Coffee Bean Cookies Easy Recipe
This coffee bean cookies recipe was first published on the 20th of September 2021.
If you have been around here for a fair while, you know we have a thing for coffee. Maybe more than just a thing, since we drink coffee constantly and live for it. But the one thing we do not seem to enjoy too much is coffee-flavoured food items.
Which, I know, sounds weird. But what can I tell you – we’re very selective on coffee, so nothing random can be a thing for us. Until we baked these coffee bean cookies. Now, don’t get me wrong, coffee is my life, but I love to drink it, not to make it or use it in other things.
You are bound to find me sipping a nice iced latte in summer and espresso or flat white in winter. Just me + a cup of coffee = happy Simona all around. And I am so so addicted to caffeine, I get major headaches when I don’t drink it. Even for a day. You’ll find me just complaining on the side, wishing for the coffee to just appear. Because sometimes I am just too lazy to make myself a cup. Does it ever happen to you as well? No? Oh, dear…
One tends to crave the caffeine, you know, never the caffeine-making process somehow. Or any making process in general with me, but I guess you might have gathered that too by now, right?! Queen of the lazy butts through and through, ’round here. I love cooking, but I love eating more. And while I have some kind of cooking spree, they are always kind of rare and very sparse too. Go figure. The girls are the coffee makers of the family. And let me tell you, I don’t want to take that from them. Or maybe it’s just a good excuse! But I am not only about coffee, a love a great cookie recipe, I mean, who doesn’t?
Anyway, how do you make coffee bean cookies then?
One does not simply walk into Mordor, am I right?! Boromir quote (and subsequent memes) aside – any ‘Lord of the Rings’ fans out here? These little bundles of caffeine are to die for. Kind of a new texture compared to your usual butter cookies, so very much not a cookie if not for the shape I guess. They are dense but crumbly, soft and crunchy at the same time. The chocolate comes through before you are completely surrounded by the coffee flavor. These coffee bean cookies are not too sweet, and they go so well with a cup of – you guessed it – coffee! Dunk them if you feel like getting them softer, or just eat them as they are. Or if you are not a coffee fan – are we even discussing it? – you can have them with tea or milk.
You will not be able to stop chomping on them, I can tell you that. Not sure if that’s because of the caffeine, or the chocolate. But I had to hide them to take those pictures from the family back home! Plus, the look of these coffee bean cookies is just so adorable that people will get overly excited when you take them out of the oven.
What do I need to make the cookies?
The coffee bean cookies are very easy in terms of ingredients, and you’ll probably have most of these around the pantry anyway. From powdered sugar to room temperature butter and instant coffee, milk, flour and corn starch, most of these will be widely available in every home. Don’t forget the good quality cocoa powder and egg yolk and you’re sorted. Maybe get your favourite chocolate brand, you know like a treat to yourself, because yes, you deserve it!
How long does it take to make the cookies?
It’s way quicker than you think – especially if you have all the ingredients on hand! I have (surprisingly) done these by hand and the cookie dough was just perfect. It’s not too hard or difficult to combine the ingredients together as long as your butter is at room temperature.
I cannot stress this enough – it is possibly the most important step of this whole recipe right here. If you fancy some nice coffee bean cookies, the only way to those is room temperature butter. Not fancy cocoa or fancy coffee beans. No fancy espresso or top-quality eggs. It’s all in the butter and the temperature of the butter. Plus, the other special ingredient is…time. Resting time is almost mandatory, not only to keep the shape but also to develop the flavours. I froze my cookie dough logs the night before baking them, let them rest in the fridge to defrost slowly in the morning and bake them around lunchtime in less than 20 minutes. You can’t deny a quick treat for the afternoon, can you?
Are they super strong coffee-flavoured cookies?
Not at all – if anything, I would have wanted more coffee in mine, but you live and learn. These coffee bean cookies look like the deal and as such, need to taste like the real deal too, am I right? You can use instant coffee, but you could also use fancier coffee. Just make sure you put enough to get the taste to come through properly, or else you’ll be disappointed. And we most definitely do not want that from our coffee bean cookies.
I have seen people sprinkling them with icing sugar too and if that’s your jam, please do! But we preferred keeping them as they are without altering the coffee flavor.
Are the coffee bean cookies worth the hype?
