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Maple Shortbread Cookies are a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth treat with a subtle, sweet maple flavor. They’re perfect for fall or anytime you want a cozy, buttery cookie. These cookies are simple to make and only require a few ingredients!
Maple Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (preferably grade A)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the maple syrup and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until the dough starts to come together. You can use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or simply mix by hand.
- The dough will be soft but should hold its shape. If it’s too sticky, you can chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to firm up slightly.
- Shape the Cookies:
- Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. You can use a simple round cutter or fun seasonal shapes like leaves, hearts, or stars.
- Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. The centers may still appear soft, but the cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Cool:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Glaze (for extra sweetness):
- If you’d like an extra layer of maple sweetness, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 2-3 teaspoons of maple syrup to make a glaze. Drizzle over the cooled cookies for a beautiful finish.
Tips:
- Additions: Feel free to sprinkle the cookies with a bit of coarse sugar before baking for a touch of sparkle.
- Storage: Store your Maple Shortbread Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the dough before baking and bake the cookies fresh when you’re ready.
- Flavor Variations: You can substitute part of the maple syrup with brown sugar for a richer flavor if you’d like a deeper caramelized taste.
These Maple Shortbread Cookies are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, and their maple sweetness is sure to become a favorite! 🍁
