Introduction

Delight your senses with Gilmore Girls Coffee Cake Cookies, a perfect blend of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a crumbly streusel topping. These soft, cake-like cookies capture the cozy charm of your favorite show and will quickly become a new favorite treat.

The image shows a close-up of a soft, round cookie with a cracked surface, topped with a layer of brown crumbly streusel in the center. On top of the streusel and cookie, there are thick white glaze lines drizzled evenly across the length. In the background, there are several more cookies of the same kind slightly out of focus, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 large Egg
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour

For the Streusel Topping

1/4 cup Butter
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup Flour
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Pinch of Salt

For the Icing

1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
1 tbsp Milk
Splash Vanilla Extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
Step 3: Gradually add flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until combined to keep the dough tender.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, flour, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt for the streusel. Mix with a fork or fingers until crumbly like wet sand.
Step 5: Using a large cookie scoop, place dough portions on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart. Press your finger into the center of each cookie to create an indent.
Step 6: Fill each indent with a generous amount of streusel topping, allowing it to overflow slightly.
Step 7: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown but centers remain soft.
Step 8: While cookies cool slightly, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle icing over the cooled cookies in a zigzag pattern.

Tips & Variations

Use room temperature butter for a light, fluffy dough that ensures soft cookies.
Avoid overmixing after adding flour to prevent tough cookies; mix only until combined.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with melted coconut oil in both dough and streusel.
Add chocolate chips to the dough for a decadent twist, or include chopped nuts in the streusel for extra crunch.
Try adding spices like nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for a warm flavor boost.
Replace milk with orange juice in the icing for a bright, citrus glaze.
Swirl peanut butter on top of the dough before baking for a nutty richness.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them soft. Refrigerate for up to two weeks, allowing the cookies to return to room temperature before serving for best flavor. To freeze, place cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature and warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive their fresh-baked texture.

How to Serve

A soft and thick cookie with a light brown, slightly cracked surface forms the bottom layer. On top of the cookie is a generous layer of crumbly, golden-brown streusel, adding texture and roughness. Drizzled over the streusel are thick, smooth lines of white icing, creating a shiny, glossy look. The cookie is placed on a white marbled texture, and other similar cookies blur softly in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

How do I choose ripe ingredients for this recipe?

Use softened butter at room temperature to create a fluffy dough. Ensure your brown sugar is fresh and moist; if it’s hardened, warm it briefly with a slice of bread in the microwave to soften.

Can I freeze these cookies, and how should I do it?

Yes! Let the cookies cool completely, then layer them in an airtight container separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature, and optionally microwave for 10-15 seconds to enjoy their fresh-baked taste.