These cardamom coffee cookies bring the classic middle-eastern combination of cardamom and coffee to life. A simple and easy recipe that comes together in just 30 minutes.

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If you visit a middle-eastern restaurant you probably would be offered coffee flavored with cardamom. It's very common and very aromatic. These cookies are a celebration of those flavors.
About these cookies
This recipe is very simple and very versatile. A butter-based cookie dough made with both white and brown sugar. The result is a nice combination of crisp on the outside while soft and chewy on the inside.
The coffee flavor is enhanced with the cardamon. So, both compliment each other beautifully. We use all-purpose flour with just a touch of cornstarch for that shortbread texture. You can also add cocoa powder to make chocolate cardamom coffee cookies
The process itself is simple and easy and gets done in about 30 minutes.
- Prepare cookie dough - 10 minutes
- Chill cookie dough - 10 minutes
- Bake cookies - 10 minutes


Ingredients and substitutes
- Unsalted butter - I like to use unsalted butter in all my baking so I can control the amount of salt. And yet, if you must use salted butter omit the salt in the recipe.
- All-purpose flour - I always use all-purpose flour with great success. You do not need any other flour.
- Cornflour - Adds a crumbly shortbread texture, which I highly recommend.
- Sugar - I've used both white and light brown sugar. White sugar adds a nice crispness while the brown sugar will keep them soft and chewy
- Cardamom - Coffee and cardamom are a classic combination often found in the middle-east. Having said that, you can certainly omit the coffee or replace it with cinnamon.
- Coffee - You have to use instant coffee powder. This is so the coffee melts away into the wet dough. Do not use brewed coffee. It will make the cookies spread too much and the coffee flavor won't be much.
- Vanilla extract - a good quality vanilla extract goes a long way

Step by step instructions
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cornstarch, and cardamom. Set aside
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (In the video I am using a hand mixer so you can see better)
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and coffee.
Tip - we add the coffee to the wet mixture so it dissolves and blends easily. - Finally, add the flour mixture - combine well.
- Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven.
Tip - letting the dough chill will prevent them from spreading too much. - Preheat the oven at 190 C / 375 F.
- Take about 2 tablespoon amount of cookie dough and roll it into balls. Place it on a baking tray and flatten with a fork.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Chill on the baking tray for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- These can be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days.
Frequently asked questions
These cardamom coffee sugar cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to 10 days. You can freeze the dough for up to a month or freeze the cookies for up to three months.
These cookies are supposed to spread some.
However, too much butter or sugar in the recipe can lead to cookies spreading. Too much baking powder or baking soda can also make cookies spread too much.
Place cookies on a cold, not hot baking pan.
And make sure the oven is at the right temperature.
These cookies have a good shelf life as a dough as well as cookies.
The dough, if wrapped well, can usually stay in the fridge for 4 to 5 days before baking.
You can also place the unbaked cookie dough balls in the freezer for up to a month. Bake from frozen. They will take about 12 to 14 minutes
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Printable Recipe
Cardamom Coffee Cookies
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Video
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup (190 g) All-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon Cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cardamom powder
- ½ cup (113 g) Butter (unsalted room temperature)
- ¼ cup (55 g) Brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) Sugar (white)
- 1 Egg (large)
- 2 tablespoon Instant coffee powder
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cornstarch, and cardamom. Set aside
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (In the video I am using a hand mixer so you can see better)
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and coffee. Tip - we add the coffee to the wet mixture so it dissolves and blends easily.
- Finally, add the flour mixture - combine well.
- Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven.Tip - letting the dough chill will prevent them from spreading too much.
- Preheat the oven at 190 C / 375 F.
- Take about 2 tablespoon amount of cookie dough and roll it into balls. Place it on a baking tray and flatten with a fork.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until light golden.
- Chill on the baking tray for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- These can be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Kristi Short
These are grown-up cookies. I love typical chocolate chip and sugar cookies, but these cardamom coffee cookies are far more sophisticated and interesting. They’re not too sweet and offer an enticing combination of flavors. Thank you for this recipe—I will use it again and again.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Kristi. I am happy you enjoyed them. Thanks for leaving this feedback.
supriti
The cookies look so great. I will definitely try this.
Can I use only white sugar?
Veena Azmanov
You can, though they will be crisper.
Riz
Cardamom and coffee is such an amazing combination! I was quite young when I first tried it (alongside Arabic coffee) - I thought it was awful! Skip forward a few years, and wow. It’s a flavour combination for the ages!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Riz. Yes, cardamom can be a new flavor to some people.
Danielle Wolter
I love cardamom and these cookies sound just wonderful. I definitely can't wait to try them!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Danielle.