This brown sugar coffee cookies recipe is easy and perfect for your morning cup! Start with 3 ingredient coffee cookies, and add a hint of coffee flavor, vanilla, and a raw sugar topping! This coffee cookie recipe is sure to be your new favorite!
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This coffee cookie recipe is based on my Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies, and if you love these, you should try my Biscoff Blondies with White Chocolate! Or for more of a chocolate craving, check out my Cookie Monster Cookies!
Brown Sugar Coffee Cookies Recipe - Easy!
I don't know about you, but for me, the best part of waking up is having homemade cookies to dip into my cup. This coffee cookie recipe is so delicious and is perfect for coffee lovers!
This is a very simple recipe for brown sugar coffee cookies - no chocolate chips or icing, just buttery, spiced cookies with a soft, crumbly shortbread texture and a hint of rich coffee flavor. They're not too sweet, but they've got a bit of crunchy sugar on top for a bit of added sweetness. And they're the perfect shape for dipping!
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What is the best cookie with coffee?
These coffee cookies are the perfect cookie to dip into your morning cardamom latte! They've got a nice rectangular shape that's just begging to be dipped. Their texture is soft and buttery but still firm enough to withstand the heat. And their flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon are the perfect complement to the flavors in your coffee cup!
Ingredients
At their core, these are 3 ingredient coffee cookies -- you can make them with just the flour, butter, and brown sugar! But we'll add some additional flavors to round them out nicely. You can check out the recipe card below for measurements, but here's what you'll need:
- all-purpose flour - measure your flour by weight using a kitchen scale in order to ensure the most accurate measurement and the best texture in your coffee cookies. If you can't use a kitchen scale (this one is under $10!), then be sure to measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method.
- ground coffee - you can use your favorite coffee for these brown sugar coffee cookies -- ideally a fine ground. You can use ground coffee or grind your own whole coffee beans for even more coffee flavor! Or if you prefer, swap in one tablespoon of instant espresso powder.
- ground cinnamon - this is optional, but the flavor of cinnamon is so perfect with the coffee and brown sugar flavors in this coffee cookie recipe! It also makes these cookies pair perfectly with my Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Recipe!
- salted butter - I like to use salted butter in most of my baking, but if you prefer to use unsalted butter, be sure to add ½ teaspoon of salt in with the dry ingredients.
- dark brown sugar - the richness of dark brown sugar is perfect to deepen the flavor of these coffee cookies! I also love flavor of brown sugar in my Kitchen Sink Cookies!
- vanilla - for the best flavor, I like to use pure vanilla extract. Or you can make your own!
- turbinado sugar - this is totally optional, but I love the crunch that a little raw sugar adds to the top of these cookies!
Equipment
First, I highly recommend using a kitchen scale to measure your flour so that you don't inadvertently add too much and end up with dry, crumbly dough. See my post on Measuring Baking Ingredients Accurately for Better Results.
Also, you'll need either a stand mixer or a hand mixer, mixing bowls, a whisk, and parchment paper. I like to shape the dough on a floured nonstick silicone mat, and this is the rolling pin that I use.
Step by Step
Check out the recipe card below for detailed instructions, but here are the basic steps to make these brown sugar coffee cookies!
Combine your flour, coffee, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
In a separate bowl or stand mixer, combine your butter and brown sugar and cream the mixture with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until it's light and fluffy.
Gradually mix flour mixture into wet ingredients until it forms into a dough. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead into a flat rectangle.
Cut the dough into rectangles, poke holes with a fork, and sprinkle with raw sugar.
Chill in freezer while you heat oven, then bake on a lined large baking sheet until the bottoms of cookies are light golden brown.
Let your baked cookies cool to crisp up, and enjoy with hot coffee or milk!
Hint: be sure that your oven is at the right temperature so that your coffee cookies don't spread or brown too quickly. I like to use an oven thermometer to ensure oven accuracy.
