Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies combine the nostalgic flavors of cinnamon streusel coffee cake with the convenience of soft, chewy cookies. These buttery, cinnamon-infused treats are topped with a crunchy streusel made from brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the perfect balance of textures and sweetness. Ideal for breakfast or a delightful snack, they feature optional chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips for added richness.
- Author: Isabella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: 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, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This process incorporates air for tender cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully combine them. Stir in the vanilla extract until incorporated for 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 Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Optional Add-ins: If desired, fold in the chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
- Make Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Drizzle the melted butter over and stir until the mixture is crumbly, creating the classic streusel texture.
- Scoop Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Add Streusel Topping: Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each cookie dough ball, covering them for extra crunch and cinnamon flavor.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden but centers remain soft and chewy for perfect texture.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped nuts.
- Mini chocolate chips add a delightful sweetness but can be left out for a traditional coffee cake flavor.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be slightly soft in the center when removed from the oven.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
Keywords: coffee cake cookies, cinnamon streusel cookies, Gilmore Girls cookies, soft cookies, baking cinnamon cookies, coffee cake inspired dessert