Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
Introduction
If you love the cozy charm of Gilmore Girls, these Coffee Cake Cookies are a perfect treat to bring a bit of Stars Hollow magic into your kitchen. With a tender cinnamon dough, a crumbly streusel topping, and a sweet icing drizzle, they make a delightful Thanksgiving dessert or anytime indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups flour (325 grams)
Streusel Topping
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Icing Drizzle
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- Splash of vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, blend the softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- Step 4: Gradually stir in cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour until just combined.
- Step 5: For the streusel, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and flour in a separate bowl. Adjust the flour by adding 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together but remains crumbly.
- Step 6: Use a large cookie scoop to form dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Press an indent into the top of each ball using the back of the scoop or your finger.
- Step 7: Fill each indent generously with the streusel topping.
- Step 8: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.
- Step 9: While the cookies bake, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth for the icing.
- Step 10: Once the cookies have cooled slightly, drizzle the icing over the top to finish.
Tips & Variations
- For a richer flavor, try substituting half the vegetable oil with melted butter.
- Add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts into the streusel for extra crunch.
- Use cream cheese in place of butter in the icing for a tangy twist.
- Make mini cookies to serve as bite-sized treats at parties.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature. Reheat briefly in a warm oven if desired to refresh the texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before scooping and baking. Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes if it becomes too firm.
What if I don’t have cinnamon?
If you don’t have cinnamon, you can use pumpkin pie spice or a mix of nutmeg and cloves to keep the warm spice notes in the cookies.
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Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies blend the cozy, cinnamon-rich flavors of traditional coffee cake with the convenience and fun of cookie form. Featuring a tender cinnamon dough base topped with a crumbly streusel and finished with a silky icing drizzle, these cookies are perfect for Thanksgiving dessert or any time you crave a sweet, nostalgic treat inspired by the beloved TV series.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Dough
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (325 grams)
Streusel Topping
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Icing Drizzle
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- Splash of vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking these cookies.
- Make the Cinnamon Dough: In a mixing bowl, blend together the softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until the mixture is creamy and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to combine. Gradually stir in the cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour, mixing just until incorporated to form a soft dough.
- Prepare the Streusel: In a separate bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Use your fingers or a fork to mix until the mixture sticks together but remains crumbly. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to reach the right texture.
- Form the Cookies: Using a large cookie scoop, portion dough balls onto a lined baking sheet. Press an indent into the center of each dough ball using the back of the scoop or your fingers.
- Add Streusel Topping: Generously fill the indent of each cookie with the prepared streusel, ensuring a flavorful cinnamon burst in every bite.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until they are golden on the edges but still soft in the center.
- Make the Icing: While the cookies bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Finish and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet, then drizzle the icing over the top for a sweet, silky finish. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy the comforting flavors inspired by the Gilmore Girls series.
Notes
- You can adjust the cinnamon amount in the dough and streusel to your personal preference for a milder or stronger flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter in both dough and streusel with a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy milk for the icing.
- Make sure not to overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For a more festive look, you can add chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) to the streusel topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Gilmore Girls, coffee cake cookies, cinnamon cookies, streusel topping, holiday dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, homemade cookies, coffee cake, sweet icing drizzle, easy baking recipe
