Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Experience the delightful fusion of buttery richness and the distinct sweetness of maple syrup with these tantalizing Maple Shortbread Cookies. Creamed together, the softened butter and pure maple syrup create a luscious, subtly sweet dough, yielding cookies that boast a perfect balance of flavors. Cut into charming shapes or simple squares, these cookies bake to golden perfection, offering a delightful treat for any occasion. Indulge in the comforting warmth of maple while savoring the classic allure of homemade shortbread.
Maple Shortbread Cookies
Hi Everyone, I love a good shortbread recipe, this recipe has naturally sweet, maple syrup, instead of granulated white sugar.
You can roll this shortbread dough out and make it into individual cookies. I prefer to cut them into bars after the shortbread is baked.
They stay soft and tender after baking. This is not a crunchy shortbread at all.
I'm from New England where a lot of maple syrup is harvested and I like to think of this recipe as a uniquely New England Shortbread recipe.
Maple Shortbread Cookies Recipe FAQ
The prep time for Maple Shortbread is relatively short:
Preparation Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes
Baking Time: 12-15 minutes
In total, the process from start to finish, including preparation and baking, would typically take around 30 to 40 minutes. This estimate may vary based on individual baking skills, equipment used, and the intricacy of shaping the cookies.
Nuts and Seeds: Incorporate chopped nuts (like pecans, walnuts, or almonds) or seeds (such as sesame or poppy seeds) into the dough for added texture and flavor.
Spices: Add a dash of warmth with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of cloves to infuse a cozy, aromatic element to the cookies.
Maple Glaze: Drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple maple glaze made by combining powdered sugar and a splash of maple syrup for an extra layer of sweetness.
Citrus Zest: Enhance the flavor profile by incorporating citrus zest (lemon, orange, or lime) into the dough for a refreshing citrusy note that complements the maple.
Chocolate Dip: Dip half of each cooled cookie into melted chocolate (dark, milk, or white) for a decadent twist and a delightful flavor contrast.
Sandwich Cookies: Pair two cookies together with a layer of maple-flavored frosting or a spread of jam to create delightful sandwich cookies.
Sprinkles or Decorations: Before baking, adorn the cookies with decorative sprinkles, colored sugar, or edible glitter to add a festive touch.
Maple Buttercream: Sandwich two cookies together with a luscious maple-flavored buttercream filling for an indulgent treat.
Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle cooled cookies with homemade or store-bought caramel sauce to add a rich, gooey sweetness to each bite.
Maple Sugar Dusting: After baking, dust the cookies with maple sugar for an extra pop of maple flavor and a delightful crunch.
Feel free to mix and match these customization options to suit your preferences or experiment with your creative additions to make these Maple Shortbread cookies uniquely yours!
The term "short" in shortbread refers to the texture of the baked good rather than its size.
In baking, "shortening" is a term used to describe any fat (such as butter or lard) that inhibits gluten formation in doughs. This inhibiting action results in a crumbly, tender texture rather than a chewy or bread-like consistency.
Shortbread gets its name from the high ratio of fat (traditionally butter) to flour in the recipe, creating a "short" or crumbly texture. The term "shortening" in this context comes from an old meaning of the word "short," which refers to something that easily crumbles or breaks apart, rather than having a long, stretchy structure like bread dough.
The butter in shortbread coats the flour particles, preventing them from forming gluten when mixed, resulting in the tender, crumbly texture characteristic of this delightful treat. The term "shortbread" therefore signifies this specific texture achieved by the high-fat content in the recipe.
Recipe Attribution
This recipe is inspired by our other recipe, Honey Shortbread. We also have Lavender Shortbread and Lavender Rose Shortbread Recipe (links open in a new window).
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If you try this recipe and like it, let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading and following along!
Maple Shortbread Cookies
This recipe infuses the rich, distinct flavor of maple syrup into the classic buttery shortbread, offering a delightful twist on traditional shortbread cookies. Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
- Cream Butter and Maple Syrup: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and maple syrup until well combined. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until creamy and slightly fluffy.
- Add Flour and Salt: Gradually add the flour to the butter-maple mixture. If using unsalted butter, add the salt along with the flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. The dough should hold together when pressed.
- Add the dough to the pan: Transfer the dough into the parchment-lined round, 9-inch pan. Press the dough evenly with your fingers. Using a fork, poke the shortbread dough.
- Roll and Cut Option: Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) thickness. Use a rolling pin to achieve an even thickness. Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters or simply slice it into squares or rectangles.
- Transfer to Baking Sheet: Carefully transfer the cut-out shortbread cookies to the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
- Cool: Once done, remove the shortbread from the oven and allow it to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy these delightful Maple Shortbread cookies with a cup of tea, coffee, or as a sweet treat anytime!
Notes
- Parchment Tip: Crinkle up the parchment paper underwater, when the paper is moist and crinkly, it will form in the baking pan better.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 159Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 2g
Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best. If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe!
- First published: 1/6/2024
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