I’m sharing my homemade version of Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies recipe—a soft, chewy cookie base infused with warm spices and topped (or stuffed!) with creamy cookie butter.
Table of Contents
How to make Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies
Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies are a type of gourmet dessert cookie made by Crumbl Cookies, known for their rich, indulgent flavors and rotating menu.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup Biscoff spread (cookie butter)
For Filling/Topping:
- ½ cup Biscoff spread (additional for filling or drizzle)
- Crushed Biscoff cookies (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This will ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl or with a stand mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This step is crucial for soft cookies, as it aerates the mixture.
Step 3: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Then, mix in the Biscoff spread until smooth. The cookie butter will add a rich flavor to the dough.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies may turn out dense rather than soft and chewy.
Step 5: For best results, chill the dough for 1-2 hours. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. If you want stuffed cookies, scoop out 1 ½ tablespoons of dough, flatten it slightly, add a small amount of Biscoff spread in the middle, and then cover it with more dough. Otherwise, roll the dough into balls and set them directly on the tray.
Step 7: Place the cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake them for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft.
Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool for about 10 minutes on the tray before transferring them to a wire rack. Drizzle additional Biscoff spread on top, or sprinkle with crushed Biscoff cookies for extra texture and flavor.
Tips for Perfect Cookie Butter Cookies
- Chill the Dough: While optional, chilling the dough makes the cookies thicker and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Don’t Overbake: To get that Crumbl soft center, remove the cookies from the oven when they are slightly underdone in the middle. They will firm up as they cool.
- Microwave Your Biscoff Spread (for Topping): Heat the cookie butter for a few seconds to make it easier to drizzle over the cookies.
- Experiment with Textures: Add white chocolate chips or crushed Biscoff cookies to the dough for a creative spin.
- Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for longer.
What to serve with
Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies are the perfect indulgent treat, so you’ll want to pair them with something equally satisfying to complement their rich, buttery, and caramelized flavor profile.
1. Classic Pairing: Milk or Coffee
There’s a reason milk and cookies are a timeless duo!
- Milk: Serve these cookies with a tall glass of chilled whole milk to balance the sweetness and get that nostalgic feeling. For variety, try almond, oat, or even vanilla-flavored milk—especially for those who enjoy the nutty undertones of Biscoff.
- Coffee: The caramelized cookie butter flavor perfectly complements the deep, nutty notes of coffee. Brew your favorite cup of espresso, cappuccino, or iced coffee and enjoy the pairing for an elevated dessert experience. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the coffee for a warm, spiced kick that echoes the cookie’s flavors.
2. Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Turn your Cookie Butter Cookies into a gourmet dessert by sandwiching vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor) between two cookies.
- Ice Cream Flavor Suggestions: Vanilla, dulce de leche, cinnamon, or salted caramel flavors pair beautifully with cookie butter.
- Optional: Roll the edges of your ice cream sandwich in crushed Biscoff cookies or mini chocolate chips for added texture.
3. Drizzle + Fruits
Fresh fruits provide a light and juicy contrast to the richness of the Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies:
- Fruit Choices: Serve the Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies with sliced bananas, strawberries, or apples on the side. These fruits enhance the warm, caramel flavor of cookie butter and offset the sweetness with some acidity.
- Drizzle Suggestion: Melt additional cookie butter and drizzle it over the cookies and fruit slices for a visually stunning dessert plate.
Ingredients Substitutes
Not everyone has all the ingredients on hand when baking, or sometimes dietary restrictions and preferences call for a few tweaks. Fortunately, you can still achieve a delicious batch of Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies with some well-chosen substitutes.
1. All-Purpose Flour Substitutes
If you’re out of all-purpose flour or want a gluten-free variation:
- Gluten-Free Baking Flour Blend: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structural integrity. Popular brands include Bob’s, Red Mill and King Arthur.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute 100% whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, but expect the cookies to be slightly denser. You can also use white whole wheat flour, which is milder.
- Almond Flour: For a grain-free option, use almond flour. Note that you may need to adjust quantities slightly, as almond flour isn’t as absorbent as regular flour.
2. Unalted Butter Substitutes
Butter is a key ingredient for flavor and texture, but there are alternatives:
- Salted Butter: If you only have salted butter, reduce the salt in the recipe by half.
- Vegetable Shortening: Use ½ cup of vegetable shortening if you need a dairy-free option, though you might lose some of the buttery flavor.
