Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe

I absolutely love how these Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe turn out every single time. They’re soft, chewy, and packed with that warm, cozy flavor that only brown sugar and real maple syrup can bring. Honestly, the maple icing on top? It’s the perfect sweet finish that takes these cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness.

When I first tried combining maple syrup in both the dough and the icing, I was hooked. These cookies work wonderfully for anytime you want a comforting treat—whether it’s a chilly afternoon with tea or a festive holiday gathering. You’ll find that they’re straightforward to make, and once you taste them, they’ll be your go-to cookie recipe, especially if you appreciate that rich maple flavor.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe, I’ve picked ingredients that bring out the best in maple flavor while keeping the cookie texture soft and lovely. Using real maple syrup and a touch of maple extract helps layer that rich taste you can’t get from artificial flavors.

• All-purpose flour: Make sure to spoon and level the flour for accurate measuring, which helps keep your cookies from turning out dry or too dense.
• Baking soda: Gives just the right lift and chewiness to the cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates all the flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for smooth creaming with the sugars.
• Dark brown sugar: Provides moisture and that deep caramel-like sweetness essential for these cookies.
• Large egg: At room temperature to blend in more easily and help with structure.
• Pure maple syrup: Use 100% pure—this is what sets the flavor apart and keeps the cookie moist.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds depth and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
• Maple extract: A little boost of maple flavor so the cookies really shine.
• Chopped pecans: Adds a lovely crunch and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with maple.

Variations

I love making this Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe my own by switching up or adding a few ingredients here and there. Don’t hesitate to customize it however you like; that’s the fun part of baking!

• Add dried cranberries: I’ve tossed in dried cranberries for a tart contrast that works beautifully during the holidays.
• Use walnuts instead of pecans: My family actually prefers walnuts for that slightly earthier nut flavor.
• Make it gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend; just keep an eye on dough consistency since gluten-free flours can behave a bit differently.
• Spice it up: Especially in fall, I add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for an extra touch of warmth that pairs nicely with maple.

How to Make Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients Together

Start by combining your flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisking them together will ensure your leavening agent is evenly distributed, which is key for nicely risen cookies. I like to set this aside so it’s ready when I start mixing the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar

Using a hand or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and packed dark brown sugar on medium speed for about 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy. This creaming step is crucial because it traps air, giving your cookies that soft, tender bite.

Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg on high speed for about 30 seconds until fully combined, scraping down the bowl as needed to get everything evenly mixed. Next, add the pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, and maple extract, and beat again on high until the mixture is well blended. The syrup gives the dough amazing moisture and that unmistakable maple essence.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients and Pecans

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed to avoid overworking the dough—you want everything just combined. Fold in the chopped pecans at the end so they’re evenly distributed. The result is a creamy, soft dough packed with delicious nutty bits.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and chill it for at least 2 hours in your refrigerator. I’ve found that this step helps manage spread during baking and helps develop flavor. If you chill it longer—up to 3 days—that’s fine too! Just remember to let your dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling it out; otherwise, it can be tough to handle.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Roll the dough into balls using about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie—I like using a cookie scoop here for consistency. Bake for 12-13 minutes until the edges are lightly browned but the centers still look soft. When you take them out, if the cookies look puffy, just gently bang the pan on the counter once or twice—this little trick deflates them slightly and helps create beautiful cracks on top that I adore.

Step 7: Make and Drizzle the Maple Icing

While the cookies cool on a wire rack, melt the butter and maple syrup together in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking occasionally. Once melted, remove the pan from heat and whisk in sifted confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Taste and add a pinch of salt if you want a flavor balance. Drizzle the icing generously over the cooled cookies, then let it set for about an hour. This icing is the star that adds a silky sweetness and that classic maple finish you won’t want to skip.

How to Serve Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple with these cookies because the maple flavor stands out on its own. Sometimes, I sprinkle a few chopped pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar over the icing just before it sets—that adds a touch of texture and warmth without overpowering the maple.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cup of hot chai or black coffee, especially on a crisp afternoon. For a cozy brunch, I like serving them alongside warm apple cider or even maple-flavored oatmeal. They also make a gorgeous finish to a simple dinner party dessert spread with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies on rustic wooden platters decorated with fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme, which adds a lovely herbal scent that complements the sweetness. Wrapping them individually in parchment paper tied with twine also makes a wonderful gift or party favor. I’ve even layered them between sheets of wax paper in beautiful boxes for holiday gifting—simple but super charming.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and soft for up to a week. Just make sure the icing is fully set before storing so it doesn’t stick to the container. If I want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the baked cookies and the dough with great success. For baked cookies, place parchment between layers to prevent sticking, and freeze in a sealed container. When freezing dough, shape into balls first and freeze on a sheet tray, then transfer to a bag—this way, you can bake fresh cookies straight from the freezer by adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

If you have leftover cookies that have lost a bit of their softness, warming them gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds works wonders. This instantly revives that fresh-baked texture and tastes like you just pulled them out of the oven. Avoid overheating or the icing might get too melty.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Maple Icing Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to bake and share. There’s something about that perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and warmly spiced maple flavor that just feels like a comforting hug in cookie form. I know once you try these, they’ll become a staple in your cookie rotation too—whether it’s for a special occasion or just because you deserve a little sweet treat. So go ahead, give them a try and watch how quickly they disappear!

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