Description
These Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic coffee cake, featuring a soft, buttery cookie base with a cinnamon streusel center and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for fans of the show or anyone looking for a cozy, comforting treat that brings the beloved coffee house vibe to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Streusel Filling
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air and creates a tender cookie base.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully blended, ensuring a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Form Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cookies tough.
- Prepare Streusel: In another bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until you achieve a crumbly texture. This mixture will be the delicious cinnamon streusel filling inside each cookie.
- Shape Cookies: Using about 1½ tablespoons of cookie dough per cookie, drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Press an indent into the center of each cookie with your thumb or the back of a spoon to hold the streusel filling.
- Add Streusel Filling: Generously fill the indentation in each cookie with the prepared streusel mixture, making sure it stays contained within the well.
- Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cookies for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough or streusel.
- Use room temperature butter to make creaming easier and more effective.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Adjust the cinnamon amount in the streusel and dough to suit your taste preference.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk slightly before drizzling.
