If you adore the rich, comforting aroma of coffee combined with the tender, buttery crumb of a classic cookie, you are going to fall head over heels for this Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe. These cookies offer a beautifully balanced flavor that captures the essence of coffee without overpowering the palate, wrapped up in a melt-in-your-mouth buttery texture. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or a thoughtful gift, this recipe brings together simple ingredients that create a truly memorable bite every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe is a joy in itself because each one plays a special role in crafting the perfect cookie. From the creamy butter that provides richness to the espresso powder that delivers that unmistakable coffee punch, these essentials combine to create a harmonious balance of flavor and texture.
- All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups sifted): The foundation that gives your cookies structure and tenderness.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Adds just enough lift to keep your cookies light and airy.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, especially the buttery and coffee notes.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The heart of these cookies, lending richness and softness.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the cookies while helping create that desirable, slightly crisp edge.
- Large egg and egg yolk (1 each): Provide moisture and help bind everything together with a silky finish.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Adds warmth and amplifies the coffee flavors beautifully.
- Strong brewed coffee or espresso (2 tablespoons cooled): Infuses the dough with real coffee essence that’s deep and inviting.
- Instant espresso powder or instant coffee powder (1 tablespoon dissolved in 1 teaspoon hot water): Concentrates the coffee flavor for that wonderful mocha aroma.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup, sifted, optional for glaze): For adding a lightly sweet and glossy finish to the cookies if you choose to glaze them.
- Additional brewed coffee and vanilla extract for glaze: To create a smooth, flavorful coating that complements the cookie perfectly.
How to Make Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Coffee Butter Cookie Dough
Let’s start by bringing all those gorgeous flavors together in a bowl. First, whisk the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. This dry mix ensures an even distribution of rising agents and salt, which balances your dough perfectly.
Next, dissolve that instant espresso powder in hot water — this step might feel small but it’s crucial for releasing the coffee’s full aroma and flavor.
Now, cream your softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This takes patience but delivers that beautiful tender crumb.
Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, unified batter.
Stir in your cooled brewed coffee along with the espresso concentrate. This combination delivers depth, making these cookies irresistibly aromatic and rich.
Gradually add your whisked flour blend to the wet mixture, mixing at low speed and finishing by hand gently. Overmixing can toughen the cookies, so the key here is gentle folding just until combined.
Wrap the dough tightly, refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. This chilling phase not only makes the dough easier to handle but also helps the flavors marry beautifully.
Step 2: Shaping and Baking Your Coffee Butter Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats – this ensures your cookies bake evenly and release effortlessly.
Take your chilled dough out and let it rest a few minutes if it’s too firm to work with. Now, choose your favorite method to shape the cookies.
- Rolling and cutting: Roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and use cookie cutters for charming shapes.
- Cookie press or piping: For decorative cookies, use a cookie press or pastry bag to pipe out dough shapes directly onto baking sheets.
- Drop cookies: Simply scoop teaspoons of dough onto the sheets for a rustic, casual cookie experience.
Bake for 10-14 minutes, keeping an eye on those edges for a light golden finish and the centers for just-set perfection. Rotate your pans halfway through, then cool cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Optional Coffee Glaze or Decoration for Your Coffee Butter Cookies
If you want to elevate your Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe just a little more, consider a simple coffee glaze. Whisk powdered sugar, brewed coffee, and vanilla together until glossy and pourable but not too runny. Dip or drizzle this over cool cookies, and let it set for up to an hour.
For that extra wow factor, sprinkle a pinch of espresso powder, cocoa powder, or a few chocolate shavings on top of the wet glaze. These finishing touches add texture and amplify the coffee notes beautifully.
How to Serve Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of finely ground espresso beans transforms these cookies into little coffee-themed works of art. If you’ve added glaze, garnishing with dark chocolate shavings brings contrast and richness that’s hard to resist.
