Cookies

Crunchy Maple Cookies

4.70 from 10 votes
Shortbread cookies get a maple makeover with my Crunch Maple Cookies recipe, perfect for Autumn and holiday gatherings!
A plate of crunch maple cookies on a white ceramic plate on an embroidered napkin with a latte in a glass cup in the background.

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHAT YOU GET: Crunchy shortbread-like, maple cookies. My Crunchy Maple Cookies recipe is a great one to have around the holidays. Eat a few for dessert or pack them as a snack – either way, you’re in for a treat!

Need a quick cookie platter for a holiday get-together? My Crunchy Maple Cookies should do the trick. While the fall season may remind you of a gooier, warm dessert, it doesn’t hurt to balance those out with a crunchier treat.

These cookies are similar to shortbread cookies, but with a maple-flavored twist. They are perfectly festive with their adorable maple leaf shape and are packed with delicious maple flavor. It’s time to get your maple on. 

Shortbread cookies are always so simple – which is one of the main reasons I love them! Gather 6 ingredients and 8 tools, and you’ll have some showstopping Maple Cookies in 45 minutes.

A plate of crunch maple cookies in maple-leaf shapes on a white ceramic plate on an embroidered tablecloth.

What Kind Of Maple Syrup Should I Use?

I recommend using dark maple syrup for this recipe because it has a stronger flavor than light maple syrup.

The biggest difference in the maple syrup grades (Golden to Very Dark) is when the maple syrup was made. The lighter the syrup, the earlier it was made in the season. The darker syrups are made from older sap with a stronger maple flavor.

Why Chill Cookie Dough Before Rolling It Out?

Chilling your cookie dough before rolling it out makes it easier to work with. The butter in the dough cools, which prevents the cookies from expanding too quickly. Additionally, once baked, they hold their texture and shape. You won’t be left with sad, flat cookies!

Tools You Need To Make Crunchy Maple Cookies

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Stand mixer with a paddle attachment (alternatively, a large bowl and a handheld electric mixer)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Cling wrap
  • 2 Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Rolling pin
  • Optional: Maple leaf cookie cutter

A plate of crunch maple cookies on a white plate next to a latte with individual maple cookies strewn about the table.

Vegan Crunchy Maple Cookies

Good news you can make a vegan version of my Crunchy Maple Cookies! There are already no eggs in this recipe, so all you have to do is substitute the butter. Swap out your butter for hard-baking margarine, but make sure it’s not the spreadable tub version.

The difference between butter and margarine is the flavor. Butter has a richer flavor because it comes from milk. Margarine has a milder flavor because of the lack of dairy.

How To Store Crunchy Maple Cookies

These Crunchy Maple Cookies are so delicious that it’ll be hard to keep friends and family away from them. However, if you end up with leftovers, make sure to store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making The Best Crunchy Maple Cookies:

  • This dough is very soft. If it’s too hard to handle, roll the dough out onto pieces of parchment paper and freeze for 10 minutes before cutting.
  • Too much maple extract can make the cookies taste bitter. If you want to increase the maple flavor, try reducing 1 cup (10 oz/284 g) of maple syrup down to ½ cup (5 oz/142 g) on the stovetop. Let cool before using the dough.
  • Another way to increase the maple flavor is to dip these cookies in a maple glaze: Mix ¾ cup (3 oz/85 g) powdered sugar with 1/3 cup maple syrup. If the glaze is too thin, add a touch more powdered sugar until you get the consistency that you want.
  • If you don’t have leaf cutters, use any shape you wish.
  • Serve this along with Crispy Gingersnaps and Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies for a lovely fall cookie platter.

Want More Maple-Flavored Treats? Try These:

Crunchy Maple Cookies

4.70 from 10 votes
Shortbread cookies get a maple makeover with my Crunch Maple Cookies recipe, perfect for Autumn and holiday gatherings!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 48 cookies
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Shortbread cookies get a maple makeover with my Crunch Maple Cookies recipe, perfect for Autumn and holiday gatherings!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 48 cookies

Ingredients

  • cups (10 oz/284 g) butter, softened
  • 1 cup (6 oz/170 g) dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (4 fl oz/120 ml) dark maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon maple extract (optional)
  • cups (16¼ oz/461 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (1 oz/28 g) cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or with a large bowl and a handheld electric mixer), cream together the butter and brown sugar until it is light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the maple syrup and maple extract (if using).
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt, then gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture just until evenly mixed.
  • Wrap the dough in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • On a well-floured surface, roll out half of the dough to ¼-inch (6-mm) thick, leaving the rest in the refrigerator to stay cold.
  • Cut out cookies with a 2-inch (5-cm) maple leaf cookie cutter (or shape of your choice) and transfer to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch (2½ cm) of space between.
  • Gather and reroll scraps until the dough becomes too soft to work with. Return this dough to the fridge to chill while you work with the chilled half.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cookies start to turn a pale golden brown around the edges.
  • Let cool on a wire rack while you bake the remaining cookies.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
4.70 from 10 votes (9 ratings without comment)
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kathym
kathym
2 years ago

There’s a cookie by Dare here in Canada that have maple cream sandwiched between two maple cookies… might have to make these with that!

Susan
Susan
2 years ago

When making this type of shortbread, could you roll dough in a log and slice out the cookies for baking?

Ann
Ann
2 years ago

Hi Gemma, What size maple leaf cookie cutter do you use? Thank you!

Sami
Sami
2 years ago

Hi Gemma . First of all my family and I think you look lovely and beautiful on the front cover of your new cookbook. Kevin should be proud. Moving on what am I doing wrong as my cookies are turning out fluffy and cake like not flat and chewy I was able to recover them by turning them into muffins lol. But my family wants the flat chewy ones. Please help?
Thanks Gemma

Marie
Marie
2 years ago

I am going to try my luck making these with a gluten free flour as we have Celiac … fingers crossed !!!!

About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

Weeknight Family Favorites Chapter from the Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day Cookbook