Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
These soft, cake-like cookies are infused with real maple flavor in both the cookie and the creamy icing. They taste like a cozy autumn morning in cookie form.
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 10-12 mins | Chill Time: 30 mins | Makes: About 24 cookies
Ingredients
For the Maple Cookies:
· 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
· 1 tsp baking soda
· ½ tsp baking powder
· ½ tsp salt
· 1 cup (2 sticks / 225g) unsalted butter, softened
· ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
· ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
· 2 large eggs, room temperature
· ½ cup (120ml) pure maple syrup (Grade A or B – not pancake syrup)
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 1 tsp maple extract (optional, but enhances flavor)
For the Maple Icing:
· 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
· ¼ cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
· 2-4 tbsp milk or heavy cream
· 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
· ½ tsp vanilla extract
· Pinch of salt
· Optional garnish: Chopped toasted pecans, maple sugar, or a drizzle of melted chocolate
Instructions
- Make the Cookie Dough
· In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
· In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter until creamy.
· Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
· Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Scrape down the bowl.
· Mix in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and maple extract (if using). The mixture may look slightly curdled—that’s okay.
· Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Chill the Dough
· Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 days). This prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
- Bake the Cookies
· Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
· Scoop dough using a 1.5-tbsp cookie scoop (or a tablespoon) and roll into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
· Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set (they will still be soft).
· Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Maple Icing
· In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, maple syrup, 2 tbsp milk, melted butter, vanilla, and salt.
· Whisk until completely smooth. The icing should be thick but pourable. Add more milk, 1 tsp at a time, if needed to reach a glaze consistency.
- Frost the Cookies
· Once cookies are completely cool, dip the top of each cookie into the icing, or spoon the icing over the top.
· Let the excess drip off, then place back on the wire rack. If using, sprinkle immediately with toasted pecans or maple sugar.
· Allow the icing to set completely (about 30-60 minutes) before serving or storing.
Success Tips
· Use REAL Maple Syrup: Pancake syrup (like Mrs. Butterworth’s) is flavored corn syrup and will not give the same deep, authentic flavor.
· Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures proper emulsification and texture.
· Don’t Overbake: Cookies will continue to set as they cool. They should be soft in the center when removed from the oven.
· Cool Completely Before Icing: Warm cookies will melt the icing.
Storage
· Room Temperature: Store in a single layer or between parchment paper in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
· Freeze Un-iced Cookies: Freeze baked, cooled cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw and ice before serving.
· Freeze Dough: Scoop dough balls onto a tray, freeze solid, then bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to bake time.
Delicious Variations
· Maple-Bacon: Add ½ cup finely chopped cooked bacon to the dough. Garnish iced cookies with a tiny bacon piece.
· Maple-Pecan: Fold ¾ cup chopped toasted pecans into the dough.
· Brown Butter Maple: Brown the butter before creaming it with the sugars for a nutty depth.
· Spiced Maple: Add 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
· Maple Sandwich Cookies: Spread icing between two cookies for a whoopie-pie style treat.
Enjoy these irresistibly soft, maple-kissed cookies with a cup of coffee or tea!