Meet the Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe that will instantly brighten any day. These bakery-style cookies have the cozy warmth of classic coffee cake paired with the fun of a soft, thick cookie, all hiding a delightful pocket of buttery, cinnamon-scented streusel inside. Whether you’re baking for a brunch, a treat-yourself afternoon, or a gathering with friends, each bite promises the best flavors of a coffee cake, made easily handheld. Once you try them, you’ll never look at ordinary cookies the same way again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is just how simple but impactful each ingredient is. Every element, from the crumbly streusel to the tender cookie base, comes together to offer layers of texture and flavor, with classic pantry staples doing most of the heavy lifting.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for both the cookie dough and streusel, ensuring the perfect soft, chewy texture.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds a rich, caramel depth that complements the cinnamon and brings warmth to both cookie and streusel.
- Ground cinnamon: Delivers that signature coffee cake spice—don’t skimp if you adore a fragrant kick.
- Unsalted butter: Used both melted in the streusel and softened in the dough, it gives the cookies their tender crumb and buttery flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie dough while delivering a gorgeous golden bake.
- Large egg: Helps bind the dough and contributes to that soft, bakery-style cookie center.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle aromatic note that brightens every bite.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just enough and stay soft after baking.
- Salt: Enhances every other flavor and balances sweetness beautifully.
- Powdered sugar (optional, for glaze): For a delicate, sweet drizzle on top—optional, but so worth it for a bakery finish.
- Milk (optional, for glaze): Loosens the glaze to your preferred drizzling consistency.
How to Make Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Streusel Filling
Start by combining flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir until crumbly but still a bit moist. This streusel is the heart of every cookie, giving you that classic coffee cake flavor in every bite. Don’t worry if it looks a little rustic—crumbs are a good thing here!
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until it’s pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure an even rise. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until a soft dough forms—don’t overmix, or the cookies may turn out tough instead of tender.
Step 3: Assemble and Fill the Cookies
Scoop about one and a half tablespoons of dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Place a generous teaspoon of your streusel in the center, then gently pinch and seal the dough around the filling. Roll the filled dough into a ball and set it on your prepared baking sheet. You can slightly flatten each top for a more classic coffee cake cookie look. Feel free to tuck in more streusel for the over-the-top effect!
Step 4: Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set but still soft. The irresistible aroma will let you know they’re ready! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to finish setting, then transfer them carefully to a wire rack. This dangling cooling step ensures every bite is soft, moist, and never dry.
Step 5: Glaze (Optional but Recommended!)
If you’d like a little extra sweetness and a homemade bakery finish, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until silky smooth. Drizzle it over the cooled cookies in zigzags or swirls—just like the top of your favorite coffee cake. Let the glaze set before serving or stacking the cookies.
How to Serve Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For that extra touch, a dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra pinches of streusel before baking creates a pretty, crumb-topped finish. A gentle drizzle of the vanilla glaze adds café-level appeal and a sweet contrast to the spiced filling.
Side Dishes
A steaming mug of coffee or a cozy chai latte makes the perfect pairing—these cookies were practically made for dunking. Serve alongside a bowl of seasonal fresh fruit or a dollop of vanilla yogurt for a brunch-worthy treat everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe on a tiered dessert stand for brunch, or tuck them into gift boxes lined with parchment for the ultimate homemade present. Another idea: sandwich a thin layer of cinnamon cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an outrageously indulgent dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They’ll stay soft and tender, with the streusel keeping its delicious crumbly texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked, streusel-stuffed dough balls on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for longer storage. When ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If your cookies have been stored or frozen, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave brings back that just-baked softness. Alternatively, a few minutes in a low oven refreshes the texture without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I double the streusel filling for extra stuffing?
Absolutely! The Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is fantastic with extra streusel. Double the filling mixture for brimming, bakery-style cookies, or sprinkle a little extra on top before baking for more crunch.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your cookies are spreading excessively, the dough may have been overworked or your butter might have been too soft. Chilling the filled dough balls for 20–30 minutes before baking can help maintain their shape.
How do I make the glaze thicker or thinner?
Add more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze, or a splash more milk for a thinner, easy-to-drizzle consistency. The Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe is ultra-forgiving when it comes to the glaze, so adjust to your taste!
Can I substitute margarine or non-dairy butter?
Yes! If you need the cookies to be dairy-free, a high-quality vegan butter substitute will work beautifully for both the dough and streusel.
Can I make these as bar cookies instead?
Definitely—press half the dough into a lined pan, sprinkle over the streusel, then top with remaining dough in dollops. Bake a little longer and cut into squares. All the flavor of the Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe, without the individual filling step!
Final Thoughts
It’s impossible not to crave another batch once you try this Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe. Every bite brings the best elements of coffee cake and cookies together into something irresistibly homey and special. Don’t be surprised if this quickly becomes your go-to treat for gatherings or simple afternoons at home—give it a try, and let a little bakery-style joy into your kitchen!
Print
Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Streusel-Stuffed Coffee Cake Cookies are a delightful twist on classic coffee cake flavors, with a buttery cookie exterior and a sweet, cinnamon-infused streusel filling. Perfect for a cozy treat with a cup of coffee or tea!
Ingredients
For the streusel filling:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the cookie dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make the streusel by mixing flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir in melted butter until crumbly. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until a dough forms.
- Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and flatten slightly. Add a heaping teaspoon of streusel mixture in the center and pinch the dough around it to seal. Roll into a ball and place on the baking sheet. Gently flatten the top. Repeat with remaining dough and streusel.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- If using glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies before serving.
Notes
- These cookies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- You can double the streusel if you want a little extra sprinkled on top before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
