Soft & Chewy Maple Cookies (With Cozy Holiday Spices)

ByChristopher Posted on
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These soft and chewy maple cookies are the perfect balance of warm spices, maple syrup sweetness, and melt-in-your-mouth texture — perfect for any holiday cookie box or cozy fall weekend baking session.

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In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to make soft and chewy maple cookies with a delicious brown sugar base, warm holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a rich maple syrup flavor. This is a tested-until-perfect, foolproof cookie recipe that’s elevated with a hint of instant coffee for added depth (without tasting like coffee). Plus, I’ll share expert baking tips, ingredient swaps, and a few fun variations like maple glaze or maple pecan. If you’re craving something seasonal and comforting, these are the best maple cookies for fall and winter!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe (And Why You Can Trust It)

As a lifestyle and entertaining expert and professional recipe developer for food brands, I’ve tested hundreds of cookie recipes over the years. This maple cookie recipe is a standout. It’s not only simple to make with everyday pantry ingredients, but it’s also intentionally layered with flavor. The cozy spices, the rich maple syrup, and the slightly crisp edges give it the perfect bakery-style finish at home — with no chill time needed beyond 30 minutes.

My readers love that my recipes are always easy, elevated, and packed with flavor. I created this one to be your go-to holiday maple cookie recipe, perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or enjoying with a cup of tea on a crisp day.

A Little Story Behind This Maple Cookie Recipe

This recipe was inspired by a fall weekend tradition: baking something warm, sweet, and spiced to fill the house with that “just stepped into a cozy café” aroma. One Sunday afternoon, I had maple syrup to use up and a craving for something nostalgic — something that felt like autumn in every bite.

After a few rounds of testing (and taste-testing, of course!), I found the magic formula: a soft and chewy cookie that’s sweetened with real maple syrup, deepened with a bit of instant coffee, and finished with a warm spice blend. The result? These cookies are now a staple in my holiday cookie box, and they never last long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what makes these maple cookies extra special:

  • ¾ cup butter (room temperature): Softens perfectly for creaming and gives that tender texture.
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar + ½ cup brown sugar: A balance of sweet and molasses-rich flavor for chewiness.
  • 2 tbsp instant coffee: Enhances flavor without a strong coffee taste.
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract: Brings out all the warm undertones.
  • 1 large egg (room temperature): Helps bind the dough and adds richness.
  • ⅓ cup real maple syrup: Adds that signature maple flavor — be sure to use pure maple syrup, not imitation.
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour: Just the right amount for thick, chewy cookies.
  • 1¼ tsp baking soda: For rise and lightness.
  • 1 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness.
  • ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ginger, ⅛ tsp allspice: The cozy spice blend that makes these feel like fall in cookie form.

Quick Tip

Use Grade A amber maple syrup for a delicate, well-rounded maple flavor. If you want something deeper, Grade B syrup has a bolder taste.

How to Make Maple Cookies

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
  2. Add wet ingredients: Mix in the instant coffee, vanilla extract, egg, and maple syrup until well combined.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.
  4. Mix: Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
  5. Chill the dough: Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes — this helps the cookies hold their shape and intensifies the flavor.
  6. Preheat & scoop: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop cookie dough (about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie) and place 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. They will continue to set as they cool.
  8. Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Optional Add-Ins & Variations

  • Maple Glaze: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar + 1 tbsp maple syrup + 1 tsp milk for a quick glaze.
  • Maple Pecan Cookies: Fold in ½ cup chopped toasted pecans.
  • Crispier Edges: Flatten slightly before baking and add 1–2 minutes to bake time.
  • Maple Cream Sandwich Cookies: Fill with a maple buttercream frosting for a homemade maple cream cookie twist.
  • Maple Sugar Roll: Roll cookie dough balls in maple sugar or cinnamon sugar before baking for extra texture.

Expert Tips for Perfect Maple Cookies

Don’t skip chilling the dough — it makes a huge difference in texture and helps the cookies keep their shape.

Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor. Imitation syrup won’t have the same rich depth.

Let ingredients come to room temperature — especially butter and eggs.

Slightly underbake if you prefer soft, chewy centers.

Don’t overmix the dough — mix just until combined for the softest texture.

Storage Tips & Make Ahead

  • Store: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze baked cookies: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a bag or container. Will keep for up to 2 months.
  • Freeze dough: Freeze scooped dough balls for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen (add 1–2 extra minutes).
  • Make ahead tip: You can make the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it chilled until ready to bake.

FAQ

Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur for best results.

Look for pure maple syrup — ideally Grade A amber for flavor that’s not overpowering. Avoid “pancake syrup” or artificial syrups.

Not at all! The instant coffee just enhances the maple and spice flavors. You can omit it if you prefer.

You can, but the cookies may spread more and be thinner. For best texture, chill for at least 30 minutes.

Final Thoughts

If you love maple syrup, cozy baking, or anything that smells like the holidays, these maple cookies are for you. They’re soft, chewy, warmly spiced, and simple enough to whip up on a weeknight but special enough for your holiday cookie box.

I hope they become a seasonal favorite in your kitchen just like they are in mine. If you bake them, I’d love to see — tag me on Instagram or Pinterest and leave a rating below. Happy baking!

Want to connect? Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes and food tips.

Soft & Chewy Maple Cookies Recipe

Yield: 16 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes

Perfectly spiced maple cookies with brown sugar, pure maple syrup, and a cozy blend of spices. Ideal for fall baking and holiday cookie boxes!

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp instant coffee granules
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1¼ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ⅛ tsp allspice

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 1–2 minutes).
  2. Mix in the instant coffee, vanilla, egg, and maple syrup. Stir until well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined. Cover and chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop dough into 1.5 tbsp-sized balls and place 2 inches apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just set and tops look slightly underbaked.
  6. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Tips & Variations

  • Add ½ cup chopped pecans for maple pecan cookies.
  • Drizzle with maple glaze (powdered sugar + maple syrup) for extra sweetness.
  • Want crispier cookies? Flatten slightly before baking and add 1 extra minute.

© Christopher

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