Description
Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies are a delicious twist on traditional coffee cake, baked into soft, buttery cookies topped with a cinnamon streusel. These cookies combine the rich flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, and optional nuts or chocolate chips for a cozy treat perfect for morning coffee or afternoon snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. This step helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and stir until fully combined to infuse flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overdeveloping gluten which can cause toughness.
- Fold in Optional Add-ins: If using, fold in the chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips carefully to distribute throughout the dough.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients and mix until crumbly, forming the classic streusel topping texture.
- Scoop Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Add Streusel Topping: Generously sprinkle the crumbly streusel topping over each cookie dough ball to create a crunchy, cinnamon-sweet topping.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft for the ideal coffee cake cookie texture.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely, helping them set perfectly.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts.
- Mini chocolate chips add extra sweetness and texture but can be left out for a more classic coffee cake flavor.
- Make sure not to overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and soft.
- Cooling cookies on the baking sheet first helps prevent breaking when transferring to racks.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Gilmore Girls coffee cake cookies, coffee cake cookies, cinnamon streusel cookies, soft cookies, dessert recipe, easy cookies
