Sweet Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

Heavenly Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Sweet, buttery maple brown sugar cookies bring a cozy autumn warmth straight to your kitchen.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats capture the essence of crisp fall mornings with their rich, caramelized flavor.

Soft edges and a tender center make each bite a delightful experience that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Baking these cookies fills your home with an irresistible aroma of maple and brown sugar that beckons everyone near.

The simple ingredients blend together effortlessly, creating a cookie that’s both elegant and rustic.

With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up these delectable morsels in no time.

One taste, and these cookies will become your new favorite seasonal indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12-13 minutes per batch

Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling)

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 22

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Ingredient Guide

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and body to the cookies, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensure it's fresh for optimal leavening.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
For Wet Ingredients and Sweeteners:
  • Butter, Brown Sugar: Creates rich, deep caramel-like flavor, use unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth creaming.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture, select fresh large eggs for best results.
  • Maple Syrup: Delivers authentic maple essence, opt for pure Grade A maple syrup for intense flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth, choose pure extract over artificial for superior taste.
  • Maple Extract: Intensifies maple profile, use sparingly to avoid overwhelming sweetness.
For Finishing and Texture:
  • Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty complexity, toast lightly before chopping for enhanced flavor.
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy icing, sift to prevent lumps for silky consistency.

Tools for Baking Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

  • Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and mixing dough smoothly.
  • Paddle Attachment: Helps mix ingredients evenly and creates creamy texture.
  • Medium Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Baking Sheets: Needed for baking cookies evenly.
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Small Saucepan: Used for making maple icing.
  • Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth icing.
  • Wire Rack: Helps cookies cool completely after baking.
  • Spatula: Useful for scraping bowl and folding ingredients.

How to Make Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

  • Dough Preparation

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, creating a soft flour blend that will form the base of these delightful cookies.

  • Butter and Sugar Fusion

Cream butter and brown sugar until smooth, developing a rich, creamy texture that promises incredible flavor.

  • Moisture and Flavor Infusion

Incorporate egg, maple syrup, and extracts, blending until the mixture becomes a silky, aromatic batter.

  • Pecan Integration

Gently fold chopped pecans into the dough, distributing nutty goodness throughout the mixture.

  • Chilling Period

Refrigerate the dough for minimum two hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop deep, complex taste profiles.

  • Baking Preparation

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets with non-stick surfaces, setting the stage for cookie perfection.

  • Cookie Formation

Roll dough into small spheres, creating uniform treats that will bake evenly and look beautiful.

  • Baking Magic

Bake until edges turn golden brown, ensuring a soft center that melts in your mouth.

  • Cooling Ritual

Let cookies rest briefly on baking sheets, then transfer to cooling rack for ultimate texture development.

  • Maple Glaze

Create a luxurious maple drizzle to crown these spectacular cookies, adding a final touch of sweetness.

  • Serving and Storage

Allow glaze to set, then store in sealed container, preserving freshness for delightful snacking moments.

Tips for Perfect Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

  • Replace pecans with toasted walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds for a different texture and flavor profile.
  • Brush warm cookies with extra maple syrup right after baking to enhance the maple flavor and create a glossy finish.
  • Adjust the icing thickness by adding more confectioners' sugar for a thicker glaze or a splash of milk to thin it out for a smoother drizzle.
  • Sprinkle finely chopped nuts or a pinch of sea salt on top of the icing while it's still wet for an elegant and tasty garnish.
  • Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months, then bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.

Serving Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

  • Maple Pecan Paradise: Serve these cookies alongside a steaming mug of hot apple cider for a cozy autumn experience that highlights the maple and pecan flavors.
  • Dessert Elegance: Create a beautiful dessert platter by arranging the cookies with fresh whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, and a light dusting of cinnamon for an impressive presentation.
  • Coffee Companion: Pair these maple brown sugar cookies with a rich cappuccino or smooth latte, letting the sweet maple notes complement the robust coffee flavors for a delightful afternoon treat.
  • Ice Cream Indulgence: Crumble the cookies over vanilla bean ice cream, creating a decadent dessert that combines the warmth of maple with the cool creaminess of the ice cream.

How to Store Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

  • Maple Cookie Freshness Hub
  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cookies in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain softness and prevent moisture loss. Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to avoid sticking.
  • Cool Space Storage: Keep cookies at room temperature between 68-72°F for optimal texture and flavor preservation. Direct sunlight or warm areas can cause faster deterioration of cookie quality.
  • Extended Lifespan Technique: Freeze unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months in a sealed freezer bag. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for fresh, delicious results without losing original taste profile.
  • Moisture Control Approach: Include a small piece of bread in the storage container to help maintain cookie softness. Replace bread slice every few days to ensure continued moisture regulation and prevent staleness.
Print
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Sweet Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

Sweet Maple Brown Sugar Cookies


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4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling)
  • Yield: 22 1x

Description

Warm maple brown sugar cookies bring nostalgic comfort from North American kitchens. Sweet maple notes and rich brown sugar create a delightful treat you’ll savor with each tender bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ⅓ cups (291g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp maple extract
  • 1 cup (130g) chopped pecans
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsps (28g) unsalted butter
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup (112g) sifted confectioners’ sugar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Base: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, setting the dry foundation for the cookies.
  2. Cream Mixture: Using a mixer, blend butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy, creating a rich, uniform texture.
  3. Wet Ingredients Integration: Incorporate egg, beating on high speed, then add maple syrup, vanilla, and maple extract, mixing until thoroughly combined and achieving a cohesive batter.
  4. Dough Formation: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed, then gently mix in chopped pecans, ensuring even distribution and maintaining a soft, luxurious consistency.
  5. Chill and Rest: Refrigerate dough for minimum 2 hours to develop flavors, allowing ingredients to meld. If chilled longer, let dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping.
  6. Bake Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, creating an ideal baking surface.
  7. Cookie Shaping and Baking: Form dough into uniform balls, placing on prepared sheets. Bake for 12-13 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain soft, then tap pan on counter to create surface cracks.
  8. Cooling Process: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
  9. Maple Icing Finish: Melt butter and maple syrup over low heat, whisk in sifted confectioners’ sugar, and optionally add a pinch of salt. Drizzle cooled icing over cookies and allow to set for approximately 1 hour.
  10. Storage: Keep cookies in airtight container at room temperature, preserving freshness for up to one week.

Notes

  • Chill Strategically: Refrigerate dough for minimum 2 hours to develop deeper maple and brown sugar flavors, allowing ingredients to meld perfectly.
  • Dough Temperature Matters: Let chilled dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping to ensure easy handling and consistent cookie texture.
  • Tap for Texture: Gently tap baking sheet on counter after removing from oven to create attractive surface cracks and slightly deflate cookies for a rustic, homemade appearance.
  • Icing Setting Time: Allow maple icing to set completely for about 1 hour, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish that enhances both presentation and flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12-13 minutes per batch
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 22
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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