Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are the ultimate answer when you’re craving a soft, bakery-style cookie that feels cozy, nostalgic, and irresistibly indulgent. These cookies bake up pillowy and tender, with a warm maple aroma that fills the kitchen from the moment they hit the oven. Topped with a silky, fudge-like maple icing that sets beautifully, every bite delivers rich sweetness balanced with deep maple flavor.
Perfect for easy dessert recipes, holiday baking, or everyday family treats, these cookies are a standout for anyone who loves simple family recipes made from pantry staples. They’re ideal for budget-friendly desserts, bake sales, and cozy gatherings, yet impressive enough to feel like a specialty bakery treat. If you’re looking for an easy baking recipe that delivers comfort, flavor, and crowd-pleasing appeal, these maple cookies are guaranteed to become a favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Soft, cake-like cookies with a rich maple flavor
• Easy dessert recipe using affordable pantry staples
• Perfect for holidays, bake sales, and family gatherings
• Beginner-friendly baking with simple steps
• Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead desserts
• Topped with an irresistible homemade maple icing
Ingredient Breakdown
Unsalted Butter – Creates a tender, rich cookie texture and forms the base of the maple icing. Using unsalted butter allows better control over sweetness and flavor balance.
Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the cookie dough while helping create a soft, fluffy structure when creamed with butter.
Eggs – Add moisture, structure, and richness, ensuring the cookies bake up soft rather than dense.
Buttermilk – Provides moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and keeps the cookies ultra-soft. This is a key ingredient for soft cookie recipes.
Salt – Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from becoming overwhelming.
Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and depth, supporting the maple flavor rather than competing with it.
Maple Extract – Delivers bold maple flavor without relying solely on syrup, making it essential for maple dessert recipes.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder – Work together to give the cookies their signature lift and fluffy, cake-like texture.
All-Purpose Flour – The structure of the cookie, giving just enough body while keeping the crumb tender.
Brown Sugar – Used in the icing for deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with maple.
Milk – Helps loosen the icing and creates a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Pure Maple Syrup – Adds authentic maple flavor and richness to the icing, making it taste homemade and luxurious.
Powdered Sugar – Thickens the icing and gives it that classic, glossy finish.
Pro Tips
Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly to incorporate air, which results in softer cookies.
Do not overmix the flour, as this can lead to dense cookies instead of light, tender ones.
Bake just until the edges are set; overbaking will dry them out.
Ice the cookies while the icing is still warm so it spreads easily and sets smoothly.
Use real maple syrup for the icing for the best flavor, even if you’re using maple extract in the dough.
Ingredient Swaps or Variations
For a lighter cookie, substitute half the butter with unsweetened applesauce.
Use gluten-free all-purpose flour for a gluten-free dessert option.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty maple cookie variation.
Swap maple extract for cinnamon or caramel extract for a flavor twist.
Drizzle icing instead of spreading it for a bakery-style presentation.
Serving Suggestions
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing are perfect served with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, making them an excellent choice for brunch spreads and afternoon treats. They pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream for an easy plated dessert or can be stacked on a cookie tray alongside chocolate chip and sugar cookies for holiday baking. These cookies also make wonderful edible gifts when packaged in decorative tins or boxes.
Make Ahead + Storage Tips
These cookies are ideal for meal prep desserts and holiday baking schedules. The cookie dough can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. Baked cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies for up to three months and ice them after thawing. Frosted cookies can also be frozen in single layers with parchment between them.
Cultural and Comfort Food Notes
Maple-flavored desserts are deeply rooted in American and Canadian comfort food traditions, especially in regions known for maple syrup production. These cookies reflect classic home-style baking, where simple ingredients are transformed into warm, nostalgic treats meant to be shared with family and friends. They’re a perfect example of traditional family desserts made modern and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes, both the dough and baked cookies can be made ahead, making them perfect for holiday baking and special occasions.
How do I store maple cookies with icing?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Can I make this recipe healthier?
You can reduce sugar slightly or use a lighter icing drizzle instead of a thick layer.
What can I substitute for buttermilk?
Use milk mixed with lemon juice or vinegar as an easy homemade buttermilk substitute.
Why is my icing too thick or too thin?
Add milk a tablespoon at a time to thin, or powdered sugar to thicken until the desired consistency is reached.
Maple Cookies with Maple Icing
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly mix in the buttermilk until combined.
- Stir in the salt, vanilla extract, maple extract, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Gradually add the flour in two batches, mixing just until combined.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 6–8 minutes, until edges are set and tops are just lightly golden.
- Cool cookies briefly on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- To make the icing, melt the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes while whisking.
- Add the milk, maple syrup, and salt. Boil again for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes, then whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.
- Spread icing over cooled cookies and allow it to set before storing.
