Bring a little Stars Hollow charm into your kitchen with these Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies. Soft, tender, and infused with a warm cinnamon crumble, these cookies capture the cozy, indulgent spirit of your favorite small-town coffee shop. Each bite is bold, smooth, and perfectly balanced, evoking the comfort of a morning coffee and a sweet escape into the world of Lorelai and Rory. Whether you’re enjoying a lazy weekend, hosting a cozy brunch, or just treating yourself, these cookies are the ultimate sweet comfort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and tender cookies with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Cinnamon crumble topping gives a bold, coffee cake flavor in every bite.
- Glazed finish adds a smooth, sweet touch that elevates the cookie.
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect for cozy mornings, coffee breaks, or a sweet gift.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Creates a rich, tender base.
- Brown sugar (½ cup) & granulated sugar (¼ cup): Sweetens and adds chewiness.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough for soft, structured cookies.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds warmth and depth.
- All-purpose flour (1½ cups): Forms the cookie’s structure.
- Baking soda (½ tsp) & baking powder (½ tsp): Helps cookies rise and stay soft.
- Ground cinnamon (½ tsp): Provides classic coffee cake flavor.
- Salt (¼ tsp): Enhances overall flavor.
Crumble Topping
- Melted butter (3 tbsp): Binds the crumble and adds richness.
- Brown sugar (⅓ cup): Sweet, toffee-like topping flavor.
- All-purpose flour (½ cup): Gives structure to the crumble.
- Ground cinnamon (½ tsp): Adds warmth and a coffee cake vibe.
Glaze
- Powdered sugar (¾ cup)
- Milk (1–2 tbsp)
- Vanilla extract (½ tsp)
How to Make Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies
1. Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cookie Dough
Beat together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy.
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until a soft dough forms.
3. Prepare the Crumble
Combine melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl to form a crumbly topping.
4. Shape the Cookies
Scoop 2-tablespoon balls of cookie dough and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Gently press the center of each cookie to form a shallow well.
Fill each well generously with the cinnamon crumble topping.
5. Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just set and lightly golden.
6. Cool and Glaze
Allow cookies to cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, then drizzle over cooled cookies. Adjust milk to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
Tips for Success
- Pressing a shallow well helps hold the crumble and keeps the coffee cake texture.
- Dough can be chilled 15–30 minutes if too soft to handle.
- Glaze consistency can be adjusted with more or less milk.
- Best enjoyed fresh but stores in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire cooling rack
- Small whisk or fork for glaze
Recipe Variations
- Maple Cinnamon Coffee Cake Cookies: Replace vanilla with 1 tsp maple extract.
- Nutty Topping: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle over the glaze for an extra treat.
- Pumpkin Spice Version: Add ½ tsp pumpkin spice to the dough for a fall twist.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy with your morning coffee or tea for a cozy start.
- Serve on a dessert tray with other holiday cookies for a festive touch.
- Pack in small boxes or jars as charming gifts.
- Add extra glaze drizzle for a more decadent presentation.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Why did my crumble fall off?
Press the crumble gently into the well before baking to help it adhere.
Can I adjust the cinnamon flavor?
Yes! Add up to 1 tsp for a bolder, more aromatic taste.
Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies: Cozy, Bold, Smooth Bites
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 14–16 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies: Soft, tender cookies infused with cozy cinnamon crumble for bold, smooth bites that echo the warm charm of Stars Hollow.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (for crumble)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for crumble)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for crumble)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Mix in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon to create the crumble topping.
- Scoop cookie dough into 2-tablespoon balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Gently press the center of each cookie to create a shallow well and fill with the cinnamon crumble.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just set.
- Cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Whisk glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Notes
- Pressing a shallow well in each cookie helps hold the crumble topping for a true coffee cake bite.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Adjust glaze consistency with more or less milk for desired drizzle.
- Dough can be chilled 15–30 minutes if too soft to handle.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
These Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies are a cozy, indulgent treat that captures the warmth of Stars Hollow in every bite. Soft, tender, and topped with a cinnamon crumble and sweet glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or gifting. Bring a little coffee shop magic into your kitchen and enjoy the bold, smooth flavors of this delightful holiday-inspired cookie.