The Best Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles – Soft, Spiced Cookies with a Caffeine Kick

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are chewy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and beautifully aromatic thanks to coffee and cinnamon. They’re easy to make with pantry staples, and the powdered sugar coating makes them look like little bakery gems. Perfect for cookie swaps, holiday platters, or pairing with your morning brew, these crinkles combine the warmth of cinnamon with a subtle jolt of caffeine for a cookie that’s as satisfying as it is comforting.

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Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour – Forms the structure of the cookies while keeping them tender.

Instant coffee or espresso powder – Adds deep flavor and a gentle coffee kick without overpowering sweetness.

Ground cinnamon – The star spice that adds warmth and coziness.

Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional) – For a mocha variation that complements the coffee flavor.

Baking powder – Helps the cookies rise slightly and achieve their signature crinkle texture.

Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.

Unsalted butter – Adds richness and helps achieve that soft, chewy texture.

Brown sugar – Keeps the cookies moist and adds a caramel-like sweetness.

Granulated sugar – Gives the cookies a classic sweetness and helps with the crinkled surface.

Eggs – Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the dough.

Vanilla extract – Enhances the warm flavors of cinnamon and coffee.

Powdered sugar – Used for rolling the cookie dough before baking, creating the distinctive crackled appearance.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, instant coffee, cinnamon, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough will be slightly sticky; cover and chill for 30–45 minutes to make it easier to handle.

Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat generously in powdered sugar. Arrange on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops are set and beautifully crinkled. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Essential Equipment

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.

large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.

Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.

Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.

Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.

9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.

knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields 24 cookies. Preparation takes about 20 minutes, chilling for 30 minutes, and baking for 12 minutes, bringing total time to roughly 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Storage/reheating

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, place a small piece of bread or a marshmallow in the container. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.

Variations and Customizations

Mocha Crinkles – Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder for a deeper, chocolate-coffee flavor.

Vanilla Latte Version – Replace half the coffee with vanilla extract and add a drizzle of vanilla glaze on top.

Spiced Autumn Blend – Mix in nutmeg or cloves for a cozier, seasonal twist.

Salted Caramel Drizzle – Once baked, drizzle with salted caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Iced Espresso Glaze – Whisk espresso and powdered sugar together for a thin glaze that hardens beautifully.

White Chocolate Chip Mix-In – Fold in white chocolate chips for a creamy contrast.

Vegan Option – Use plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).

Gluten-Free Version – Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Cinnamon Sugar Roll – Roll dough balls first in cinnamon sugar, then in powdered sugar for double flavor.

Espresso Kick – Add an extra teaspoon of espresso powder if you love a stronger coffee flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant coffee?

No, brewed coffee will add too much liquid. Stick with instant coffee or espresso powder for best results.

2. Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps develop a chewy texture.

3. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days before baking.

4. Can I skip the cocoa powder?

Yes, it’s optional—without it, you’ll have a pure cinnamon-coffee flavor.

5. Why aren’t my cookies crinkling?

If the dough is too warm or not coated thickly enough in powdered sugar, they may not crack as much.

6. Can I make them caffeine-free?

Yes, use decaf instant coffee or omit it for cinnamon sugar crinkles.

7. Can I use a stand mixer?

Absolutely—it makes creaming the butter and sugar faster and more consistent.

8. How do I keep them soft?

Don’t overbake! Remove them from the oven when the centers are still slightly soft.

9. Can I freeze baked cookies?

Yes, freeze cooled cookies in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

10. What pairs best with these cookies?

They’re perfect with coffee, chai tea, or a cold glass of milk.

Conclusion

The Best Cinnamon Coffee Crinkles are soft, chewy, and full of cozy warmth with just the right touch of coffee flavor. They’re easy to make, beautifully spiced, and guaranteed to impress anyone who tries them. Each bite is like a comforting sip of cinnamon latte in cookie form—sweet, aromatic, and utterly addictive. Whether you bake them for the holidays or a weekend treat, these crinkles are the perfect fusion of coffeehouse flavor and homemade charm.

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