Introduction

Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles are soft, chewy cookies with a delightful blend of warm cinnamon and rich coffee flavors. Their distinctive crinkled appearance and contrasting sugar coating make them as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, these treats are easy to make and sure to impress.

A white plate with a thin gold rim holds seven round cookies that have a cracked surface covered in white powdered sugar, showing the golden-brown dough underneath in the cracks. Above the plate, to the right, is a white cup filled with dark black coffee, with steam rising from the surface. The background is a white marbled texture with light beige and brown spots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the instant coffee granules with vanilla extract until the coffee is fully dissolved.
Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Add the egg and the coffee mixture, mixing until fully combined.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
Step 5: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
Step 6: Scoop the chilled dough into small balls. Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar to create a crinkle effect.
Step 7: Place the coated dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them well apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until crinkled and set.
Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Tips & Variations

Chill the dough to make it easier to roll and to achieve deeper crinkles while baking.
Do not overmix the dough; stirring until just combined keeps cookies soft and chewy.
For best crinkles, roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar for a striking contrast.
If you don’t have instant coffee, substitute with espresso powder or finely ground coffee.
Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a spicier twist.
Mix in mini chocolate chips to create a mocha-flavored variation.
For a dairy-free option, use coconut oil in place of butter.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. When freezing, roll the dough into balls and freeze before coating with sugar. Thaw slightly before rolling and baking. Reheat cookies gently in a warm oven for a soft, freshly baked feel.

How to Serve

A white plate with a thin gold rim is filled with about a dozen round cookies, all lightly cracked on the surface. Each cookie has a golden-brown base with a dusting of white powdered sugar that settles into the cracks, creating a striking pattern of light and dark lines. The cookies are stacked loosely, some overlapping others, showing their soft, slightly rough texture. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with faint gray and gold veins, adding an elegant background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules?

Instant coffee granules are preferred because they dissolve fully without adding extra moisture. Using brewed coffee may alter the dough’s texture and moisture content, so it’s best to stick to instant coffee or espresso powder.

Why do I need to roll the dough in two types of sugar?

Rolling first in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar creates the classic crinkle effect and gives the cookies a lovely sweet crust with a soft center. This method enhances both the appearance and texture.

Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 112 reviews

These Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles are soft, chewy cookies infused with warm cinnamon and rich coffee flavors. Rolled in granulated and powdered sugar, they create a beautiful crinkled appearance and a delightful contrast in texture. Perfect for coffee lovers and anyone craving a cozy treat.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp instant coffee granules

Wet Ingredients

1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¾ cup brown sugar
1 large egg

For Rolling

¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Dissolve the Coffee: In a small bowl, combine the instant coffee granules with vanilla extract and mix until the coffee granules are dissolved, creating a smooth mixture that will infuse the dough with rich coffee flavor.
Cream the Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the melted unsalted butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Then, mix in the egg and the dissolved coffee mixture until the ingredients are fully combined.
Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, so avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.
Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up. This step helps make the dough easier to handle and enhances the cookie’s texture and crinkle effect.
Roll & Coat the Dough: Scoop the chilled dough into small balls. Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar to create a striking crinkle pattern when baked.
Bake the Cookies: Arrange the coated dough balls evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies have crinkled and are set but still soft inside.
Cool & Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Chill the dough to help create deeper crinkles and make rolling easier.
Do not overmix the dough to maintain a soft and chewy texture.
Double rolling in granulated and powdered sugar enhances the crinkle effect and adds a lovely texture contrast.
Use fresh, high-quality instant coffee granules for the best flavor.
Space cookies adequately on the baking sheet as they will spread during baking.
Substitute espresso powder or finely ground coffee if instant coffee granules are unavailable.
For a spicier twist, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom.
Add mini chocolate chips for a mocha-flavored variation.
Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free option.
The dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours before baking.
Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months; thaw slightly before rolling in sugar and baking.