I would say yes, the coffee bean cookies are most definitely worth the hype. Not because they are such an intricate preparation, not at all. Mostly because they look adorable, and if the food looks good, then it’s unmissable. Plus, if you are a coffee person as much as we are, you will crave that little kick of caffeine that these cookies have and will give you during the day. And they are worthy of a picture or two for your social media feed too!
Are they difficult to shape up?
No, not at all! Having seen coffee beans before, you know the deal: when rolling your cookie, make sure it’s oval-shaped. Then place on your baking tray covered in parchment paper and cut a slit down the middle. Le voila – it’s done. As easy as saying A B C. Am I right?! We used a chopstick to help us with the slit in the middle. Easy as it can be! But you can also use a toothpick. Check out this coffee cookies video in case you need an example.
Without further ado, though, let me share the recipe for these coffee bean cookies with you now. Promise I will stop blabbing any further words.
Coffee Bean Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 tbsps instant coffee
- 2 tbsps full fat milk
- 136 g plain flour
- 2 tbsps cocoa powder
- 3 tbsps corn starch
- 76 g unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 egg yolk
- 7 tbsps powdered sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a small pot or in the microwave, warm up the milk and mix in the instant coffee in it, then set aside.
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, corn starch and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the butter until light, then add the powdered sugar and combine. Once the powdered sugar is all incorporated, add the egg yolk and mix. Add the milk & coffee mixture, then start adding the dry ingredients a little at the time.
- You will be left with a soft but well combined dough. Roll it in a log and cover it in cling film, then place it in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Cut in 2cm blocks and roll them with your hands until they form an oval, then place on your baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Cut a slit in the middle with a knife and put back in the fridge as your oven warms up.
- They will bake for 15 minutes at 180°C and will store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. That is, if they even last until then.
Notes
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Ceramic Espresso Speckled Cup (Similar) – £8.25 / Dor & Tan Mugs and Cups, here | Coffee Server £14.00
At long last. The coffee bean cookies.
As mentioned, I ended up freezing the cookie dough log instead of simply refrigerating it. This is because of time, but it’s not going to affect your coffee bean cookies at all. It’s also good to know that they do freeze very well so that if you feel like doubling or tripling the recipe, you can store it for up to 3 months in the freezer ready to be baked! You can find out all the measurements for double or triple the recipe on our recipe card above. No need to count or anything, so that there is no pressure at all!
The salt in baking is something I did not use to add, but trust me when I say this recipe can only do great with a pinch of salt added to it. Unless you are using salted butter, in which case please omit the salt addition. You don’t want to end up with some coffee bean cookies that are unedible, it would be upsetting.
Also mentioned above, storage time: they last for up to 5 days in an airtight container, as they are quite dense themselves. But trust me when I say you won’t see them lasting around that much, these coffee bean cookies are too good to be left to spoil. Even my mum, who’s not a sweet kinda-person has gone back to these numerous times. Let me just say that they didn’t last the day at ours!
Special mention!
Special mention on the picture front is our auntie, Rosa! She was visiting our parents while we were there and has been nothing short of amazing hand modelling for Fred all through our shoots. We have rewarded her with plenty of food, love – and a little portfolio should she wish to continue her career in hand modelling LOL
We had a great time back home so far and, while we kinda look forward to going back to London soon, we also wish we could stay longer and enjoy some more family time over here. The usual struggle! But we’re sure we’ll be back again soon – we won’t let anything stop us for as long as we have been stopped this past couple of years!
Back to the cookies.
I do hope you enjoy these coffee bean cookies as much as we did, not only eating them but also making them. They were undoubtedly easy to make quick and super tasty, so you cannot miss out on them! And they are surely an easy recipe you can have fun making with kids too. As much as we love chocolate chip cookies, these are taking the first spot on the favourite list! If you are looking for a vegan version of coffee cookies, this one from Sophie at Glowsteady is honestly just amazing!
If you are a coffee person too, make sure to check out our coffee guides and other articles. Or, If you are after some more recipes, instead, make sure to search our recipe section too. We have a whole selection of cookies like these sugar cookies with chocolate chips or Christmas Cookies too! And for the cake lovers, check out this matcha sponge cake and this swiss almond cake.
PIN THIS FOR LATER!
You eat with your eyes first and I absolutely LOVE the cookies that look like coffee beans, it made me smile actually. Yum, i can smell them now.
They are so delicious, thank you Elise x
We love coffee and cookies! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it! Thank you for reading x
Up until two years ago, a cup of coffee was a rare treat for me. Now I have an espresso machine and drink iced coffee in summer. Basically I am hooked and I partly blame the Grumpy Olive for this. Coffee is everything now. Lovely recipes.
