Make Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies

Step 1: Mix Up the Streusel

Start by making the addictive cinnamon streusel: combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Work in the softened butter using your fingers until the mixture forms buttery, crumbly clumps. Pop the bowl in the fridge so your streusel stays firm and crumbles perfectly later.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pan & Preheat

While your streusel chills, preheat your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. This keeps your cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cake flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Giving your dry ingredients a good mix now ensures your cookies bake up evenly with tons of flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Cream Butter & Sugars

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl with hand beaters), add the cold cubed butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cream together on medium speed for 1–2 minutes, until the mixture is light and smooth but not over-whipped. This step is key for tender cookies!

Step 5: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the vanilla extract, whole egg, and extra egg yolk until just combined. Pause and scrape down the bowl as needed to make sure everything is blended in and no butter pockets remain—smooth and unified is the goal here!

Step 6: Combine and Mix the Dough

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing on low until just incorporated. Try not to overwork the dough—stop as soon as it comes together!

Step 7: Shape, Fill, and Bake

Scoop and gently roll the dough into large balls (you’ll get roughly 8 big bakery-style cookies or up to 24 smaller ones). Place on your prepared sheets, then use your thumb or the end of a spoon to make a deep well in the center. Generously fill each indentation with about 1 tablespoon of chilled streusel. Bake for 8–11 minutes, just until the cookies are set and their edges are ever-so-slightly golden. Don’t overbake—they’ll continue to firm up on the sheet!

Step 8: Cool & Ice

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a cooling rack. While they’re cooling, whisk together melted butter, milk or cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla for the icing. Wait until the cookies are completely cool, then drizzle the icing over the tops in swoopy, sweet ribbons—then try not to dive in right away!

How to Serve Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies

Garnishes

Dress up your Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies with an extra dusting of powdered sugar for a bakery finish, a pinch of cinnamon right after the icing, or even a handful of finely chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch. A little extra streusel on top (heat-treated if added post-bake) makes them look and taste extra special!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee (of course), chai, or an iced latte for a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. At brunch, plate them alongside fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, or even a spread of other baked goodies for a show-stopping treat table.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, stack Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon, or arrange on a pretty platter for an easy, inviting dessert. Try mini versions for party trays or pack full-size cookies in lunchboxes for a sweet midday surprise. They wow in any setting, trust me!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they’ll stay soft, moist, and absolutely delightful for up to three days. If you want to prep ahead for the week, these are a dream to snack on day after day!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Once cooled and iced, layer them between parchment and freeze in a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to three months. You can even freeze the unbaked dough balls (unstuffed) and bake fresh whenever the craving strikes.

Reheating

If you love that just-baked magic, pop a thawed Coffee Cake Streusel Cookie in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to revive the gooeyness and wake up those bakery aromas. Just remember, if iced, the glaze may soften a bit but will still taste amazing!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

You’re about to discover your new favorite treat in these Coffee Cake Streusel Cookies—soft, cozy, and swirled with all the best brunch flavors. I can’t wait for you to experience the irresistible crumble and sweet icing for yourself. Pour some coffee, grab a cookie (or three!), and enjoy every delicious bite!

Print