Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

The Sweetest Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Sweet maple magic happens when brown sugar meets delicate cookie dough in this irresistible treat.

Crisp autumn afternoons demand something special from your kitchen.

Warm spices dance through each bite, creating memories of cozy moments.

Maple’s rich complexity brings depth beyond standard sugar cookies.

Subtle sweetness whispers comfort and nostalgia with every crumbly morsel.

Home bakers will adore how simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Fall’s most delightful dessert awaits you – so preheat that oven and let’s bake!

Why Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Taste Special

  • Savor Maple Magic: These cookies capture the warm, rich essence of maple syrup in every delightful bite, bringing a cozy autumn feeling to your kitchen.
  • Craft with Ease: Beginner bakers can confidently create these cookies with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making baking a stress-free and enjoyable experience.
  • Perfect Party Pleaser: Ideal for gatherings, holiday celebrations, or casual get-togethers, these cookies will wow friends and family with their irresistible sweet and spicy flavor profile.
  • Quick Comfort Treat: Minimal preparation and baking time mean you can satisfy your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen, perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings.

Ingredients for Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

For the Main Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich and creamy base that provides tender texture and delicious flavor to the cookies.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture to create a soft, chewy cookie.
  • Maple Syrup: Delivers a classic, rich maple flavor that defines the character of these cookies.
  • Flour: The essential structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their form and texture.
  • Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie dough.
For the Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon: Provide warm, complementary background notes that elevate the maple flavor.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste of the cookies.
For the Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar, Milk, Maple Syrup: Create a smooth, sweet drizzle that adds extra maple flavor and visual appeal to the finished cookies.

Steps to Bake Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. Warm up the oven to a toasty 350F (175C) so it’s ready for cookie magic.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Softened butter
  • Brown sugar
Whip these ingredients until they become light and fluffy. Pour in:
  • Maple syrup
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until everything looks smooth and happy.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon

Slowly add these dry ingredients to your creamy mixture. Stir gently to keep the dough tender and soft.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Rounds

Roll the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some breathing room between each cookie.

Use your hand to give each ball a gentle press, creating a flat surface.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a light golden color. The centers should look just set – we want soft, chewy cookies!

Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Drizzle Maple Glaze

Whip up a quick glaze by mixing:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Milk

Stir until you have a smooth, pourable consistency.

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies. Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon on top for extra warmth.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Let the glaze set for a few minutes. Grab a warm cookie, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and savor the cozy maple goodness!

Tips for Soft and Flavorful Sugar Cookies

  • Soften butter completely at room temperature for smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that creams perfectly with sugar.
  • Use pure maple syrup for authentic, rich flavor instead of artificial maple extract to enhance the natural sweetness.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain a thick, chewy cookie texture.
  • Measure flour correctly by gently spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling with a knife to avoid dense, dry cookies.
  • Test cookie doneness by checking golden edges and slightly soft centers, ensuring a perfectly tender and moist result every time.

Ways to Add Variety to These Sugar Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Maple Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the rich maple flavor.
  • Vegan Maple Treat: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and ensure maple syrup is plant-based for a completely vegan alternative.
  • Nutty Maple Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for extra texture and a complementary nutty flavor that enhances the maple sweetness.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and reduce maple syrup quantity to create a lighter, less caloric cookie without sacrificing taste.

What to Serve with Maple Sugar Cookies

  • Savor Maple Warmth with Complementary Beverages: Rich, smooth coffee or black tea perfectly matches the sweet maple notes, cutting through the cookie's richness and enhancing its warm cinnamon undertones.
  • Pair with Creamy Comfort: Serve alongside a cold glass of milk, allowing the cookie's soft texture and maple flavor to blend beautifully with the milk's cool, smooth profile.
  • Elevate with Dessert Wine: Choose a light dessert wine like Moscato or Late Harvest Riesling, whose subtle sweetness complements the maple glaze without overwhelming the delicate cookie flavor.
  • Create Seasonal Sidekick: Match with spiced apple cider during autumn months, echoing the cookie's warm spices and creating a cozy, nostalgic flavor experience that celebrates seasonal comfort.

How to Store Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Properly

Store cookies in an airtight container layered between parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep them cool and away from direct sunlight to maintain freshness.

Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Separate layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Warm cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds for a soft, just-baked texture. Alternatively, place in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore crispness and warmth.

If glaze hardens, gently warm in microwave for 5-10 seconds or add a few drops of milk to restore smooth, drizzling consistency.

FAQs

  • Are these cookies too sweet?

The maple syrup and brown sugar create a balanced sweetness that’s not overpowering. The cinnamon adds a warm depth that cuts through the sweetness.

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the cookie dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before shaping and baking.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for golden edges and a slightly set center. They might seem slightly underbaked, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Remove them from the oven when the edges just start turning golden.

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Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet maple brown sugar cookies blend comforting Canadian warmth with classic American bakery charm. Rich caramel notes and buttery texture invite you to savor each delightful bite of homemade comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed

Sugar and Sweeteners:

  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)

Spices and Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 12 tablespoons milk

Optional Garnish:

  • Sprinkle of cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare workspace by lining baking sheets with parchment paper and preheating oven to 350F (175C).
  2. Combine softened butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl, whipping until creamy and aerated for approximately 3 minutes.
  3. Incorporate maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract into butter mixture, blending until uniformly smooth.
  4. Separately sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently to prevent overworking the dough and maintain cookie tenderness.
  6. Form dough into uniform 1 1/2-inch spheres, positioning them evenly across prepared baking sheets with adequate spacing.
  7. Delicately flatten each cookie using palm, creating consistent circular shapes with gentle pressure.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, monitoring edges for light golden coloration and centers for slight firmness.
  9. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for brief cooling period before transferring to wire rack.
  10. Craft maple glaze by whisking powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until achieving silky, pourable consistency.
  11. Drizzle glaze across cooled cookies, optionally dusting with additional cinnamon for enhanced flavor profile.
  12. Permit glaze to stabilize for several minutes before serving, pairing wonderfully with warm beverage.

Notes

  • Add extra maple flavor by using pure maple extract alongside the syrup for a more intense maple taste.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring to use a 1:1 replacement ratio.
  • Reduce sugar content by substituting some brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener for a lower-calorie option without compromising texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 186 kcal
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 93 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 17 mg
Ethan Caldwell

Ethan Caldwell

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-table cooking, Seasonal recipe creation, Culinary storytelling, Food photography and styling​

Education

The Chef’s Academy (Indianapolis, IN)

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on sustainable cooking practices, regional American cuisine, and recipe development.​

Ethan didn’t just fall in love with food, he grew into it, surrounded by fields, farmers’ markets, and family meals that told a story.
After sharpening his skills at The Chef’s Academy, he took his passion straight into the farm-to-table movement, working side-by-side with local growers and seasonal flavors.
He believes every recipe should feel like a walk through a summer market: colorful, fresh, and full of possibility.
Outside the kitchen, Ethan’s idea of a perfect day is hiking mountain trails, digging into heirloom vegetables, and hosting casual dinners where seconds are always encouraged.

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