Haha, we take the blame fully! Sorry to have taken you over to the dark side, but as you said, coffee is everything! Thank you for reading x
How delicious do these look! I love that the dough can be frozen, as it is so nice to be able to whip out a delicious dough and bake up a batch of cookies on the fly. 🙂
Absolutely! They are something you want to have over and over so freezing the dough is great! Thank you for reading x
These are the cutest! I am a coffee freak too so I will have to make these. I’m so glad that you emphasized the butter temperature. That can make such a huge difference in how a recipe turns out (or doesn’t). 🙂
I am so glad you like them Heidi, they sure are a great pick-me-up! I completely agree the temperature is so important! Thank you for reading x
Okay, I am absolutely IN LOVE with these! I am a coffee addict, not going to lie. So, the idea of being able to enjoy a coffee bean cookie alongside my coffee just sounds like heaven. Clearly, I am going to HAVE TO give these a try.
Count us too Britt! I am so glad you love the idea, hope you try them soon! Thank you for reading x
yum! these sound really good!!
Thank you for reading x
I love that the cookies look like coffee beans! They look so cute and yummy!
Hope you try them soon! Thank you for reading x
This sounds like the best thing I’ve ever heard! And I love how amazing you did making it look like a coffee bean! I cannot wait to try out this recipe.
Hope you try them soon! Thank you for reading x
These coffee bean cookies look delicious! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Hope you try them! Thank you for reading x
These look delicious! And so cute.
Thank you for reading x
I’ve never heard of a coffee bean cookie before, but these sound absolutely amazing!
Hope you try them soon!Thank you for reading x
These look super adorable! Saving this for the future 💖
Hope you try them! Thank you for reading x
These look delish! I have to admit that although I LOVE coffee, I would never pick something like this, but you might have swayed me. These look and sound delicious.
PS. Yes Auntie Rosa!
Claire.X
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
You know what, I was the same! I hated coffee flavoured things, I would never pick them! Hope you get to try them Claire! Thank you for reading x
Oh god, this sounds perfect for me because I love the smell of coffee and I enjoyed (almost) every coffee-flavored food haha cookies is my number one then candy and cake. This recipe is worth a try! Thanks for sharing girls x
I am so glad to hear you enjoy coffee flavoured things too! Hope you get to try them soon Merry! Thank you for reading x
These are so cute. I’m an odd duck who doesn’t like the taste of coffee but my partner would love these!
Hope your partner will get to try them! Thank you for reading x
These cookies look so cute! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Being a coffee lover too, I’d love to try them out one of these days! x
Hope you try them soon Vanessa! Thank you for reading x
These look so cute and delicious, I recently got into coffee so I know I would love these. Great post! xx
Thank you Anissa x
Not that big of a fan of coffee but I guess it would be better with cookies haha. Tastes so delicious. Lovely recipe x
Oh that’s a shame Monique, but they are quite chocolatey so maybe you’ll like them x
Oh wow! This looks amazing! I need to try this. Thanks for the recipe!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you Lovely x
OMG, these sound divine! I’m obsessed with coffee anything and the shape is just too cute! Thanks a bunch for sharing! Pinning for later x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you Lynn, means a lot x
They look amazing and the images are awesome! Thanks for the recipe! Cris
http://www.photosbycris.com.au/?p=14786
Thank you Chris x
I saw these on Instagram, they look amazing! It’s such a good idea to triple the recipe and freeze the dough to save time later one!
Corinne x
Aww thank you Corinne x
I’m not a big coffee fan, however, I like when it’s baked into things so these sound delish!!
Then I am sure you will love these Della x
The route the post took i liked. explaining what it is to recipe and then family and friends. I’m not for coffee but I can tell the additioj of cocoa powder would make it mellow. And yes I never make any dessert without salt. I’d tell this one to my sis who’s a coffee lover again. Thanks for sharing xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/
Thank you Isa x
This sounds so yummy 😊 I would have to edit because of dietary restrictions. I absolutely love coffee and chocolate. Thank you for sharing!
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
Tahnk you Natalie x
These sound DELICIOUS! I’m obsessed with coffee and have been really into baking recently . . . this sounds like the perfect crossover xx
I hope you enjoy them Mia x
Hi Simone,
These look brilliant! And, being a big lover of coffee, I’m sure that they taste delicious, too. Do they go well with a cup of coffee? Or are they better with a different drink?
