Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake

Featured in: Cinnamon Desserts

These Gilmore Girls coffee cake inspired treats combine tender cookie dough with a cinnamon-brown sugar streusel topping and a sweet vanilla glaze. Soft and lightly golden, each cookie offers a delightful balance of warm spices and rich flavors. The streusel adds a crumbly texture, while the glaze delivers a smooth, sweet finish. Perfect for enjoying with your morning coffee or afternoon tea, these easy-to-make delights transform simple ingredients into cozy, comforting bites.

Updated on Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:47:07 GMT
Indulge in soft coffee cake cookies topped with cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze, a cozy treat for coffee lovers. Pin
Indulge in soft coffee cake cookies topped with cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze, a cozy treat for coffee lovers. | cinnamonnest.com

Delight your senses with these soft, tender cookies inspired by classic coffee cake—featuring a cinnamon-brown sugar streusel and a sweet vanilla glaze, perfect for cozy moments with coffee. This recipe brings the comforting warmth of a bakery favorite into a convenient cookie form, making it an ideal treat for any time of day.

Indulge in soft coffee cake cookies topped with cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze, a cozy treat for coffee lovers. Pin
Indulge in soft coffee cake cookies topped with cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze, a cozy treat for coffee lovers. | cinnamonnest.com

Whether you're a fan of the show or just a lover of all things cinnamon, these Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies offer a nostalgic and satisfying experience. The combination of vegetable oil and butter in the dough ensures they stay moist and soft for days.

Ingredients

  • Cookie Dough: 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil; 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour.
  • Streusel Topping: 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed; 1/3 to 1/2 cup (40–60 g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt.
  • Icing: 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon milk; Splash of vanilla extract.
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Instructions

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
Step 4
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 5
In another bowl, prepare the streusel by combining softened butter, brown sugar, flour (start with 1/3 cup and add more if needed for a crumbly texture), ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until crumbly.
Step 6
Scoop the cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets (about 1½ tablespoons per cookie), leaving space between each. Gently press an indent into the center of each cookie.
Step 7
Fill each indent generously with the streusel mixture.
Step 8
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
Step 9
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10
For the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For extra crunch, add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the streusel mixture before topping your cookies.

Serviervorschläge

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or a spicy chai tea, making them the ultimate cozy treat.

Warm and tender cookies inspired by classic coffee cake, filled with buttery streusel and finished with sweet vanilla drizzle. Pin
Warm and tender cookies inspired by classic coffee cake, filled with buttery streusel and finished with sweet vanilla drizzle. | cinnamonnest.com

Enjoy the sweet, buttery, and spiced flavors of these delightful coffee cake cookies. They are a wonderful addition to any dessert spread or a thoughtful homemade gift for the coffee lovers in your life.

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Recipe FAQ

What gives the cookies their cinnamon flavor?

Ground cinnamon is incorporated both in the cookie dough and the streusel topping, providing a warm, aromatic spice throughout.

How is the streusel made for these cookies?

The streusel combines softened butter, brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, mixed until crumbly for a tender topping.

What is the purpose of the vanilla glaze?

The vanilla glaze is a simple blend of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, drizzled over cooled cookies to add a sweet, smooth finish.

Can I add nuts to the streusel?

Yes, chopped toasted pecans or walnuts can be added to the streusel for extra crunch and flavor variety.

How should these cookies be stored?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, refrigerate for two weeks, or freeze for up to three months.

Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake

Tender cookies with cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze, inspired by classic coffee cake flavors.

Prep duration
15 min
Cooking duration
12 min
Total duration
27 min


Difficulty Easy

Origin American

Yield 24 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1/2 cup vegetable oil
03 1 cup packed brown sugar
04 1 large egg
05 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
07 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
08 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
09 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Streusel Topping

01 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
03 1/3 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
04 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 Pinch of salt

Icing

01 1/2 cup powdered sugar
02 1 tablespoon milk
03 Splash of vanilla extract

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Baking Surface: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Step 05

Form Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 06

Prepare Streusel Mixture: In another bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, flour starting with 1/3 cup and adding more as needed, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix until crumbly texture forms.

Step 07

Scoop and Shape Cookies: Scoop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets using about 1 1/2 tablespoons per cookie, leaving space between each. Gently press an indent into the center of each cookie.

Step 08

Add Streusel Topping: Fill each indent generously with the streusel mixture.

Step 09

Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.

Step 10

Initial Cooling: Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Prepare and Apply Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cookie scoop or spoon
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Allergy information

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat and gluten
  • Contains milk and dairy
  • Contains eggs

Nutritional information (per serving)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 150
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Carbs: 20 g
  • Protein: 1 g