Maple Cookies: A Sweet Treat for Every Occasion

There’s something uniquely comforting about the rich, warm flavor of maple. These Maple Cookies capture that essence perfectly, offering a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With their soft, buttery texture and sweet maple icing, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your household. Let’s dive into the recipe and get baking!

Ingredients

For the 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

For the Icing:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• A pinch of salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

Preparation of Cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie texture.
3. Add Eggs: Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps maintain the smooth consistency of the batter.
4. Mix in Buttermilk: Gradually add the buttermilk while continuing to mix at a low speed. This adds moisture and a slight tang to the cookies.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the salt, vanilla extract, maple extract, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix these into the batter.
6. Incorporate Flour: Gradually add half of the flour to the mixture, ensuring it is well mixed, then add the remaining flour and continue to mix until a consistent dough forms.
7. Scoop Dough: Using a spoon, drop approximately two-tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. The cookies should remain pale in color, so be cautious not to overbake.
9. Cool: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Preparation of Icing:

1. Melt Butter and Sugar: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil for two minutes, whisking continuously.
2. Add Liquid Ingredients: Add the milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil again for one minute, continuing to whisk.
3. Cool Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for 15 minutes.
4. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, whisking until it reaches a glue-like consistency. If the icing is too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the desired consistency.
5. Ice the Cookies: Spread the icing over the cooled cookies quickly, as it will thicken upon cooling. If necessary, add additional milk to maintain a spreadable consistency.
6. Set and Store: Allow the icing to set before storing the cookies in a covered container.

Recipe Notes

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Calories: 220 kcal per cookie
• Servings: 24 cookies

These Maple Cookies are a delightful blend of soft, buttery goodness topped with a rich maple icing. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy afternoons, or any time you need a sweet treat, they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends. Enjoy baking and indulging in these delicious cookies!