Side Dishes
Pair your Coffee Butter Cookies with a steaming cup of coffee, espresso, or even a creamy latte — these cookies were practically made to be savored alongside coffee drinks. For an indulgent treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a decorative platter sprinkled with coffee beans or surrounded by cinnamon sticks for a rustic, inviting display. You might also sandwich pairs with a coffee-flavored buttercream or cream cheese frosting to surprise and delight your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and optionally glazed, your Coffee Butter Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep them layered with parchment paper to avoid sticking and preserve that perfect texture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze well both before and after baking. Freeze shaped dough tightly wrapped for up to three months, then bake directly from frozen. Baked cookies should be frozen in a single layer on a tray, then transferred to a resealable bag once firm to keep them fresh.
Reheating
Warm your Coffee Butter Cookies gently in a low oven for 5 minutes or so to bring back that freshly baked softness and aroma. Avoid microwaving as it may alter the texture, making them chewy or tough.
FAQs
Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso powder in this Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe?
Yes, you can substitute regular brewed coffee for espresso powder, but the flavor might be less concentrated. Using espresso powder gives a more intense and authentic coffee taste, while brewed coffee adds moisture and subtle coffee notes.
How important is chilling the dough for these cookies?
Chilling is crucial! It solidifies the fat in the dough, which helps control spreading during baking, resulting in better texture and richer, more developed flavors in your cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
With some experimentation, yes. Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Keep in mind the texture might vary slightly, but the coffee flavor will still shine.
Is the glaze necessary for the Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe?
The glaze is optional but highly recommended if you want a sweet, shiny finish and an extra layer of coffee flavor. Without it, the cookies are still delicious, buttery, and full of coffee essence.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these coffee butter cookies stay fresh for about one week at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
This Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe is a true delight for any coffee lover or cookie enthusiast. Its rich flavor, tender crumb, and inviting aroma make every bite a little moment of joy. Whether you’re baking for yourself, friends, or family, these cookies are sure to become a beloved favorite—so go ahead and give them a try; I promise you won’t regret it!
Print
Coffee Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Coffee Butter Cookies combine the rich, smooth flavor of butter with an intense coffee essence, creating a delicate and flavorful treat. Perfectly crisp on the edges and tender inside, they can be shaped in multiple ways and optionally glazed with a coffee-infused icing for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons very strong brewed coffee or espresso, cooled completely
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder or instant coffee powder, dissolved in 1 teaspoon hot water
Optional Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons very strong brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside for later incorporation.
- Prepare the Coffee Concentrate: Dissolve the instant espresso or coffee powder in 1 teaspoon of hot water in a small heatproof bowl. Stir until completely dissolved and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Egg, Yolk, and Vanilla: Add the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to keep the mixture uniform.
- Incorporate the Coffee Flavor: Add the cooled strong brewed coffee and the dissolved espresso paste to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed just until combined to evenly distribute the coffee flavors.
- Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Turn the mixer to low and add the dry flour mixture a third at a time, mixing only until combined after each addition. Finish mixing by hand if necessary to prevent overworking the dough, which could toughen the cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into one or two disks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours or overnight. This chilling step is crucial for flavor development and ease of handling.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare the Dough for Shaping: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. If it’s very firm, let it soften at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to make shaping easier.
- Shape the Cookies (Choose Your Method): You can roll out and cut the dough with cookie cutters to about ¼-inch thickness, or use a cookie press or piping bag to create shapes directly on the baking sheets, or simply scoop rounded teaspoons to make rustic drop cookies. Leave roughly 1 inch between cookies for even baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are set. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to promote even color and texture.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer carefully to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Coffee Glaze (Optional): If glazing, whisk together sifted powdered sugar, cooled strong brewed coffee, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Adjust the coffee quantity to get a smooth, pourable glaze that isn’t too thin.
- Glaze the Cooled Cookies: Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze or drizzle it over them using a spoon or small whisk. For precise decorative patterns, use a small piping bag.
- Allow Glaze to Set: Place the glazed cookies on a wire rack lined with parchment paper and let the glaze harden fully, about 30 minutes to an hour, before stacking or storing.
- Optional Decorations: For extra flair, sprinkle some instant espresso powder, cocoa powder, or finely grated chocolate shavings over the wet glaze before it sets.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and improved flavor.
- You can customize cookie shape using cookie cutters, a press, piping, or simple drop cookies.
- If the dough is too hard to shape after chilling, let it warm a bit at room temperature.
- The optional coffee glaze adds sweetness and extra coffee flavor but can be omitted.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze the dough for longer storage.
