Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are a delightful homemade dessert that delivers the comforting taste of maple in every bite. These light and tender cookies are infused with maple flavor and finished with a smooth cooked maple icing that creates a rich, buttery topping. They are perfect for holiday baking, family celebrations, cookie trays, or simply enjoying with your favorite hot drink. Made with simple pantry ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe produces a generous batch of soft cookies that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
These Maple Cookies with Maple Icing combine a soft, cake-like texture with a sweet maple glaze that sets beautifully. They are easy to prepare and offer a nostalgic homemade flavor that never goes out of style.
Here are a few reasons these cookies deserve a place in your recipe collection:
- Soft and tender texture that stays moist.
- Rich maple flavor throughout the cookies and icing.
- Perfect for holiday gatherings and homemade gifts.
- Made with basic baking ingredients.
- Yields plenty of cookies for sharing with family and friends.
Whether you bake them for a festive occasion or a simple afternoon treat, these cookies always make a wonderful addition to the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cookies
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 2 cups |
| Eggs | 3 |
| Buttermilk | 1 cup |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Maple extract | 2 teaspoons |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| All-purpose flour | 4½ cups |
Maple Icing
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | ½ cup |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup |
| Milk | ¼ cup |
| Maple syrup | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | Pinch |
| Powdered sugar | 2 cups |
How to Make Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
Preparing these cookies is straightforward and rewarding. First, bake the soft maple-flavored cookies, then finish them with a rich homemade icing while it is still easy to spread.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Slowly blend in the buttermilk until the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the salt, vanilla extract, maple extract, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Mix in half of the flour, then add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each cookie.
- Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. The cookies should remain lightly colored, so avoid baking them too long.
- Let the cookies cool briefly on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack.
- To prepare the icing, melt the butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat. Boil for 2 minutes while whisking continuously.
- Add the milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Continue boiling for another minute while whisking.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes.
- Whisk in the powdered sugar until the icing becomes smooth and spreadable. Add a small amount of milk if it becomes too thick.
- Spread the icing over the cooled cookies while it is still warm.
- Allow the icing to harden completely before storing the cookies.
Helpful Tips for the Best Results
A few simple baking techniques will help ensure your Maple Cookies with Maple Icing turn out perfectly every time.
- Remove the cookies from the oven before they begin to brown to maintain their soft texture.
- Let the cookies cool completely before icing them.
- Whisk the icing constantly while cooking to keep it smooth.
- If the icing becomes too thick during decorating, stir in a little milk until it spreads easily again.
- Use a cookie scoop to create evenly sized cookies.
- Wait until the icing has fully set before stacking or storing the cookies.
Recipe Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Sweet maple with buttery caramel notes |
| Texture | Soft cookies with creamy icing |
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 7 minutes |
| Total Time | 37 minutes |
| Servings | 48 cookies |
| Course | Dessert |
| Cuisine | American |
Variations
This recipe is easy to personalize with a few simple changes.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the icing before it sets.
- Mix a little ground cinnamon into the cookie dough for extra warmth.
- Replace the maple extract with vanilla extract for a more subtle flavor.
- Decorate the cookies with seasonal sprinkles for festive occasions.
- Choose dark pure maple syrup to create a richer maple flavor in the icing.
Nutrition Information Per Serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | Approximately 160 |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Fat | 7g |
| Sugar | 16g |
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients and serving size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep Maple Cookies soft and chewy?
Bake the cookies just until they are set and still pale in color. Once the icing has hardened, store them in a tightly sealed container to help preserve their soft texture.
What is the best maple syrup for Maple Cookies with Maple Icing?
Pure maple syrup delivers the most authentic maple flavor. Dark maple syrup provides a stronger taste, while lighter varieties create a milder sweetness.
Can you make Maple Cookies with Maple Icing ahead of time?
Yes. These cookies can be prepared one or two days before serving. After the icing has fully set, keep them in a covered container until needed.
How do you store Maple Cookies with Maple Icing to keep them fresh?
Place the cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to five days. They also freeze well for up to three months when stored in a freezer-safe container.
Storage Instructions
Allow the icing to harden completely before storing the cookies. Arrange them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper if necessary. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving to maintain their soft texture and delicious maple flavor.
Print
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing, Soft Homemade Holiday Favorite
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are soft, fluffy, and full of warm maple flavor. A rich cooked icing adds a smooth buttery finish, making these cookies ideal for holidays, parties, and everyday baking.
Ingredients
Cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons maple extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Maple Icing:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 pinch salt
2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and creamy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour in the buttermilk and mix until combined.
5. Add the salt, vanilla extract, maple extract, baking soda, and baking powder.
6. Mix in half of the flour until incorporated.
7. Add the remaining flour and mix just until a soft dough forms.
8. Drop 2-tablespoon portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
9. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Keep the cookies pale and remove them once the centers appear set.
10. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. To make the icing, melt the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
12. Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk constantly for 2 minutes.
13. Add the milk, maple syrup, and salt.
14. Return the mixture to a boil and whisk for 1 minute.
15. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 15 minutes.
16. Whisk in the powdered sugar until the icing becomes thick, smooth, and spreadable.
17. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time if the icing becomes too thick.
18. Quickly spread the icing over the completely cooled cookies.
19. Allow the icing to set before stacking, storing, or serving the cookies.
Notes
Do not overbake the cookies. Remove them while they are still pale to preserve their soft texture.
Use a cookie scoop so the cookies bake evenly.
Cool the cookies completely before adding the icing.
Whisk the icing constantly while it cooks to prevent scorching.
The icing thickens quickly as it cools. Stir in a small amount of milk whenever needed.
Pure maple syrup gives the icing the best maple flavor.
Dark maple syrup creates a deeper and more robust taste.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts before the icing sets for extra texture.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Place parchment paper between layers to keep the icing neat.
Freeze the finished cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
Conclusion
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are a wonderful homemade dessert that combines soft, tender cookies with a rich maple glaze for an irresistible treat. Their comforting flavor, easy preparation, and generous yield make them perfect for holiday baking, family gatherings, or sharing with friends. Whether served alongside coffee, tea, or a glass of milk, these cookies offer a classic homemade taste that never goes out of style. Bake a batch whenever you want a sweet treat that is simple to prepare and guaranteed to impress.