These Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies are soft, sweet, and the perfect treat with your morning coffee! With a hint of cinnamon and a crumbly topping, they are wonderfully cozy.
Whenever I make these cookies, I feel a bit like Lorelai! They are great for sharing with friends or enjoying on a lazy Sunday. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up—so no stress involved!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Butter: Unsalted is best for controlling salt levels. If you’re out, you can use margarine or a plant-based butter. Just make sure it’s softened for easy mixing!
Sour Cream: This adds moisture and tang. Greek yogurt is a great substitute if you’re looking for a healthier option. Remember to pick plain yogurt to keep the flavor balanced.
Flour: All-purpose flour works here, but you can swap in whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. If you need gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
Cinnamon: This is a key spice in coffee cake flavor. Feel free to mix in nutmeg for a warm twist. If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, you could use pumpkin spice as an interesting alternative!
How Do I Make Sure My Cookies Stay Soft and Chewy?
The trick to soft, chewy cookies is how you mix and bake them. After creaming the butter and sugars, be gentle when mixing in the dry ingredients. Over-mixing can make cookies tough.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream to keep the dough light.
- Take them out when they’re just slightly underbaked. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough if you can. A 30-minute chill can prevent spreading and enhance flavor.
These tips will help you achieve the ultimate coffee cake cookie experience—just like the ones Lorelai and Rory would enjoy during their long chats at Luke’s! Enjoy your baking!
Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup sour cream
- For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk or cream
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and around 12-15 minutes to bake, plus cooling time. Giving a total of around 30-40 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a cozy baking session!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper to make clean-up easy!
2. Make the Crumb Topping:
In a medium bowl, mix together the crumb topping ingredients: flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Stir everything together until it looks crumbly and set it aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This is key for a nice texture!
4. Beat in the Eggs:
Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely flavor.
5. Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
6. Mix Everything Together:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined to keep them soft!
7. Prepare for Baking:
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop the dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Gently press each cookie down and sprinkle a generous amount of the crumb topping on each one, pressing lightly so it sticks.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look soft. Keep an eye on them!
9. Cooling Time:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This way, they will firm up nicely!
10. Drizzle Time:
For the drizzle, remember to whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle this sweet mix over the top.
11. Finish and Serve:
If you like, you can dust them with a little extra powdered sugar for added sweetness. Enjoy your cookies with a warm cup of coffee, and you’ll feel like you’re in Stars Hollow!
These cookies deliver the cozy coffee cake flavor in a delightful cookie form—perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat. Enjoy!
Can I Use Different Types of Sugar?
Absolutely! You can substitute brown sugar with dark brown sugar if you want a richer flavor. Granulated sugar can also be replaced with a light granulated sugar alternative; just be cautious with substitutes that may have different moisture levels.
Can I Use Greek Yogurt Instead of Sour Cream?
Yes! Greek yogurt works as a great substitute for sour cream in this recipe. It will still provide the moisture and tang needed without compromising the cookie’s texture.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes! Simply use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum. It’s best to check if it’s a 1:1 substitute to ensure the right texture in your cookies.
