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Maple Cookies with Maple Icing

There is something wonderfully comforting about the flavor of maple. Sweet, warm, and slightly caramel-like, it pairs beautifully with buttery cookies. These Maple Cookies with Maple Icing take that classic combination a step further by incorporating maple flavor into both the cookie dough and the smooth icing. The result is a tender, lightly crisp cookie with a rich maple aroma and a sweet maple glaze that makes every bite feel like a little taste of autumn.

These cookies are ideal for fall baking, holiday cookie trays, afternoon tea, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. They are also easy enough for beginner bakers while still looking special when finished with their glossy icing.

Why You’ll Love These Maple Cookies

The key to these cookies is balance. The dough is buttery and tender without being overly sweet, allowing the maple flavor to stand out. A touch of brown sugar adds a deeper caramel note, while pure maple syrup gives the cookies their distinctive flavor.

The maple icing provides another layer of sweetness and creates a beautiful finish. Once it sets, it forms a delicate coating that gives the cookies a polished appearance without becoming hard or brittle.

Ingredients

For the Maple Cookies

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon maple extract, optional but recommended

For the Maple Icing

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
A small pinch of salt

Optional Garnishes

Finely chopped pecans or walnuts
A light sprinkle of cinnamon
Maple sugar
A few flakes of sea salt

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Begin by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Mixing these ingredients separately ensures that the leavening agents and salt are distributed evenly throughout the flour. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Place the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat everything together for about 2–3 minutes, until the mixture becomes lighter, smooth, and creamy.

Don’t rush this step. Properly creamed butter helps create cookies with a pleasant, tender texture.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Maple Flavor

Add the egg and beat until fully incorporated.

Next, pour in the maple syrup and vanilla extract. If you’re using maple extract, add it at this stage as well.

Mix until the batter is smooth. The mixture may look slightly softer or looser after adding the maple syrup, which is completely normal.

For the strongest maple flavor, use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup. Maple extract can also be added when you want a more pronounced maple taste.

Step 4: Combine the Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.

Mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Once there are no obvious streaks of flour remaining, stop mixing.

Overworking the dough can result in tougher cookies instead of the soft, tender texture you’re looking for.