Festive Maple Leaf Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Inspirations

These crisp maple-flavored leaf-shaped cookies blend a soft buttery dough with pure maple syrup. After baking to a delicate golden hue, they are decorated with vibrant royal icings tinted in autumn shades and embellished with sprinkles, edible glitter, and optional mini chocolate chips. The decorating process invites creativity, resulting in a festive treat perfect for sharing. Cooling time ensures the icing sets beautifully, preserving each detailed design. Ideal for cozy gatherings, these cookies pair wonderfully with apple cider or cinnamon tea.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:56:00 GMT
A close-up of beautifully decorated maple leaf cookies, ready to eat and enjoy. Save
A close-up of beautifully decorated maple leaf cookies, ready to eat and enjoy. | snacksplat.com

A festive autumn treat featuring crisp maple-flavored cookies and an assortment of colorful icings and toppings, perfect for creative decorating and sharing.

This kit brings joy to my family gatherings every fall as we decorate cookies together.

Ingredients

  • For the Maple Leaf Cookies: 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter softened, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 1/4 cup (55 g) packed light brown sugar, 1 large egg, 1/3 cup (80 ml) pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Royal Icing: 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar sifted, 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or maple extract, Food coloring in autumn shades (red, orange, yellow, brown, green)
  • Toppings for Decorating: Assorted sprinkles, Edible glitter or sugar pearls, Mini chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3:
Add the egg, maple syrup, and vanilla extract beat until combined.
Step 4:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Step 5:
Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 6:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch (6 mm) thickness.
Step 8:
Cut out leaf shapes using a maple leaf cookie cutter Transfer cookies to prepared sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
Step 9:
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10:
For the royal icing, beat powdered sugar and egg whites (or meringue powder + water) until thick and glossy Add vanilla or maple extract and mix Divide icing into bowls and tint with food coloring.
Step 11:
Transfer colored icing to piping bags Decorate cooled cookies with icing and toppings as desired Allow icing to set before packaging or serving.
Festive image of maple leaf cookies, iced with fall colors, sprinkled, and ready for dessert. Save
Festive image of maple leaf cookies, iced with fall colors, sprinkled, and ready for dessert. | snacksplat.com

My family loves gathering to decorate these cookies making cherished autumn memories.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, Electric mixer, Measuring cups and spoons, Maple leaf cookie cutter, Rolling pin, Baking sheets, Parchment paper, Wire rack, Piping bags and small round tips

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten), egg, milk (butter) May contain traces of nuts if using certain toppings Double-check all toppings and food colorings for allergens

Nutritional Information (per cookie)

Calories 130 Total Fat 4 g Carbohydrates 22 g Protein 1 g

Vibrant arrangement: freshly baked maple leaf cookies with colorful icing, perfect for autumn. Save
Vibrant arrangement: freshly baked maple leaf cookies with colorful icing, perfect for autumn. | snacksplat.com

Enjoy decorating your maple leaf cookies with vibrant colors and tasty toppings for a delightful autumn experience.

Recipe Guide

What gives these cookies their maple flavor?

Pure maple syrup is incorporated into the dough, providing a natural, sweet maple essence.

How do I achieve vibrant colored icings?

Mix royal icing with food coloring in autumn shades like red, orange, yellow, brown, and green for bright, festive decorations.

Can I prepare the dough in advance?

Yes, refrigerate the dough wrapped in plastic for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting shapes.

What tools are needed for decorating?

Use piping bags with small round tips to apply royal icing, and add toppings like sprinkles or edible glitter for extra flair.

How should decorated cookies be stored?

Allow icing to dry completely before stacking or packaging to prevent designs from smudging.

Festive Maple Leaf Cookies

Crisp maple-flavored leaf cookies enhanced with colorful icings and festive autumn toppings.

Prep duration
30 min
Kitchen time
15 min
Complete duration
45 min
Created by Katie Miller


Skill level Medium

Heritage North American

Output 24 Portions

Nutrition Labels Meat-free

What you'll need

Maple Leaf Cookies

01 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (315 g)
02 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
04 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (115 g)
05 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
06 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (55 g)
07 1 large egg
08 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (80 ml)
09 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Royal Icing

01 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (360 g)
02 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder plus 1/4 cup water
03 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or maple extract
04 Food coloring in autumn shades (red, orange, yellow, brown, green)

Decorating Toppings

01 Assorted sprinkles
02 Edible glitter or sugar pearls
03 Mini chocolate chips (optional)

Method

Step 01

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.

Step 03

Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add egg, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture; beat until fully combined.

Step 04

Form Dough: Gradually blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a consistent dough forms.

Step 05

Chill Dough: Divide dough in half, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 06

Prepare Baking Sheets and Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 07

Roll and Cut Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into maple leaf shapes using a cookie cutter.

Step 08

Arrange Cookies: Place cut cookies on prepared baking sheets spaced 1 inch apart.

Step 09

Bake Cookies: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

Step 10

Prepare Royal Icing: Beat powdered sugar and egg whites or meringue powder with water until thick and glossy. Add extract and mix well.

Step 11

Color and Decorate: Divide icing into bowls, tint with food coloring, then pipe onto cooled cookies and add desired toppings. Allow icing to set completely.

Kitchen tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Maple leaf cookie cutter
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack
  • Piping bags and small round tips

Allergy details

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), egg, and dairy (butter)
  • May contain traces of nuts depending on toppings

Nutrient breakdown (each portion)

Numbers shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 130
  • Fats: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Proteins: 1 g