Name: Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (Softened to room temperature); 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar (Measured and leveled); 1/4 cup Maple Syrup (Preferably pure maple syrup); 1 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Spooned and leveled); 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder (Measured); 1/4 teaspoon Salt (Fine or kosher salt); 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Pure if possible); 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Sifted for smooth icing); 1-2 tablespoons Maple Syrup (for icing) (Start with 1 tbsp and add more if needed)

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Creamy, buttery cookies kissed with real maple syrup — these Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are a cozy, comforting bite that feels like a warm hug on a cool morning. This recipe delivers tender cookie centers, a slight golden edge, and just the right maple sweetness in the icing to elevate every nibble. Fun fact: pure maple syrup was a treasured treat by early North American settlers and remains a beloved pantry staple today.

This recipe is wonderfully simple and family-friendly, perfect for baking with kids or prepping for a holiday cookie swap. If you want to see the same recipe laid out in a printable format, visit the maple cookies with maple icing recipe page for a quick reference. The short prep time and straightforward ingredients make these cookies a go-to when you want something homemade without fuss.

Compared to other cookie favorites on the blog, these are less rich than a butter cookie but more maple-forward than a simple sugar cookie, offering the best of both worlds. Read on, and get excited to bake — these cookies are worth the little time they ask for.

What is Maple Cookies with Maple Icing?

Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are exactly what they sound like: soft, buttery cookies flavored with maple and finished with a sweet maple glaze. Where did the name come from — did someone put a maple leaf on them and call it a day? Maybe. Or maybe the maple flavor is so bold you can’t help but chant the word “maple” with each bite.

Is this the recipe that proves “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”? Quite possibly — warm cookies and maple icing have a knack for winning people over. Try them and see if they don’t become someone’s favorite. Go ahead — bake a batch and tell us how they disappeared.

Why You’ll Love This:

The first reason you’ll fall for these cookies is the maple flavor: real maple syrup in the dough and icing gives a warm, woodsy sweetness that’s comforting and grown-up without being overly sweet. Second, making them at home saves money — store-bought maple cookies can be pricey, but this recipe uses pantry staples and one small bottle of maple syrup for a fraction of the cost. Third, the texture and toppings shine: tender, lightly crisp edges and a glossy maple icing that hardens just enough to add a satisfying contrast.

These cookies are perfect for after-school snacks, brunch spreads, or a cozy treat with tea. If you enjoy textures similar to our carrot cake treats, you might also like the airy sweetness in the carrot cake cookies with cream cheese frosting featured on the blog. Now grab your mixing bowl — these cookies are begging to be baked.

How to Make:

Quick Overview

This recipe is easy, quick, and satisfying. You’ll cream butter and sugar, fold in maple syrup and vanilla, combine dry ingredients, and bake small, tender cookies that toast at the edges. The standout element is the maple icing — just powdered sugar and maple syrup — which gives a glossy, flavorful finish. Total time: about 25–30 minutes (10–12 minutes baking).

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar, measured and leveled
1/4 cup maple syrup, preferably pure maple syrup
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 teaspoon baking powder, measured
1/4 teaspoon salt, fine or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, pure if possible
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted for smooth icing
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (for icing), start with 1 tbsp and add more if needed

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Scrape the bowl once.
Add the 1/4 cup maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until well combined and smooth.
In another bowl, whisk together the 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to evenly distribute the leavening.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low just until a dough forms. Do not overmix; stop when no streaks of flour remain.
Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon of dough each) and place them on the lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are just golden and the centers are set. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even color.
While the cookies cool on a wire rack, prepare the icing by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon maple syrup; stir until smooth. Add a second tablespoon only if the glaze is too thick to drizzle.
Drizzle or spread the icing over the cooled cookies and let them set for 10–20 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious maple cookies!

Maple Cookies with Maple Icing

What to Serve With:

A warm cup of coffee or black tea to balance the sweetness.
Spiced cider or milk for a kid-friendly pairing.
Fresh fruit slices like apples or pears for a crisp contrast.
A small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert plate.
Cheese board with mild cheddar and crackers for a grown-up snack platter.

Top Tips for Perfecting:

Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor; imitation syrups lack depth.
Room temperature butter creams more evenly — take it out 30 minutes ahead.
Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling to avoid dry, dense cookies.
If your dough is sticky, chill for 15 minutes before rolling to make shaping easier.
For a more pronounced maple flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon maple extract (optional) but reduce added maple syrup slightly.
Don’t overbake; remove when edges are golden and centers are set for the softest texture.
To make icing thicker, add more powdered sugar; to thin, add maple syrup a few drops at a time.

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Refrigeration: Store fully cooled and iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, store in the fridge for up to 5 days and bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezing: Freeze baked, un-iced cookies in a single layer on a tray for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then ice after thawing. Iced cookies can also be frozen in a single layer, separated by parchment, for up to 1 month.
Reheating: Warm a cookie for 5–7 seconds in the microwave to revive the soft texture, or place in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes for a lightly toasted edge. Avoid prolonged heat to prevent the icing from melting too much.

FAQs

Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yes — use light brown sugar for a slightly deeper, caramel-like flavor; it may make the cookies a touch denser and moister.

What kind of maple syrup should I buy?
Choose pure maple syrup (Grade A) for authentic flavor. Avoid pancake syrup labeled as “maple flavored” for best results.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours. Let it sit a few minutes at room temperature if it becomes too firm to roll.

How do I make the icing thicker or thinner?
For thicker icing, add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. For thinner glaze, add extra maple syrup a few drops at a time until you reach desired consistency.

Are these cookies gluten-free or easily adaptable?
To make them gluten-free, substitute an equal weight of a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. The texture may vary slightly but should remain tender.

Conclusion

These Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are an easy, crowd-pleasing treat that combines buttery cookie texture with unmistakable maple flavor — perfect for breakfast trays, cookie exchanges, or cozy evenings. They’re straightforward enough for beginners and comforting enough to become a family favorite. For more maple-inspired cookie ideas and variations, you might enjoy this classic Maple Brown Sugar Cookies – Sally’s Baking or a spiced twist in the Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze Recipe – Pinch of Yum. Give these cookies a try, share them with friends, and savor that warm maple goodness.