Description
Delight in these buttery Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies, perfectly crisp with a rich maple-flavored glaze. Ideal for fall or holiday treats, these leaf-shaped cookies combine classic shortbread texture with the sweet, aromatic touch of maple syrup, finished with a smooth, glossy glaze for an irresistible finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
- 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Glaze
- 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar, and cornstarch until well blended and creamy. Gradually beat in the maple flavoring, then slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour until a smooth dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disk and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for about 45 minutes, or until it is firm enough to roll out without sticking.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) to warm up while you prepare the cookies.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using a floured 2-3/4-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutter, cut out the cookie shapes. Place each cookie about 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden brown.
- Cool Completely: Carefully remove the cookies from the baking sheets and transfer them to wire racks. Let them cool completely before glazing, to prevent the glaze from melting or sliding off.
- Prepare the Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, creating a shiny glaze.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once the cookies are fully cool, spread the maple glaze evenly over the top of each cookie. Allow the glaze to set at room temperature until it firmens and becomes lightly tacky, about 30 to 60 minutes.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for optimal dough texture.
- Refrigeration is key for easier rolling and better cookie shape maintenance during baking.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats on baking sheets to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Allow cookies to cool fully before glazing to avoid melting or runny glaze.
- Maple flavoring enhances the maple taste but can be substituted with pure maple extract if desired.
- Store glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
