Name: Maple Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; 1 tsp cinnamon; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar; ½ cup pure maple syrup (Grade A recommended); 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¼ cup unsalted butter; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 2 tbsp maple syrup; 1–2 tbsp milk; ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional); Flaky sea salt or chopped pecans

Jump to Recipe

If you crave the cozy sweetness of maple all year long, these Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are bound to steal your heart. Each cookie is a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat boasting pure maple flavor, warm hints of cinnamon, and a glossy brown butter maple icing that’s truly irresistible. Whether you serve them for a family gathering, share with friends, or keep a secret stash for yourself, these cookies turn any day into something a little more special.

Maple Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Maple Cookies with Maple Icing is that the ingredient list is straightforward, but every element plays an important role—from the richness of brown sugar to the iconic flavor of pure maple syrup. Here’s what you’ll need to bake up a batch of comfort.

All-purpose flour: The essential base for structure so your cookies are soft but sturdy enough to hold the dreamy icing.
Baking soda: Gives the cookies just the right lift and a gentle chew in every bite.
Salt: A little salt brings out the depth of maple and balances all the sweetness.
Cinnamon: Adds a cozy, aromatic warmth that pairs beautifully with maple.
Unsalted butter: Essential for that tender crumb; you’ll need extra for the icing, too.
Brown sugar: Caramel-like sweetness that deepens the cookie’s flavor and gives a soft texture.
Pure maple syrup: Go for Grade A if you can for the richest maple flavor; this is the magical ingredient in both cookie and icing.
Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds a lovely backdrop of sweetness.
Powdered sugar: Gives the icing a smooth, melt-on-your-tongue quality that sets beautifully on top of the cookies.
Milk: Just enough to bring the icing to the perfect, spreadable consistency.
Flaky sea salt or chopped pecans: For garnish, these add an extra hit of texture and flavor right at the end.

How to Make Maple Cookies with Maple Icing

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by mixing your dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon—in a medium bowl and set them aside. In a larger bowl, cream the softened butter with brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy; it sets the stage for a wonderfully soft cookie. Beat in the maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract, savoring the aroma as the batter comes together. Gradually add your dry ingredients, stopping as soon as everything is blended. The dough is quite soft, so don’t skip a 30-minute chill in the fridge; it makes scooping and baking much easier!

Step 2: Bake the Cookies

While your dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless cleanup. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions—this is a perfect size for thick, soft cookies—and arrange them 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are just turning golden. It’s tempting, but let them cool completely on wire racks so they’re sturdy enough for icing later.

Step 3: Make the Brown Butter Maple Icing

This is where the magic happens! Brown your butter in a saucepan, swirling gently, until it smells nutty and looks golden. Off the heat, whisk in powdered sugar and sweet maple syrup, drizzling in milk bit by bit until your icing is lush and glossy. A pinch of cinnamon here is optional, but absolutely delightful if you love things extra cozy.

Step 4: Ice and Garnish the Cookies

Once your cookies are cool, make it rain icing! Dollop or spread a generous amount over each cookie, letting it drip over the sides. Before the icing sets, sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a pop of flavor or scatter chopped pecans for crunch. This step not only adds flavor but also turns your Maple Cookies with Maple Icing into treat-shop beauties.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Stack your cookies high on a platter, pour a mug of something warm, and enjoy every bite. Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are best when shared—expect lots of smiles and requests for your recipe!

How to Serve Maple Cookies with Maple Icing

Garnishes

The garnishes elevate these cookies from simple to stunning. Try a light sprinkling of flaky sea salt for savory contrast, or go for chopped pecans to mirror classic maple-pecan flavors. For a whimsical touch, edible gold dust or even a pinch of cinnamon sugar can make your Maple Cookies with Maple Icing look as magical as they taste.

Side Dishes

While these cookies are a star on their own, they pair beautifully with a creamy latte, vanilla ice cream, or a little bowl of fresh berries. If you’re in the mood for a full dessert spread, arrange them with chocolate-dipped shortbread or spiced nuts—every bite becomes even more special.

Creative Ways to Present

Box up a dozen Maple Cookies with Maple Icing in a pretty tin or stack them in a glass jar with a festive ribbon for the ultimate homemade gift. Arrange them on a rustic wooden board with your favorite mugs and a thermos of hot chocolate, or serve them as part of an afternoon tea spread. For holidays, nestle them among pine sprigs and orange slices for cozy, wintry vibes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once they’re cooled and iced, these cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. To avoid sticking, layer parchment between each row. The flavor of the maple and brown butter only gets better as they sit!

Freezing

If you want to get ahead, you can freeze both baked cookies and unbaked dough. Freeze un-iced cookies in zip-top bags for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw and then top with fresh maple icing so the glaze looks and tastes its best.

Reheating

To revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, warm cookies gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds (un-iced is best for this step). If you’ve frozen dough balls, let them thaw slightly before baking as usual.

FAQs

Can I use pancake syrup instead of pure maple syrup?

Pure maple syrup is the secret to the deep, natural maple flavor in Maple Cookies with Maple Icing. Pancake syrup just can’t compare, but in a pinch, it will work—just expect a milder, sweeter taste and a less nuanced result.

Do I have to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling is highly recommended! It firms the dough for easier scooping and helps the cookies bake up thick and tender, preventing them from spreading too much in the oven.

Is it possible to make these cookies dairy-free?

Absolutely. Swap in your favorite plant-based butter for both the cookie dough and icing. Double check that your milk of choice for the icing is also dairy-free—oat or almond works beautifully.

How do I get the icing super glossy?

For the shiniest Maple Cookies with Maple Icing, brown the butter just until foamy and golden, then whisk the powdered sugar and maple syrup in well. Adding the milk slowly ensures a smooth, spreadable glaze with a beautiful sheen.

Can I add mix-ins to the dough?

Definitely! Chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or even white chocolate chips are delicious in the dough, giving each cookie a little crunch and extra flavor alongside the maple and cinnamon.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably joyful about a batch of homemade Maple Cookies with Maple Icing—each one is a little moment of comfort, wrapped in sweet maple and cozy spice. If you love those nostalgic, autumnal flavors or simply want an easy wow-worthy cookie, make these soon and watch them become a new favorite. Happy baking!