Maple Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe
If you’re searching for that perfect autumn treat, look no further than these Maple Cookies with Maple Icing. Imagine a bite that melts in your mouth, filled with cozy maple flavor and finished with a luscious, glossy icing. They’re incredibly soft, rich with real maple syrup, and perfect for sharing (though you may want to keep a few just for yourself). Whether you’re making a batch for a holiday gathering or just craving something sweet with your afternoon tea, these Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are bound to become a household favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about these cookies is how every ingredient has a job to do—each one building on the last to create pure maple magic. With just a few pantry staples and real maple syrup, you’ll be amazed at the depth of flavor and beauty you can whip up in no time.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of your cookies and keeps them just the right amount of chewy and soft.
- Baking soda: Helps lift and lighten the cookies, giving just the right gentle rise.
- Salt: Enhances flavors and balances the sweetness in both the cookie and icing.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds rich, creamy flavor and makes the cookies irresistibly tender.
- Granulated sugar: Provides crisp edges and a lovely sweetness.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and a hint of caramel, pairing beautifully with the maple notes.
- Large egg: Binds the dough and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor and pairs beautifully with real maple.
- Pure maple syrup: The star of the show—real maple brings depth and warmth, so opt for dark or Grade B for a stronger flavor.
- Powdered sugar (for icing): Gives the icing its signature smooth texture and shine.
- More pure maple syrup (for icing): Steps up the maple aroma in every bite.
- Milk (for icing): Just a tablespoon or two helps adjust the icing to a perfectly pourable consistency.
- Pinch of salt (for icing): That tiny dash cuts the sweetness and lets the maple flavor stand out.
How to Make Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lining your pans ensures your Maple Cookies with Maple Icing lift easily and bake up with perfectly golden bottoms, while also making clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This step helps distribute the leavening and seasoning evenly throughout your dough for cookies that bake up just right every time.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, creamy, and a little fluffy. This is the foundation for soft, heavenly cookies—don’t skimp on this step!
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup. The mixture will become luxuriously smooth, and you’ll notice that classic maple aroma starting to bloom. This is where the flavor magic really starts to happen.
Step 5: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet mixture, mixing gently just until combined. Overmixing toughens cookies, so stop when you see the last streak of flour disappear.
Step 6: Shape and Bake Your Cookies
Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and drop them onto your prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart—they’ll spread out beautifully as they bake. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look a touch soft.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before icing. This helps keep the cookies soft and stops the icing from melting right off.
Step 8: Whisk and Drizzle the Maple Icing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, a pinch of salt, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk. You want the icing thick but pourable—add milk a little at a time. Once the cookies are cool, drizzle or spread icing over the tops and let it set.
How to Serve Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky salt over the icing is absolutely magical, offering a little sparkle and a hint of crunch. If you want to level things up, scatter on some chopped pecans—they add a nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with the gentle sweetness of the maple. The combination makes every bite of these Maple Cookies with Maple Icing extra special.
Side Dishes
These cookies love company! Serve them alongside a mug of hot apple cider, a chilly glass of milk, or a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Their delicate warmth and fragrant sweetness complement just about any cozy beverage, making them a brilliant after-dinner treat or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high on a rustic wooden platter, pack them in a pretty box tied with twine for a heartfelt edible gift, or arrange them on your favorite cake stand for a festive, elegant spread. Maple Cookies with Maple Icing look stunning arranged with a few autumn leaves or cinnamon sticks on the side—pure seasonal charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the icing has set, store your Maple Cookies with Maple Icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Layering with parchment between each row keeps them picture-perfect and prevents sticking. The cookies stay soft and flavorful, and the icing holds its shiny finish wonderfully.
Freezing
Both the baked cookies (with or without icing) and the dough freeze beautifully! If you’re planning ahead, freeze the shaped dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to two months. For the iced cookies, freeze them in single layers separated by parchment, then thaw at room temperature for a sweet treat anytime.
Reheating
If your cookies lose a touch of softness, pop them in a 250°F oven for a few minutes—just until warmed through but not hot, so the icing stays set. It brings back that bakery-fresh texture and just-baked aroma that makes these Maple Cookies with Maple Icing impossible to resist.
FAQs
Can I use imitation maple syrup?
Pure maple syrup is really the heart of this recipe. While imitation syrup will work in a pinch, you’ll miss out on the rich, nuanced flavor that makes Maple Cookies with Maple Icing so utterly delicious. If you can, opt for Grade B or dark maple syrup for even deeper flavor.
How do I make the icing thicker or thinner?
If your maple icing is too runny, add a touch more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, drizzle in a few more drops of milk. It comes together quickly and is easy to adjust to your preference for drizzling, spreading, or swirling.
Can I add nuts or spices to the dough?
Absolutely! Fold in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts, or try a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for an autumnal twist. These variations blend beautifully with the maple base, making every batch uniquely yours.
Why are my cookies dry or crumbly?
Dry cookies can come from overbaking or adding too much flour. For the best Maple Cookies with Maple Icing, measure your flour carefully (spoon and level), and pull the cookies from the oven when they’re just golden at the edges but still soft in the center.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! This recipe scales up nicely for parties and potlucks. Just make sure to bake in batches so your cookies consistently bake to the perfect softness, and have plenty of icing ready for drizzling on top.
Final Thoughts
There really is something magical about the simple joy of a Maple Cookies with Maple Icing—soft, fragrant, and touched with just the right amount of sweetness. Next time you want to treat yourself or wow your friends, bake up a batch and watch them disappear. You’re going to love sharing these cozy bites of maple bliss!
Print
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich, cozy flavors of fall with these delightful Maple Cookies topped with a luscious Maple Icing. These soft, chewy cookies are a perfect treat for any maple syrup lover.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
Maple Icing:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla, and maple syrup until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Bake: Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and ice: Let cookies cool on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack. Mix icing ingredients and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Notes
- For a stronger maple flavor, use dark or grade B maple syrup.
- Sprinkle with flaky salt or chopped pecans for added texture.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
