Table Of Content show

Cozy Maple Snickerdoodles Recipe

Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, soft cookie that captures the essence of your favorite childhood treat, enhanced with a cozy autumn twist. That’s exactly what you get with these delightful Maple Snickerdoodles!

These cookies boast the buttery richness of classic Snickerdoodles, beautifully infused with real maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. They have a soft center, lightly crisp edges, and a wonderfully chewy texture that makes them utterly irresistible.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a festive gathering, or simply to enjoy with a nice cup of hot chocolate or coffee, these cookies are sure to be a hit!

Soft and chewy maple snickerdoodles stacked on a marble table.

Why You’ll Love These Maple Snickerdoodles

Authentic Maple Flavor: Each bite is enriched with 100% pure maple syrup that delivers a comforting, signature taste.

Perfect Texture: Enjoy that delightful contrast of crispy edges and a soft, chewy center that defines the perfect cookie.

Crowd-Pleaser: Dusted in a delicious cinnamon-sugar coating, these cookies will impress everyone with their beautiful presentation and mouthwatering flavor.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Planning ahead for a holiday party? Prepare the dough in advance and bake the cookies fresh to delight your guests.

Ingredients

Pure Maple Syrup: The star ingredient providing authentic maple flavor and a chewy texture.
Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich and tender crumb for a perfect cookie.
Granulated & Light Brown Sugar: Contributes sweetness with the brown sugar adding moisture and a subtle molasses flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and adds warmth.
Egg: This binds the ingredients together and contributes to the chewy texture.
All-Purpose Flour & Cornstarch: Ensures a well-structured yet tender cookie.
Baking Soda: Works with the cream of tartar to help the cookies spread and create that iconic crackly top.
Ground Cinnamon: Delivers the familiar warmth and spice of classic Snickerdoodles.
Cream of Tartar: Adds a distinctive tangy flavor and helps activate the baking soda.
Salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors.

A baking tray filled with soft and chewy maple cinnamon cookies.

How to Make Maple Snickerdoodles

Making these delightful cookies is as easy as it gets. The key difference from the classic recipe is the addition of that luscious maple syrup! Follow these simple steps:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Beat: Start by beating the unsalted butter, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then mix in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and the egg (both the whole egg and the yolk) one at a time, mixing until everything is smooth.
Whisk: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, 1½ teaspoons of cinnamon, cream of tartar, and salt.
Add: Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture until everything is well combined. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes to help it firm up.
Prepare Sugar Coating: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll: Take 2-tablespoon portions of the chilled dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
Bake: Place the coated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheets and bake for about 9–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers appear slightly underbaked.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy your freshly baked treats!

An overhead view of maple snickerdoodles on parchment paper.

Tips For the Best Maple Snickerdoodles

Looking for a cookie recipe that feels nostalgic yet magical? Here’s how to elevate your Maple Snickerdoodles:

Use Pure Maple Syrup: For the best flavor, stick to 100% pure maple syrup. Avoid imitation syrups, as they just can’t match the depth of flavor.
Don’t Skip the Cream of Tartar: This ingredient is essential for the traditional tangy flavor and achieving the desired soft, chewy texture.
Monitor the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies, baking them just until the edges are set. Overbaking will lead to dry, crumbly cookies.
Add a Twist! Consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch, or drizzle the cooled cookies with a maple glaze for extra sweetness.
Make-Ahead: If you want to save time, prepare the dough in advance and freeze the cookie balls. When you’re ready to bake, coat them in cinnamon sugar and pop them in the oven directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

A batch of freshly baked maple snickerdoodles.

How to Store

Keep your Maple Snickerdoodles fresh with these storage tips:

To Store: Place the cooled cookies in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate them for up to two weeks.

To Freeze: For longer storage, layer cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers and freeze for up to six months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring them back to room temperature before enjoying.