Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that celebrates the warmth of fall flavors with rich, gooey comfort, you’ve just landed on a dream come true: Maple Brown Sugar Cookies. Imagine buttery, tender cookies sweetened with real maple syrup, generously drizzled with a maple-kissed icing. These treats embody everything cozy and nostalgic about the season, while also being a simple yet standout dessert any time of year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for Maple Brown Sugar Cookies is a breeze, but don’t let the simplicity fool you—each element brings its own charm, whether it’s softness from butter, the caramel notes of brown sugar, or that unmistakable maple aroma. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few quick tips for stellar results:
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and tender crumb for these cookies.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just enough for those irresistible crisp edges.
- Baking powder: Adds a gentle lift for a slightly cakey texture.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and accentuates the maple flavor.
- Unsalted butter (softened): The backbone for delicious richness and moisture.
- Packed light brown sugar: Brings a mellow molasses taste and ensures chewy centers.
- Pure maple syrup: Real maple syrup transforms the cookies with its robust, earthy sweetness.
- Large egg: Binds the dough, ensuring every bite is pillowy and perfect.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm, inviting depth.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for that dreamy, silky icing on top.
- Milk: Loosens the icing for the ideal drizzle or spread.
- Pinch of salt (for icing): Just a touch makes the icing sing!
How to Make Maple Brown Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper to guarantee the cookies bake evenly and lift off without sticking. Getting this step right means your Maple Brown Sugar Cookies will have those perfectly golden bottoms we all crave.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This even distribution ensures you won’t get any salty pockets or uneven rise in your cookies.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and packed light brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is key—creaming incorporates air for a softer, lighter texture in the final cookie.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the pure maple syrup, large egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Each addition adds to the depth of flavor, and the syrup really starts to shine here, infusing your dough with deep maple notes.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixes
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Over-mixing can make cookies tough; a gentle hand keeps them tender and almost melt-in-your-mouth.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and just turning golden. The centers should look slightly soft—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 7: Cool the Cookies
Allow your Maple Brown Sugar Cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This tiny pause makes it easier to move them without breaking the warm, tender cookies.
Step 8: Make and Apply the Maple Icing
For the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, milk, and a pinch of salt until everything is smooth and luscious. Drizzle or spread the icing over completely cooled cookies and let it set. The icing adds a glossy finish and an extra burst of maple flavor.
How to Serve Maple Brown Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Dress up your cookies with a sprinkle of finely chopped pecans, a dusting of cinnamon, or some sparkling sanding sugar before the icing sets. Each option not only boosts visual appeal but also adds a fun textural contrast.
Side Dishes
Maple Brown Sugar Cookies are genuinely delightful alongside a steaming cup of coffee, spiced chai, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pairing them with a creamy beverage or chilled milk really compliments their rich maple sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking and tying a few iced cookies with twine for a homemade gift, or create a maple cookie platter with other flavors like snickerdoodles and chocolate chip. You can also use the cookies for ice cream sandwiches—just sandwich a scoop of creamy vanilla or cinnamon ice cream between two cookies!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Maple Brown Sugar Cookies fresh for days by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. A slice of sandwich bread in the tin can help maintain their softness if you plan to snack all week long.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these cookies, either baked or unbaked. For baked cookies, let them cool and layer between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. For unbaked dough, scoop individual portions and freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag—just bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If you love a just-baked feel, pop leftover cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This will revive their outer crispness and nudge the icing into gooey territory—delicious!
FAQs
Can I use maple extract for an even stronger flavor?
Yes! Swap in 1/2 teaspoon maple extract along with the syrup for an amped-up maple experience, especially if you’re using a light-grade syrup or crave an extra punch of sweetness.
What if I only have dark brown sugar?
Dark brown sugar works in a pinch and will give your Maple Brown Sugar Cookies a deeper, more pronounced molasses undertone. Just expect a slightly richer flavor and a touch more chewiness.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Be sure your butter isn’t too warm—softened, not melted, is key. Chilling the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking can also help if your kitchen runs warm or you like a thicker cookie.
Can I make these cookies gluten free?
Absolutely! Substitute a reliable 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for regular flour. Just be mindful that texture may vary slightly, but the maple and brown sugar flavor will still shine through.
Is it okay to skip the icing?
Of course. The Maple Brown Sugar Cookies are delicious on their own, but the icing does give them extra flair and a satisfying maple burst. If you’re short on time, a dusting of powdered sugar is a great alternative.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a sweet treat that blends simplicity with standout flavor, this Maple Brown Sugar Cookies recipe is the one to try. Warm, inviting, and just a little bit indulgent, it’s destined to become a new baking favorite—so gather your pantry staples and let’s get baking!
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Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your taste buds with these Maple Brown Sugar Cookies! A perfect blend of maple sweetness and brown sugar goodness, topped with a luscious maple icing. These cookies are a must-try for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Bake the cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are set and lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Prepare the icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Ice the cookies: Drizzle or spread the icing over the cooled cookies and allow it to set before serving.
Notes
- For a stronger maple flavor, use dark maple syrup and add 1/2 teaspoon maple extract to the dough.
- These cookies pair well with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
