There's nothing like the smell of Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles baking in the oven—that magical mix of warm spice and rich coffee that makes your kitchen smell like a cozy café. I first fell in love with these cookies when my aunt brought them over for our weekly coffee dates. The way the cinnamon and coffee play off each other is just perfect, and that crinkly sugar coating? Absolute magic. They're so simple to make, but they taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. These little cookies disappear fast in my house, especially when paired with a fresh cup of coffee. Trust me, once you try them, you'll be hooked.
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Let me tell you why these cookies are absolute perfection—the kind you'll make over and over again:
- Quick & easy - No fancy equipment needed, just one bowl and about 15 minutes of prep time.
- Coffee lover's dream - That rich coffee flavor with a cinnamon kick? Morning or night, it's pure bliss.
- Cloud-soft texture - Bites melt in your mouth without being cakey or dry.
- Gift-worthy treats - Tuck them in pretty bags with a ribbon and watch faces light up.
- Kid-approved (mostly) - My niece calls them "grown-up cookies," but she sneaks thirds when no one's looking.
Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for them to cool before devouring the whole batch!
Ingredients for Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Gather these simple ingredients—you probably have most in your pantry already! Here’s what makes these cookies so irresistible:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled for accuracy)
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (freshly opened for maximum spice!)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (check it’s not expired)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (balances the sweetness perfectly)
- 2 tablespoon instant coffee granules (the secret flavor boost!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure, not imitation)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (cool slightly before mixing)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (light or dark—I prefer dark for depth)
- 1 large egg (room temperature blends better)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar + ¼ cup powdered sugar (for that magical crinkle coating)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No butter? Coconut oil works in a pinch. For decaf lovers, swap regular coffee granules for decaf—they’ll still taste amazing. Fresh cinnamon is non-negotiable though! Stale spice = sad cookies. If you’re out of brown sugar, white sugar plus 1 tablespoon molasses does the trick. And yes, you can skip the coffee entirely—but oh, you’ll miss that warm, cozy depth!
How to Make Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Okay, let’s get baking! These come together so fast—you’ll be snacking warm cookies in under 30 minutes. First things first: preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheet with parchment. Trust me, parchment is your friend here—no stuck cookies!
Grab two bowls: one for dry stuff, one for wet. In the first, whisk together your flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt like you’re making confetti. In a tiny cup, dissolve those coffee granules into the vanilla—it’ll look like a murky potion, but smells heavenly. Now, in the second bowl, mix the melted (but slightly cooled!) butter with brown sugar until it’s like caramel silk. Crack in the egg and pour in your coffee-vanilla magic. Stir just until combined—no overmixing or your cookies might get tough!
Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet. The dough will be soft but hold together when pinched. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls—I use my cookie scoop, but a spoon works—and roll them first in granulated sugar, then powdered sugar. This double-coating creates those gorgeous crinkles! Space them about 2 inches apart (they’ll spread a bit). Bake for 10-12 minutes—they’re done when the edges look set but centers still seem slightly underbaked. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes—they’ll firm up perfectly!
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Want bakery-level cookies every time? Here’s my tried-and-true advice:
- If your dough feels sticky, chill it for 15 minutes—it’ll be easier to handle.
- Roll each cookie ball thoroughly in both sugars for maximum crinkle effect.
- Pull them out when they still look slightly underdone—they’ll finish cooking on the hot tray.
- Let them cool completely before stacking… if you can resist eating them all first!
Serving & Storing Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Nothing beats a warm Cinnamon Coffee Crinkle fresh from the oven with your favorite coffee or a cold glass of milk. If they last beyond day one (rare in my house!), stash them in an airtight container—they’ll stay soft for up to 5 days. For that just-baked feel, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds before serving!
Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles Nutritional Information
Here's the scoop on what's in each delicious cookie (but let's be real—you're probably eating three!). Note: Nutritional values are estimates and vary based on ingredients used.
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 7g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 12g
- Protein: 1g
Not bad for little bites of happiness, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles? I've got answers! Here's what readers ask me most:
- Can I skip the coffee? Sure, but you'll lose that warm, rich depth—it's what makes these special! If you must, add an extra ½ teaspoon cinnamon instead.
- Can I freeze the dough? Absolutely! Roll balls (skip the sugar coating) and freeze on a tray. Once solid, bag them—they'll keep for a month. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
- Why do my cookies spread too much? Your dough was probably too warm. Chill it for 15-30 minutes before baking—cold dough holds its shape better.
- Can I use espresso powder? Yes! Use half the amount since it's stronger. The flavor will be deeper and slightly more intense.
- Why aren't my crinkles showing? Make sure you're rolling the dough balls in both sugars—the granulated sugar first, then powdered. That double layer creates the crackle effect as they bake!
Still puzzled? Drop me a comment—I love helping troubleshoot cookie emergencies!
Bake & Share Your Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles
Now it's your turn—whip up a batch of these cozy cookies and watch smiles appear! Tag me in your photos or leave a comment about how yours turned out. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchens filled with that cinnamon-coffee magic too!
Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles in Just 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles are delicious, spiced cookies with a hint of coffee flavor, rolled in sugar for a sweet finish.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- Dissolve instant coffee granules in vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and coffee-vanilla mixture, stirring well.
- Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until combined.
- Shape dough into small balls, roll in granulated sugar, then powdered sugar.
- Place on the baking sheet, spacing them apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Adjust coffee amount for stronger or milder flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: cinnamon coffee crinkles, spiced cookies, coffee cookies
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