Maple Cookies With Maple Icing Recipe
If you’re looking for the coziest treat to usher in sweater weather, Maple Cookies With Maple Icing absolutely need a spot on your baking list. These cookies are like autumn in dessert form, with the rich aroma of maple syrup and brown sugar wafting through your kitchen. The dough bakes up soft and chewy, while a silky maple icing adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether you share them at a gathering or keep them all to yourself with a cup of tea, this recipe is pure comfort and a celebration of maple’s unique, earthy sweetness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I adore about these Maple Cookies With Maple Icing is how every ingredient serves an important role, from deepening flavor to creating that irresistible texture. Don’t be tempted to substitute — each one brings something special to the party!
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter is essential for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base.
- Packed brown sugar: Adds chewy richness and a hint of caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with maple.
- Pure maple syrup: The star of the show — use the real stuff for authentic flavor and a golden hue.
- Large egg: Binds the dough together while keeping the cookies soft.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the sweetness and enhances the maple notes.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure without making the cookies dense.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies a gentle lift for that perfect soft bite.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings all the flavors together.
- Ground cinnamon: A subtle, warming spice that makes every bite feel like fall.
- Powdered sugar (for icing): Creates a smooth, sweet base for the maple glaze.
- Pure maple syrup (for icing): Doubles down on maple flavor in every bite.
- Milk (for icing): Adjusts the icing to just the right drizzling consistency.
- Pinch of salt (for icing): Keeps the icing from becoming overly sweet and highlights the maple.
How to Make Maple Cookies With Maple Icing
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This not only prevents sticking but also helps the cookies bake evenly and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for creating cookies that are tender and airy — don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Maple Syrup, Egg, and Vanilla
Beat in the pure maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The maple syrup not only flavors the dough but also keeps the cookies moist and chewy.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This ensures that the baking soda and spices are evenly distributed before meeting the wet ingredients.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as everything is incorporated.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
Step 7: Cool the Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes (they’ll finish setting up), then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is important for getting the perfect texture and prepping them for icing.
Step 8: Make the Maple Icing
While the cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Add milk gradually until the icing is thick but easily spreadable — don’t rush this part, as a little milk goes a long way.
Step 9: Ice the Cookies
Once the cookies are fully cool, spoon or drizzle the maple icing generously over each one. Let the icing set before serving or storing, so you get that beautiful, glossy finish that makes these Maple Cookies With Maple Icing so tempting.
How to Serve Maple Cookies With Maple Icing
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, sprinkle the freshly iced cookies with chopped toasted pecans or a pinch of cinnamon. These little flourishes add a bit of crunch and a pop of color, making every cookie look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair Maple Cookies With Maple Icing with a mug of hot apple cider, a creamy chai latte, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warmth of the spices and the sweetness of the maple play beautifully with cozy fall drinks and simple frozen desserts.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies on a rustic wooden board with a drizzle of extra maple icing, or package them up in clear cellophane bags tied with twine for a sweet homemade gift. For a festive touch, use leaf-shaped cookie cutters for the dough before baking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Maple Cookies With Maple Icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Place wax paper between layers to keep the icing looking perfect and prevent the cookies from sticking together.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Once the icing has set, arrange the cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 months.
Reheating
If you like your cookies slightly warm, pop them (without icing) in a 300°F oven for 3 to 4 minutes. If they’re already iced, let them come to room temperature on the counter — the icing will stay glossy and the cookies perfectly soft.
FAQs
Can I use pancake syrup instead of pure maple syrup?
For the best flavor, always go with pure maple syrup. Pancake syrup is mostly corn syrup and doesn’t have the same depth or richness that makes these cookies shine.
Do I have to use unsalted butter?
Unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness of your cookies. If you only have salted butter, just cut back the added salt in the recipe by half.
Can I add nuts to the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch and complement the maple flavor beautifully. Just fold in about half a cup with the dry ingredients.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for 20 to 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape better, especially if your kitchen is warm or if your butter was very soft.
Is this recipe suitable for making ahead for parties?
Definitely! Maple Cookies With Maple Icing can be baked and iced a day or two in advance. Just store them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh and fabulous for your event.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a treat that feels like a cozy hug, these Maple Cookies With Maple Icing are the answer. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and I can’t wait for you to share them with friends and family — or simply savor them with your favorite hot drink. Give this recipe a try, and let the sweet magic of maple fill your kitchen!
Print
Maple Cookies With Maple Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft and flavorful Maple Cookies with Maple Icing combine the warm, rich taste of pure maple syrup with a hint of cinnamon. Perfectly tender with a sweet maple glaze, they make an ideal dessert or fall treat that’s delightfully comforting and easy to bake.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Maple Icing
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is smoothly combined, infusing the dough with sweet maple flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to distribute the leavening and spices evenly throughout the batter.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated to avoid tough cookies from overmixing.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown, providing a slight crisp contrast to the softer centers.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely; this prevents breakage and sets the texture.
- Prepare Maple Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Add milk slowly until the icing reaches a thick but spreadable consistency, perfect for glazing.
- Ice Cookies: Once cookies are completely cool, spoon or drizzle the icing over the tops, then allow it to set before serving or storing to enjoy a sweet finish.
Notes
- For a deeper maple flavor, opt for dark amber maple syrup instead of lighter varieties.
- Consider adding chopped pecans to the dough to introduce a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Store iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best freshness.
- If you prefer a thicker icing, reduce milk quantity or add more powdered sugar gradually.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
