Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): The butter serves as the base of the cookie dough, providing richness and a soft texture. It’s essential that the butter is softened to room temperature so it can easily blend with the other ingredients.
- 2 cups granulated sugar: Sugar adds sweetness and helps achieve the desired soft, chewy texture. It also contributes to the cookies’ slight golden color when baked.
- 3 large eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and help the cookies rise slightly while giving them a tender crumb.
- 1 cup buttermilk: Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and contributes to the cookies’ soft, airy texture. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute with a mixture of milk and vinegar or lemon juice.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness of the cookies and balances the flavors.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla adds depth and richness to the flavor profile of the dough, complementing the maple extract.
- 2 teaspoons maple extract: This is the key ingredient that infuses the cookies with that distinct maple flavor. If you can’t find maple extract, pure maple syrup can be used, but it might affect the texture of the dough.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Baking soda helps the cookies spread and rise during baking, giving them a soft texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Together with the baking soda, baking powder helps the cookies achieve their light, fluffy consistency.
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The flour forms the structure of the cookie dough. It’s important to measure it correctly to avoid a dough that’s too dry or too sticky.
For the Icing:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter: The butter creates a rich, creamy base for the icing.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Brown sugar gives the icing a deep, caramel-like flavor that enhances the maple syrup and creates a smooth, glossy texture.
- 1/4 cup milk: Milk helps to dissolve the sugar and create a creamy consistency.
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup: This adds a natural sweetness and deepens the maple flavor of the icing.
- A pinch of salt: The salt balances the sweetness of the icing and enhances the overall flavor.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Powdered sugar thickens the icing and gives it that perfect spreadable consistency.
Instructions
Preparing the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheet: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer or a whisk to beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is important because it incorporates air into the dough, giving the cookies their light texture.
- Add the eggs: Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This ensures that the eggs are evenly incorporated, giving the dough structure.
- Incorporate the buttermilk and extracts: Gradually add the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and maple extract to the mixture. Mix at a low speed to avoid splattering. The wet ingredients should come together smoothly.
- Add the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense cookies.
- Scoop the dough: Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop approximately two-tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space the cookies about two inches apart to allow for spreading as they bake.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. The cookies should retain a pale color and have a soft, pillowy texture. Be cautious not to overbake them; they will continue to cook slightly as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Cool the cookies: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Allow the cookies to cool completely before icing them, as the warm cookies could cause the icing to melt and run.
Preparing the Maple Icing:
- Melt the butter and brown sugar: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Once the butter has melted and the sugar is dissolved, bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook for about two minutes, whisking constantly.
- Add the milk, maple syrup, and salt: Add the milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil again, whisking constantly for about one minute.
- Cool the icing: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes. The icing will thicken as it cools.
- Add the powdered sugar: Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until the icing reaches a smooth, glue-like consistency. If the icing is too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time until it’s spreadable.
- Ice the cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread the maple icing over the top of each cookie. The icing will set as it cools, so work quickly to cover the cookies. If the icing becomes too thick to spread, simply add a bit more milk to loosen it up.
- Allow the icing to set: Let the icing set before storing the cookies. Once set, the icing will form a glossy, smooth coating on top of the cookies.
Notes
- For a softer texture: If you prefer a softer cookie, add a little extra buttermilk to the dough. You can also try substituting part of the all-purpose flour with cake flour for a more delicate crumb.
- Maple syrup vs. maple extract: While maple extract provides a concentrated flavor, pure maple syrup can be used as a substitute for both the extract and the syrup in the icing. Keep in mind that using syrup might change the consistency of the dough or icing slightly.
- Customize the icing: If you like a more decadent icing, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or even a touch of cinnamon for extra warmth.
- Serving Suggestions: These cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be paired with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat. They make for a perfect dessert after a hearty meal or a special addition to your holiday cookie tray.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes