Maple Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a treat that perfectly captures the warmth and coziness of fall (or honestly, any season that calls for comfort baking), these Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are destined to become your new go-to. Each bite is loaded with the sweet, woodsy flavor of pure maple syrup, held together by tender, buttery cookie dough and crowned with a silky maple glaze. The aroma as they bake is incredible, and the flavor will have you coming back for seconds before the first batch even cools. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or keeping them stashed for your own coffee break indulgence, these cookies deliver classic maple magic in every delectable bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing come together with just a handful of pantry staples and a few special ingredients that truly make them shine. Each one plays a key role, whether it’s building that soft texture or making the flavor unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: Provides a sturdy, tender base that keeps the cookies light and chewy instead of dense.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies just the right amount of lift for a soft middle and golden edges.
- Baking powder: Partners with baking soda for perfect leavening, ensuring each cookie puffs up nicely.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth that plays perfectly with the maple and brown sugar.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Makes the dough rich and keeps your cookies moist.
- Light brown sugar: Lends a gentle caramel flavor and extra chewiness to every bite.
- Pure maple syrup: The star of the show, infusing deep, authentic maple flavor into both the cookies and icing.
- Large egg: Helps bind the dough together and gives the cookies a touch of structure.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with its familiar bakery warmth.
- Powdered sugar (for icing): Ensures a smooth, creamy maple glaze that sets beautifully.
- Milk (for icing): Thins out the icing just enough so it drizzles or spreads easily.
- Pinch of salt (for icing): Balances the sweetness, letting the maple notes shine.
How to Make Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, which is just the right temperature for baking these cookies to soft, chewy perfection. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze—plus, cookies lift right off for perfect presentation.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This step is essential for even distribution, so your Maple Cookies with Maple Icing end up with balanced flavor and texture in every mouthful.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is what aerates your dough, giving the cookies their signature soft bite and helping the flavors meld together beautifully.
Step 4: Add the Maple Syrup, Egg, and Vanilla
Now, pour in the pure maple syrup, crack in the egg, and add the vanilla extract. Beat again until the mixture is smooth and glossy. The syrup is what gives Maple Cookies with Maple Icing their unmistakable flavor, so go with the pure, real stuff for maximum impact.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Don’t overdo it—stir until you don’t see any dry flour. This keeps the cookies tender, not tough.
Step 6: Portion and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto your lined baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Step 7: Make and Apply the Maple Icing
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Drizzle or spread the icing over each cookie. Give the icing time to fully set before serving for the neatest presentation and best texture.
How to Serve Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, sprinkle chopped pecans or a dusting of cinnamon over the freshly iced cookies. The nuts add crunchy contrast and look beautiful, making Maple Cookies with Maple Icing extra special for sharing or gifting.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot mug of coffee, spiced tea, or a chilly glass of milk. For a fall-themed dessert board, add apple slices, sharp cheddar, and a handful of toasted nuts—the flavors play off each other in the most satisfying way.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange Maple Cookies with Maple Icing in a rustic tin lined with parchment for gifting, or stack them high on a cake stand at your next brunch. For a dessert platter, alternate them with chocolate-dipped shortbread or classic oatmeal raisin cookies for a sweet variety that’s impossible to resist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The icing sets up well, so you don’t have to worry about stickiness or mess—just layer with parchment if stacking.
Freezing
If you want to keep cookies on hand for a maple snack emergency, freeze the baked cookies (without icing) in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw and then drizzle with fresh icing before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked feel, let frozen cookies come to room temperature, then warm in a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Add icing afterward so it keeps its smooth, glossy finish rather than melting.
FAQs
Can I use dark maple syrup instead of light?
Absolutely! Dark maple syrup packs a more robust flavor, enhancing both the cookie and the icing with a deeper maple profile. If you love stronger maple notes, dark syrup is the way to go.
Can Maple Cookies with Maple Icing be made gluten free?
Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a good gluten-free blend. Double-check for proper ratios and you’ll have equally delightful results—just make sure your flour includes xanthan gum for structure.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Watch for the edges to turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft. Overbaking will make them crisp, so pull them when they seem just barely set in the middle for that perfect chewy bite.
What if I don’t have parchment paper?
No parchment? No problem! You can use a silicone baking mat or lightly grease your baking sheet, just be sure to monitor the cookies carefully as they may bake a little faster.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Of course! This recipe easily doubles—just make sure to mix in batches so the dough stays the right consistency, and rotate your sheets so everything bakes evenly.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a mix of comfort, nostalgia, and downright addictive flavor, you simply can’t beat Maple Cookies with Maple Icing. There’s something so joyful about baking these beauties from scratch and seeing friends and family light up at first bite. Give them a try and let them become your signature treat—one that you’ll reach for all through the year.
Print
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your taste buds with these delicious Maple Cookies topped with a sweet Maple Icing. These cookies are perfect for any occasion and will have everyone reaching for more!
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 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
For the icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine and bake: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden.
- Make icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and salt until smooth.
- Ice the cookies: Drizzle or spread the icing over cooled cookies. Allow to set before serving.
Notes
- For a richer maple flavor, opt for dark maple syrup.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the icing for added crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12 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
