Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies capture the cozy flavors of a classic coffee cake in a convenient cookie form. Soft, cinnamon-spiced, and topped with a crumbly streusel, they’re perfect for enjoying with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Ingredients
- 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
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Step 6: If desired, fold in the chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips into the dough.
- Step 7: To make the streusel topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Drizzle the melted butter over the top and mix until crumbly.
- Step 8: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 9: Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each cookie dough ball.
- Step 10: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.
- Step 11: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the nuts or substitute with extra chocolate chips.
- Try adding a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for extra warm spice notes.
- Use a mix of walnuts and pecans for a richer texture in the cookies.
- Make the streusel topping ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until ready to use.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to restore softness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit any added salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting the cookies.
Are these cookies suitable for dairy-free diets?
To make these cookies dairy-free, use a plant-based butter alternative and check that your chocolate chips are dairy-free as well.
Print
Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional coffee cake, transforming the classic flavors into soft, chewy cookies topped with a cinnamon streusel. These cookies combine a buttery dough with warm cinnamon spices, optional nuts and chocolate chips, and a crumbly streusel topping, making them perfect for a cozy snack or dessert.
Ingredients
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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for 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, usually about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
- 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: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Optional Add-ins: If desired, fold in the chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips into the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and stir until crumbly to create the streusel topping.
- Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the dough and place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Top with Streusel: Generously sprinkle the streusel topping over each cookie dough ball to add a sweet, crunchy layer.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft for a tender bite.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
Notes
- You can omit the nuts and chocolate chips for a simple coffee cake flavor.
- Ensure not to overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender.
- Optional: Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a festive touch, drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies.
- 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, easy cookie recipe, cinnamon cookies, chocolate chip cookies, walnut cookies