- Coconut Oil: For a vegan or dairy-free alternative, replace butter with solid coconut oil. Refined coconut oil works best if you want to avoid the coconut flavor.
- Vegan Butter: Brands like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s work perfectly as a dairy-free substitute without compromising flavor.
3. Brown Sugar Substitutes
Brown sugar adds a warm, caramelized sweetness to the cookies. If you don’t have any on hand:
- Granulated Sugar + Molasses: Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses to replicate the texture and flavor of brown sugar.
- Coconut Sugar: For a healthier alternative, use coconut sugar—it’ll deliver a similar earthy sweetness and caramel notes.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: You can substitute brown sugar with equal parts maple syrup or honey. However, reduce other liquid ingredients slightly to balance the dough’s moisture.
4. Granulated Sugar Substitutes
Granulated sugar gives the cookies sweetness and structure. If you’re looking for options:
Caster Sugar (superfine sugar): Works as an even swap.
- Powdered Sugar: Use powdered sugar as a substitute—it’ll make the cookies softer.
- Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweeteners: Use a granulated monk fruit or stevia blend for a low-calorie, low-carb substitution. Keep in mind that these sweeteners may alter the flavor slightly.
- Coconut Sugar: Great for a healthier option, but will give the cookies a slightly darker appearance.
5. Biscoff Spread (Cookie Butter) Substitutes
Biscoff cookie butter is the star of this recipe, but here are alternatives:
- Homemade Cookie Butter: Blend crushed speculoos cookies (or your favorite spiced cookies) with a splash of vegetable oil or melted butter until smooth. Add a little sugar if needed.
- Peanut Butter: For a nutty twist, use smooth peanut butter instead of cookie butter. Go for a sweeter variety if you want to mimic the caramel flavor of Biscoff.
- SunButter or Almond Butter: Great for nut-free or healthier versions. SunButter mimics the creamy texture, while almond butter adds a subtle nuttiness.
- Nutella: A chocolatey alternative, though it will shift the flavor profile entirely.
6. Egg Substitutes
Eggs help bind and provide moisture in this recipe. For egg-free alternatives, try:
- Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water to replace one egg. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Chia Seeds: Similar to flaxseed, combine 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Replace one egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce for a moist cookie.
- Mashed Banana: Use ¼ cup of mashed ripe banana as a substitute. Its sweetness may slightly affect the flavor of the cookies.
- Store-bought Egg Replacements: Brands like Bob’s Red Mill and Ener-G make effective egg replacement powders for baking.
7. Baking Soda Substitutes
Baking soda helps the cookies rise slightly, so be sure to use an appropriate substitute:
- Baking Powder: If you’re out of baking soda, use baking powder—but you’ll need to use triple the amount. For example, replace 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 3 teaspoons of baking powder.
8. Vanilla Extract Substitutes
Vanilla extract adds depth to the cookie’s flavor, but you can swap it:
- Vanilla Bean Paste: Use a 1:1 ratio for a more concentrated vanilla flavor.
- Almond Extract: Adds a light, nutty flavor. Use sparingly (about ½ teaspoon).
- Maple Syrup: Use 1 teaspoon of maple syrup for a subtle caramel-like flavor.
Final Thoughts
With this Crumbl Cookie Butter Cookies recipe, you’re not only recreating one of Crumbl’s most beloved cookies but adding a personal touch that makes them even more special. Grab a glass of milk (or coffee!), and prepare to savor the irresistible flavors of Cookie Butter Cookies!
More Cookie Recipes:
- Copycat Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe
- No-Bake Cookie Butter Cookies Recipe
- Almost Everything Bagel Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup Biscoff spread (cookie butter)
For Filling/Topping:
- ½ cup Biscoff spread
- Crushed Biscoff cookies
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This will ensure even distribution of the leavening agents. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl or with a stand mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This step is crucial for soft cookies, as it aerates the mixture.
Step 3: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Then, mix in the Biscoff spread until smooth. The cookie butter will add a rich flavor to the dough.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies may turn out dense rather than soft and chewy.
Step 5: For best results, chill the dough for 1-2 hours. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. If you want stuffed cookies, scoop out 1 ½ tablespoons of dough, flatten it slightly, add a small amount of Biscoff spread in the middle, and then cover it with more dough. Otherwise, roll the dough into balls and set them directly on the tray.
Step 7: Place the cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake them for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft.
Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool for about 10 minutes on the tray before transferring them to a wire rack. Drizzle additional Biscoff spread on top, or sprinkle with crushed Biscoff cookies for extra texture and flavor.