If you’re looking for a way to infuse a little comfort and warmth into your day, Cinnamon Coffee Cookies are an absolute must-try. Imagine everything you love about a cozy café morning baked into a rich, buttery cookie: mellow coffee undertones mingling with aromatic cinnamon, brown sugar, and a delicate hint of spices. These cookies are fabulous alongside your favorite cup of coffee or tea, but they’re just as irresistible on their own. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just for yourself (no judgment here!), this recipe will fill your kitchen with the most amazing scent and your cookie jar with a treat everyone will rave about.

Cinnamon Coffee Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Cinnamon Coffee Cookies is how the simplest pantry staples come together for cookie perfection. Each ingredient brings its own magic—think luscious texture, deep flavor, and that signature spiced aroma—so don’t skip a thing!

Instant coffee crystals: This is the secret to capturing authentic coffee flavor in every bite; dissolve it well so there’s no gritty texture.
Hot water: Just enough to dissolve your coffee crystals and bring out their full-bodied flavor.
Butter (softened): Brings a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture to the cookies.
Shortening: Balances out the butter for cookies that are irresistibly soft and slightly chewy.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens things up and helps the cookies develop those gorgeous crisp edges.
Packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a lovely caramel note that pairs so well with coffee and spice.
Ground cinnamon: The heart of these cookies, cinnamon delivers all the warmth and deep flavor you crave.
Baking powder: Gives the cookies just the right lift so they aren’t too dense.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty spice that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
Baking soda: Works with the baking powder to create a perfectly tender texture.
Salt: Balances all the sweetness and brings out the other flavors in the dough.
Ground cloves: Just a pinch gives these cookies a toasty, aromatic finish.
Large eggs: Binds everything together and helps build that fluffy, tender crumb.
Vanilla extract: Brings everything together with a fragrant touch of sweetness.
All-purpose flour: The classic baking base—provides structure and works perfectly with the rich cookie dough.

How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Cookies

Step 1: Dissolve the Coffee Crystals

Start your Cinnamon Coffee Cookies by stirring the instant coffee crystals into a tablespoon of hot water. Let them dissolve completely—this little step packs in that wonderful, real coffee flavor. Set it aside to cool while you start the dough.

Step 2: Cream the Fats and Spices

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened butter and shortening until they’re creamy and blended, about 45 seconds. This combo is what makes your cookies unbelievably tender. Add in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and cloves. Beat everything together until the mixture is fluffy and aromatic—the kitchen will already start to smell incredible!

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Coffee

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, just until each is incorporated; you want a cohesive mixture but try not to over-mix. Pour in the vanilla extract and your dissolved coffee mixture, and keep mixing until everything comes together into a smooth dough that already looks irresistible.

Step 4: Incorporate the Flour

Gradually add the flour, a little at a time, mixing gently between each addition to keep your dough light. The dough will be soft but should easily pull away from the sides of the bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 to 2 hours, or even overnight if you have the time—this makes it much easier to handle and really helps the flavors develop.

Step 5: Shape and Coat the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees, and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon to create a luscious spiced coating. Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, roll each in the cinnamon sugar, and place them about 3 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. This rolling step gives the Cinnamon Coffee Cookies their signature sparkly, flavorful crunch!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft. Don’t overbake; the magic is in that tender, chewy middle. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 3 to 4 minutes, then transfer carefully to a wire rack to cool completely (if you can resist trying one warm!).

How to Serve Cinnamon Coffee Cookies

Garnishes

These cookies are gorgeous as-is, but you can dress them up by drizzling with a light coffee glaze, sprinkling with extra cinnamon sugar right out of the oven, or topping each with a dusting of powdered sugar. For real flair, tuck a whole coffee bean on top of each warm cookie for a sophisticated presentation.

Side Dishes

The flavor of Cinnamon Coffee Cookies is a natural partner to coffee drinks (hot or iced!), spiced chai tea, or even a cold glass of milk. Serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad for a sweet-and-tangy treat, or bring them to your next brunch for an easy crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack them up and tie with a ribbon as a charming homemade gift, or arrange them in a rustic basket for an afternoon coffee break. If you’re feeling playful, make mini ice cream sandwiches using your favorite vanilla or espresso ice cream—your family and friends won’t be able to stop at just one.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Cinnamon Coffee Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious and moist for up to five days—though chances are they won’t last that long!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully, both as baked cookies and as raw dough. For cookies, let them cool completely, layer between sheets of wax paper in a freezer-safe container, and store for up to three months. If you’d rather freeze the dough, portion into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag—just bake off a few at a time for fresh cookies whenever the craving hits.

Reheating

To enjoy that legendary fresh-baked flavor, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for 10 seconds, or heat in a low oven for a few minutes. They’ll taste (and smell) like you just pulled them from the oven, with all the delicious cinnamon coffee aroma.

FAQs

Can I substitute brewed coffee for instant coffee crystals?

Brewed coffee doesn’t quite pack the concentrated punch you get from instant coffee crystals, so for the most robust flavor in your Cinnamon Coffee Cookies, stick to instant if you can. If you must substitute, use a few tablespoons of very strong brewed coffee, but reduce the liquid elsewhere slightly.

My dough seems sticky! What should I do?

Don’t worry—sticky dough is normal before chilling. Cover and refrigerate as directed to let the dough firm up; this makes it easy to handle and shape without sticking to your hands.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The cookies should turn out just as delicious, with the same beautifully chewy texture.

How can I keep my cookies soft?

Store your Cinnamon Coffee Cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread or a piece of apple. The cookies will pull moisture from the bread, staying wonderfully soft for several days.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

You definitely can—feel free to stir in up to a cup of finely chopped walnuts or chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor. Just mix them in right after the flour for a fun, customized twist on the original recipe.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about sharing a plate of homemade Cinnamon Coffee Cookies, whether it’s a simple treat for yourself or a sweet surprise for someone you love. With their heartwarming flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture, these cookies make every coffee break (or midnight snack!) feel a little more magical. Give them a try—I promise, you’ll be hooked from the very first bite!

Cinnamon Coffee Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 9 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: Makes about 3 dozen cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Cinnamon Coffee Cookies are a delightful treat with the perfect blend of coffee and warm spices. They are easy to make and perfect for any coffee lover.

Instructions

Coffee Mixture: Stir the coffee crystals into hot water until dissolved and set aside.
Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, beat together butter and shortening. Add sugars, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, baking soda, salt, and cloves. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and coffee mixture. Beat in flour until combined. Chill dough. Preheat oven to 325°F.
Line a cookie sheet. Shape dough into balls, roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place on sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on sheet before transferring to wire rack.