I had them with a nice cup of espresso on the side 🙂
Thank you Richie x
This is a lovely recipe. I’m sure they tasted good too. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Fadima x
These look so cute! Also a great idea to bring along if you get invited for coffee at someone’s home.
They would be a perfect gift, yes!
These look delicious, I love that the cookies are in the shape of big coffee beans! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you Lucy x
I love a good cookie, especially a soft cookie so I can throw them in the microwave wave for a few seconds until they go soft and warm. I love a warm cookie. However, although this cookie recipe sounds great, I can’t have caffeine due to my heart issue
It’s a shame, but I love a warm cookie too!
Oh my word. This recipe looks Yummy. I am going to try this.
Thank you Anke x
Great recipe! I love coffee, and I need to be well caffeinated to make it through my busy day! Thank you so much.
They are the perfect pick me up mid-afternoon Michelle x
These look incredible! I’m not a coffee person myself, but my fiance loves everything coffee so I’ll definitely try making these for him one time for a special treat – thanks for sharing this recipe and your photos look fabulous!
I hope he will enjoy them!
These cookies look amazing, I must admit I’m not a coffee drinker however I do love a cookie 🍪. Easy and quick to make, sounds perfect. ☕️ 🍪
These will rock your socks off x
Those sound so good, and they look amazing too! Love that they actually look like a coffee bean!
Thank you Marysa x
These look amazing! Saving this recipe because my hubby would love them (he’s a fellow coffee lover!) & they are so easy to make.
Also laughing about the hand modelling. So cute 😁
Thank you so much! The hand modelling is a new job lol
Oh wow these sound totally delicious! Autumn is the time for yummy baked goods and hot drinks!
Rosie
Thankyou Rosie x
I am not a huge fan of coffee but these cookies look so fantastic I am tempted to give them a try. I’ll definitely be trying this out. Thank you for sharing x
Hope you like them x
I’m definitely getting into coffee a lot more now so I’d love to try these! They’re super cute too x
Thank you Jenny x
I bet these are really delicious. I personally love coffee flavoured stuff.
You will love these then Jamie!
Salt really does bring out the flavour in coffee and chocolate so I can imagine adding it to these lovely cookies does wonders — thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thank you for reading Molly!
These look so cute. I love coffee and I love the design of these cookies.
Thank you!
This is so cool and my favorite is that is quick to cook. I’m always on the look for quick recipes.
Super fast indeed! Thank you for reading!
I am a coffee lover. Like that coffee is shaped like a coffee bean, very creative. Will definitely be adding this to my list of recipes to try.
I hope you enjoy them Kevin!
These are so cute! I love that they look like coffee beans too. I’m the only person I know who doesn’t like drinking coffee but I don’t mind the flavour sometimes so these would be ideal!
Thank you Vourneen xx
Such a cute recipe! I’ve never seen cookies shaped like that before but they really do look like coffee beans! I’m glad the flavor isn’t super strong because although I like coffee-flavored things, it can quickly become overwhelming. Thanks for sharing!
Alexis
You are so right, Alexis!
I have to be honest, if I drink more than one cup of coffee I get a headache, so I’m the complete opposite to you! But these cookies look delicious – and so easy to make too – loving the shape of the beans you’ve got there! x
Thank you Lisa – I drink far too much anyway, so don’t worry!
I love love love coffee, but like you I’ve never really been a fan of coffee flavoured food. These cookies look really good though. I may have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
If you do try them, I hope you enjoy them Tiffany x
These are so cute Simona! I definitely want to make them, I love a coffee cookie x
Thank you Caroline!
What a fantastic recipe to try! I would really love to make this for my parents when visiting our hometown next month 😀 Thanks for sharing x
I hope you will all enjoy them Merry!
Oh dear lord, you’ve just combined my two favourite things – coffee and chocolate! They look so divine and cute too 🙂
Thank you Lindsay!
Another use for coffee, I am all in :). I scrolled the ingredients with trepidation in my heart and, thankfully, it doesn’t seem too complicated. They look good in the picture and I am sure they taste great. Worth a try I feel. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you enjoy them Je x
Oh my, these look and sound absolutely delicious! I love coffee cake so coffee cookies… that sounds right up my street. Sound pretty easy to make also, bonus! Thank you so much for sharing these lovelies Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Thank you Elle x