Substitutions
Because this is a 3 ingredient coffee cookies recipe at its core, you can substitute the ingredients so easily to fit your dietary needs:
- Vegan Coffee Cookies - feel free to use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter to make this coffee cookie recipe vegan (add in ½ teaspoon of salt if using coconut oil). You'll also want to make sure that the brown sugar you use is vegan. For more vegan cookies, check out my Almond Lemon Cookies or my Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies!
- Healthy Coffee Cookies - you can substitute the brown sugar for coconut sugar, and use almond flour instead of wheat flour to cut down on net carbs. You can also use a butter substitute to cut down on saturated fat!
- Decaf Coffee Cookies - this brown sugar coffee cookies recipe works just as well whether you use regular or decaffeinated coffee!
Variations
Here are some ideas on how you can make this recipe your own!
- Simple 3 Ingredient Coffee Cookies - make a simplified version of these cookies to dip in your coffee by omitting the coffee, the cinnamon, and the vanilla extract.
- Add a drizzle - drizzle on melted dark chocolate, or check my pie crust cookies recipe for a simple vanilla icing recipe. You can also use melted Biscoff cookie butter!
See this Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies for another buttery shortbread recipe, or enjoy these coffee shortbread cookies with Espresso Overnight Oats or a cup of Sweet Cream Cold Brew! You can also enjoy them with an Iced Americano or a Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso! And if you want another coffee flavored cookie recipe, try these chocolate chip espresso cookies!
Storage
You can store these brown sugar coffee cookies up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to two months!
Top tip
Use a kitchen scale to measure your flour by weight, so that you get the perfect texture! If you inadvertently add too much flour and your cookie dough is too dry and crumbly, check out these dry cookie dough troubleshooting tips!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- 2½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour - measured by in grams with a kitchen scale or spooned into a measuring cup using the spoon-and-level method; plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) ground coffee - finely ground
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (227 g) salted butter - room temperature
- ½ cup (110 g) dark brown sugar - packed
- 2 teaspoon (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
- turbinado sugar - for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground coffee, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and brown sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in vanilla.
- Gradually stir in flour and mix well. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to bring the dough together. Pat into a flat rectangle about ⅓- to ½-inch thick.
- Use a sharp knife to cut dough into rectangles. Place 1 in. apart on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and prick with a fork. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar, if desired.turbinado sugar
- Place baking sheet in the freezer to chill for about 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 300°F.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm a big advocate for dipping cookies in coffee! But I think milk is a great option because its neutral flavor and added fat and protein complements the cookie's own ingredients.
This coffee cookie recipe would be perfect to dip into hot cocoa, hot tea, warm apple cider, or egg nog! You could even use it to accompany a bowl of ice cream! They would also be delicious with my Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte!
In addition to this coffee cookie recipe, you'll want to try my Ginger Crinkle Cookies and my Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter and Sea Salt!
And if you love butterscotch, check out my Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies! Or, for LOTS of cookie ideas, check out my roundups of the Best Cookies for a Cookie Exchange and the Best Gluten Free Dairy Free Cookies Recipes!
Last Updated on March 6, 2026 by Chenée Lewis
Susan says
I don’t drink coffee anymore but make a pretty good caffeine free sub with ground roasted date seeds. Do you think using this finely ground in these cookies will work?
Chenée Lewis says
I would imagine that if your coffee substitute has the same texture and consistency as coffee grounds, and you like the flavor, then it should be fine! 🙂
dana says
These are the perfect way to end an evening. Coffee, tea, they go so perfectly with both! A real hit at out house. Thank you!
Gianne says
These were absolutely delicious! The perfect balance of coffee flavor and sweetness. I'll definitely be making these again!
Charles says
These were such tasty little cookies. They went so well with the coffee. I am going to make another batch for the church potluck this weekend.
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful!! I'm so glad you liked them.
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed these with breakfast this morning and started my day off right! Quick, easy and delicious; definitely, a new favorite recipe!