If you adore the cozy flavors of coffee cake and the buttery crumble of a perfect streusel, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe. These cookies capture all the warmth and nostalgia of a classic coffee cake but come in a convenient, handheld form that’s perfect for snacking or sharing. With a soft, tender crumb hugging a gooey, cinnamon-spiced streusel center, each bite feels like a hug on a plate. Whether you’re baking for a brunch crowd or craving an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe delivers a delightful balance of sweetness and spice that will quickly become a household favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe comes from a collection of simple, everyday ingredients that when combined, create an irresistible texture and flavor profile. Each component plays a crucial role—flours for the perfect tender base, cinnamon for that beloved warm spice, and buttery richness for that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cookie dough, providing structure and tenderness.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to both the dough and the streusel filling.
- Cake flour: Contributes to a softer, delicate crumb in the cookie.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and aromatic depth.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Used in various temperatures to create both the dough and streusel with rich creaminess.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies tender and soft without too much spread.
- Baking soda and baking powder: A duo that ensures perfect rise and slight fluffiness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a tender crumb texture.
- Vanilla extract: Introduces subtle warmth and fragrance to the dough and glaze.
- Egg and egg yolk: Bring moisture, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.
- Heavy cream or milk: Used in the glaze for a luscious finish.
- Powdered sugar: The base of the sweet vanilla glaze that dresses the cookies beautifully.
How to Make Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Filling
Begin by mixing together half a cup of all-purpose flour, a third of a cup of packed brown sugar, two teaspoons of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cut in five tablespoons of softened unsalted butter until the mixture resembles small clumps. This streusel filling will be the gooey, cinnamony treasure inside your cookies, so refrigerate it to keep it firm and ready for stuffing.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prep Baking Sheets
Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s nice and hot for the perfect bake. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and help your cookies bake evenly with golden edges.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients for the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together one and a quarter cups of all-purpose flour, three-quarters cup of cake flour, one teaspoon cornstarch, one teaspoon cinnamon, half a teaspoon baking soda, half a teaspoon baking powder, and half a teaspoon salt. This combination will give the cookies their soft texture with just enough lift.
Step 4: Cream Butter, Sugars, and Eggs
Using a stand mixer, cream together 8 tablespoons of cold unsalted butter with half a cup packed brown sugar and a quarter cup granulated sugar until smooth. Add in one large egg, one large egg yolk, and one teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until everything is well combined and luscious.
Step 5: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. This ensures the dough maintains its tender texture without overworking the flour.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies and Create an Indent
Form the dough into eight large balls. Press an indent into the center of each ball with your thumb or the back of a spoon—this space will cradle that delicious streusel filling.
Step 7: Stuff the Cookies and Bake
Fill each indentation with the chilled streusel mixture. Bake the cookies on the prepared sheets until their edges are set and golden brown, typically around 10 minutes. The streusel will bake right into the cookie, creating a stunning surprise in every bite.
Step 8: Shape While Warm
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use a cookie cutter to gently shape them if you desire a perfectly rounded look. The cookies will still be soft, so shaping while warm helps maintain a neat appearance.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This prevents breakage and helps the cookies finish setting up.
Step 10: Make and Drizzle the Vanilla Glaze
Mix together one cup of sifted powdered sugar, one teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, two tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and three tablespoons heavy cream or milk until smooth. Drizzle this glaze artistically over the cooled cookies to add a luscious finishing touch that perfectly complements the cinnamon streusel filling.
How to Serve Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an inviting presentation, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar on top of the glazed cookies. You could also add chopped toasted nuts for extra texture and a nutty aroma that pairs wonderfully with the cinnamon.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea, making them ideal for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert. Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a side of fresh fruit for a balanced treat if you want to add a touch of freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging these cookies on a tiered stand for a brunch buffet or package them in pretty boxes for gift-giving. You could also sandwich two cookies together with a layer of cream cheese frosting for an indulgent twist everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft and flavorful without drying out.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze unglazed baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw at room temperature and then add the glaze fresh for best results.
Reheating
To enjoy these cookies warm and fresh, reheat them briefly in a 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 5 minutes. This warms the streusel center and softens the cookie, making them taste just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour in a pinch, but the cookies might turn out slightly less tender. For the best soft texture, a combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour is recommended.
What if I don’t have cornstarch?
Cornstarch helps keep the cookies tender. If you don’t have it, you can replace it with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or simply omit it, but expect a slightly firmer cookie.
Can these cookies be made dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use plant-based butter alternatives and substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or your favorite dairy-free milk for the glaze. The flavor will still be lovely, just a bit different.
How do I prevent the streusel filling from leaking out?
Keeping your streusel chilled before stuffing helps it stay intact during baking. Also, don’t overfill the indentations and be gentle when shaping the dough to seal the filling inside well.
Can I make these cookies smaller or larger?
You can adjust the size, but baking times will vary. Smaller cookies bake faster and may lose some of the soft center, while larger cookies need a slightly longer bake to set through without burning the edges.
Final Thoughts
Making this Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is such a joyful experience because it brings the best elements of a classic coffee cake into a delightful cookie form. Whether you’re baking for yourself, friends, or family, these cookies are bound to become a new favorite with their tender dough, cinnamon-spiced streusel center, and sweet vanilla glaze. So grab your ingredients, turn on some music, and enjoy the delicious process of creating these little bites of heaven. I promise, once you try them, you’ll want to bake them again and again!
Print
Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 large cookies
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies, boasting a soft, tender cookie dough filled with a cinnamon-spiced streusel center and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfectly baked to golden edges, these large cookies marry the comfort of a classic coffee cake with the convenience of a handheld treat.
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 cup cake flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 8 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
Vanilla Glaze
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 3 Tbsp. heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare Streusel: In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Work in 5 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter until small clumps form. Refrigerate to chill the mixture and allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cake flour, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside this dry mixture.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: Using a stand mixer, mix 8 tablespoons cold cubed unsalted butter with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in 1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well to combine.
- Form Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until the dough is just incorporated, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies and Add Streusel: Roll the dough into 8 large balls. Make an indent in the center of each ball with your thumb or a spoon, creating a hollow for the streusel filling.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon a generous amount of the chilled streusel mixture into each cookie indent. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set and golden brown.
- Shape Cookies While Warm: Once baked, while cookies are still hot, use a cookie cutter to refine the shape if desired for a neat appearance.
- Cool on Rack: Transfer the cookies carefully to a cooling rack to cool completely, allowing them to set properly.
- Prepare and Drizzle Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk, 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Drizzle this vanilla glaze over the cooled cookies for a sweet, luscious finish.
Notes
- Ensure the butter for the streusel is softened, while the butter for the dough should be cold to keep the texture light and tender.
- Using cake flour in the dough gives the cookies a softer crumb and delicate texture.
- The cinnamon in both the streusel and dough enhances the coffee cake flavor profile.
- Feel free to substitute milk for heavy cream in the glaze for a lighter option.
- Cookies are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
