Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe

If you love cozy, sweet treats that tell a story with every bite, you’re going to adore this Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe. These aren’t just any cookies — they have this wonderful nutty crunch from ground walnuts and a hint of warm cinnamon, all shaped like charming maple leaves, which makes them perfect for autumn gatherings or anytime you want a touch of seasonal magic.

When I first tried this recipe, I fell head over heels for that glossy maple glaze coating each cookie. It’s just the right balance of rich sweetness and a slight hint of spice that keeps you reaching for another. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or a quiet afternoon treat, this Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe will become your go-to for impressing friends and family.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe come together to create that perfect tender cookie with just the right amount of chew and that irresistible maple glaze. Having fresh walnuts and pure maple syrup on hand really makes the difference.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure but makes for soft cookies when combined with the other ingredients.
• Raw walnuts: Grounds finely, they add texture and a toasty flavor boost.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a light bite.
• Ground cinnamon: Infuses gentle warmth and earthiness to the dough.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Unsalted butter: The base for tender, rich cookies—makes sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens and adds a slight crispness on the edges.
• Large egg: Binds everything while adding moisture.
• Whole milk: Keeps the dough tender and adds a subtle creaminess.
• Pure maple syrup: Adds that signature maple flavor and depth.
• Light brown sugar: Gives the icing its soft caramel notes.
• Maple extract or pure vanilla extract: Boosts the maple glaze’s flavor dramatically.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze to a perfect dip consistency.
• Ground nutmeg: A pinch enhances the glaze with a festive spice touch.
• Crushed raw walnuts and maple sugar (optional): Sprinkle for an extra crunch and decorative finish.

Variations

I love playing around with this Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe depending on the season or who I’m sharing with. The base is super adaptable, so feel free to get creative and put your own spin on the flavors.

• Spiced Up: I’ve swapped in ground ginger or cloves for nutmeg in the glaze when I wanted a little extra holiday spice, and it’s delightful.
• Nut-Free Version: If you’re avoiding nuts, try using finely chopped oats or coconut flakes instead of walnuts for a different but tasty texture.
• Chocolate Lover’s Touch: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the glazed cookies for a rich finish that my family goes crazy for.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use plant-based butter, a flax egg, and non-dairy milk to make these cookies vegan-friendly without losing any magic.

How to Make Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Grind and Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by pulsing the flour and raw walnuts in a food processor until the walnuts are finely ground — this is the secret to getting that lovely nutty texture throughout the cookie without big chunks. Then, add the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into the mix and pulse a few more times until everything is well combined. This step builds the flavor base and ensures the spices distribute evenly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Wet Ingredients

I’ve found beating the butter with granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy really helps give the cookies a tender crumb. It should take about two minutes with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed. Then, beat in the egg, milk, and pure maple syrup until fully combined before slowly mixing in your dry ingredients. Don’t rush this – mixing on medium-low prevents overworking the dough, which keeps the cookies soft.

Step 3: Chill, Roll Out, and Cut Your Cookies

Wrap the dough and refrigerate it for at least an hour — this is a must! It makes rolling easier and prevents spreading when baking. Once chilled, roll the dough out thinly on a floured surface, about 1/8 inch thick. Using your maple leaf-shaped cookie cutter, cut as many cookies as you can, then re-roll and cut until you have about 48 in total. To help keep the shapes crisp, freeze the cut cookies for about 10 minutes before baking.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and position racks in the upper and lower thirds — this helps the cookies bake evenly. Bake your cookies on parchment-lined sheets for 10-12 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through. Watch for the edges to turn just lightly golden; overbaking will dry them out. Let the cookies cool completely before glazing.

Step 5: Make the Maple Glaze and Dip

For that shiny, luscious glaze, melt brown sugar and butter over low heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning — this melts the sugar perfectly and caramelizes it gently. Let it cool a bit before whisking in maple extract (or vanilla), maple syrup, confectioners’ sugar, salt, nutmeg, and milk until smooth and slightly runny. The glaze should hold onto the cookies but still drip off easily.

Dip each cookie face-first into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Chill them on a wire rack or parchment paper. If you want, sprinkle crushed walnuts or maple sugar on top while the glaze is still wet for a pretty, textured finish.

How to Serve Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple by decorating with crushed walnuts and a sprinkle of maple sugar on the glaze—it adds a little crunch and makes the cookies look pretty as a fall centerpiece. Sometimes, I add a dash of edible gold dust for festive occasions, which gets lots of compliments!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced chai tea, coffee, or even a glass of warm apple cider. At brunch, I like serving them alongside whipped cream or vanilla Greek yogurt for a decadent but balanced treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I arrange the glazed maple leaf cookies on a wooden platter lined with fresh maple leaves (real or decorative) for a rustic vibe. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with twine makes adorable take-home gifts too — my friends love receiving these little seasonal treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover glazed maple leaf cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I’ve noticed that the glaze stays nicely shiny and the cookies keep their tender bite—and if the glaze softens a bit, it actually makes them even more delightful.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the unbaked cookie dough and the baked, glazed cookies with good results. For dough, shape and freeze the cut cookies on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months — bake straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes. For baked cookies, freeze in a single layer with parchment paper between layers; they thaw quickly and retain flavor.

Reheating

If you want to refresh slightly stale cookies, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This revives the crisp edges and soft interiors without melting the glaze. Just keep an eye to avoid browning the icing too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Glazed Maple Leaf Cookies Recipe brings warmth and charm to my kitchen, especially during the cooler months. It’s one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again because it’s comforting, beautifully festive, and just downright delicious—I hope you’ll enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a beloved tradition in your home too!

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