Maple Cookies Recipe: How to Make Maple Cookies
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 21, 2024 • 3 min read
Whether syrup or flavoring, maple is typically associated with pancakes and the autumn season. There is no reason not to embrace its inherent sweetness in other capacities, and these crispy iced cookies are a perfect vehicle for maple’s wonderful flavor. Learn how to make maple cookies.
Learn From the Best
What Are Maple Cookies?
Maple cookies are chewy cookies flavored with maple syrup. Bakers often use real maple syrup in the recipe to add deeper dimensions of flavor. To identify pure maple syrup, look for the label “Grade A,” followed by a color designation: golden, amber, dark, or very dark.
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener made from the sap of North American sugar maples (Acer saccharum). All tree sap contains some sugar, but this particular maple tree has an exceptionally high sugar content. Earthy, mineral flavors balance the syrup’s intense sweetness for a unique, rich taste that complements brunch classics like granola, waffles, and French toast and flavors desserts like ice cream and cake. Cookies are an easy way to enjoy maple flavor in an on-the-go snack.
3 Variations of Maple Cookies
Try different types of maple cookies to figure out which kind appeals most to your palate. Here are some favorite variations:
- 1. Maple-pecan cookies: Maple-pecan is a tried-and-true flavor pairing, so add chopped pecans to the dough or top the cookie with whole pecans for texture and flavor.
- 2. Vegan maple cookies: Swap out the butter, eggs, and milk for dairy-free alternatives to make a cookie that tastes just as good but doesn’t contain animal products. A flax egg is an easy vegan alternative to a chicken egg.
- 3. Spiced maple cookies: Incorporate warm spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice for a more fall-friendly taste.
3 Tips for Making Maple Cookies
Maple cookies are simple and easy to make. Follow these tips to ensure a terrific cookie:
- 1. Opt for a cookie cutter. Cut out cookies in maple leaf shapes for a fun, decorative element with mass appeal.
- 2. Let the dough chill. Set some time aside so that the cookie dough can rest, which will ensure a more even cooking time and a crisp, crumbly cookie.
- 3. Use maple extract. Maple syrup has a subtle flavor. Incorporating maple extract in addition to maple syrup will deepen the maple flavor considerably.
Glazed Maple Cookies Recipe
makes
24 cookiesprep time
35 mintotal time
45 mincook time
10 minIngredients
Note: The total time does not include 25 minutes of inactive time.
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar and melted butter and stir until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- 2
Add the egg, egg yolk, maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of the maple extract, and vanilla extract to the brown sugar mixture and stir to incorporate.
- 3
In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- 4
Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients, and stir until the flour mixture is fully incorporated and the dough has just come together.
- 5
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes.
- 6
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 7
Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Form a cookie by pulling off 2 tablespoons of dough and rolling it into a ball.
- 8
Repeat this process with all of the dough, leaving about 2 inches of space between each of the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Use 2 pans to bake all of the cookies at once, or bake in batches. Keep the raw dough in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake the second batch.
- 9
Lightly press down on the top of each cookie ball to flatten the dough slightly.
- 10
Bake the cookies until the center of each has just set, but is still soft, 10–12 minutes.
- 11
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for 15 minutes.
- 12
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
- 13
Make the maple glaze. In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar, the remaining 1 teaspoon of maple extract, and milk. Stir until homogenous and well-blended. Drizzle the maple icing over each cookie, letting it drip down the sides. Cool the cookies completely before serving, about 10 more minutes. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
Become a better baker with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Dominique Ansel, Joanne Chang, Gordon Ramsay, Chef Thomas Keller, Mashama Bailey, and more.