Do you love the cozy aroma of coffee in the morning? Imagine that essence baked into a soft, chewy cookie that melts in your mouth. These Coffee Sugar Cookies are exactly that—comfort in a bite, with just the right touch of caffeine to satisfy both your sweet tooth and your coffee cravings.
With a buttery vanilla base and finely ground espresso powder mixed into every bite, these cookies offer a unique twist on the classic sugar cookie. They’re perfect for afternoon snacks, brunch platters, or cozy evenings with a hot drink in hand. If you’re a coffee enthusiast or just want to elevate your cookie game, this is the recipe to try.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
To make perfect Coffee Sugar Cookies, it’s important to have the right tools on hand—not just for convenience, but to ensure consistent texture and flavor every time.
- Mixing Bowls (at least 2): Essential for separating wet and dry ingredients. Prevents overmixing and helps with even distribution of espresso powder.
- Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Creams butter and sugar effortlessly, ensuring your dough turns out soft and aerated.
- Baking Sheet + Parchment Paper: Parchment prevents sticking and promotes even browning without over-crisping the bottom.
- Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Ensures uniform size for even baking, giving your cookies that perfect, professional look.
- Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and avoids soggy bottoms from sitting on a hot tray.
Having these tools prepped will streamline your baking session and enhance the quality of your final cookie batch.

Ingredients for the Coffee Sugar Cookies
Each ingredient here plays a crucial role in the flavor and texture harmony of these soft, chewy delights:
- Unsalted Butter: The base fat that adds richness and soft chewiness to the cookie.
- Granulated Sugar: Gives that sweet lift and slight crisp edge.
- Egg: Acts as the binder while adding moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness and warms up the flavor profile.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the structure and density needed for a tender bite.
- Baking Powder: Adds a gentle lift so the cookies don’t go flat.
- Salt: A tiny pinch balances all the flavors and enhances sweetness.
- Espresso Powder: The star ingredient—adds rich coffee flavor without overpowering.
How To Make the Coffee Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Creaming the Base
In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender texture.
Step 2: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder. The whisk helps distribute the espresso evenly.
Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optionally press the tops with a fork for a signature mark.
Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are just golden. Let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
How to Serve and Store These Coffee Sugar Cookies
Serve these cookies with a warm latte or a cold glass of milk—they pair perfectly with either. Great for brunch spreads, cookie swaps, or coffee breaks.
To store, keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the coffee flavor?
It’s subtle but noticeable—think latte vibes rather than espresso shot intensity.
Can I use instant coffee instead of espresso powder?
You can, but it may not dissolve as smoothly or deliver the same robust flavor.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture may be slightly more crumbly.
Can I freeze the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. Scoop into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in a zip bag. Bake directly from frozen with a 1-2 minute longer bake time.
Can I reduce the sugar?
A slight reduction (about 1/4 cup) is okay, but too much will affect texture and spread.
Want More Coffee Dessert Ideas?
If you love pairing your desserts with a touch of coffee, check out some of these other delicious ideas from the LadyPlate kitchen:
- The Moist Apple Crumble Coffee Cake is a cozy bake that’s perfect for brunch or gifting.
- These Mini Cinnamon Roll Cheesecakes also pair incredibly well with espresso-based drinks.
- Dive into chewy perfection with the Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies, a delightful contrast of crunch and softness.
For more classic comfort, the No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake and Indulgent Chocolate Chess Pie are always a hit.
Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out
You can save this to your dessert boards for next time. Just click the Pin button.
If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you try a different coffee blend? Maybe add a swirl of mocha drizzle? Leave a comment below. I’m always curious how others make it their own.
And for more daily sweet ideas, follow along on Pinterest: LadyPlate on Pinterest

Coffee Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery Coffee Sugar Cookies infused with espresso powder for a gentle caffeine kick. These cookies are perfect for coffee lovers and easy to whip up for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon espresso powder
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Optionally press tops with a fork.
8. Bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
9. Let cookies cool on tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For a bolder coffee flavor, increase espresso powder to 1 1/2 tablespoons.
Don’t overbake—the cookies should look slightly underdone when removed.
Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizing and perfect bake consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg


