These Apple Cookies with Maple Icing are the ultimate fall treat, perfectly blending the warmth of spices with the sweetness of apples and a rich maple glaze. Soft, chewy, and full of flavor, these cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves the cozy tastes of autumn. The decadent maple icing makes them even more irresistible—perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Apple Cookies are a wonderful combination of soft, tender cookie dough packed with the natural sweetness of grated apples and warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. The addition of real maple syrup in both the cookies and the icing takes them to the next level of flavor. Topped with a smooth, sweet maple icing, these cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the fall season. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these cookies will quickly become a favorite. Apple Cookies with Maple Icing

Ingredients

For the Apple Cookies:

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup real maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
1 ½ cups grated apple (Granny Smith or Honey Crisp preferred, but any apple works)

For the Maple Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon maple syrup

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Make the Apple Cookies:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the vanilla extract and egg to the butter-sugar mixture, and beat until well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add one-third of the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on medium-low speed. Then add half of the maple syrup, followed by another third of the dry mixture. Add the remaining maple syrup, then the final third of the dry mixture. Stir just until combined.
Add Grated Apples: Stir in the grated apples until well incorporated.
Scoop and Bake: Use a medium cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are light golden brown around the edges.
Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Maple Icing:

Make the Icing: While the cookies are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, melted butter, and maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth. The icing will be thick.
Pipe or Spread Icing: Transfer the icing to a resealable plastic bag and cut off a small corner to pipe the icing onto the cookies. Alternatively, spread the icing using an offset spatula.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes

Variations

Add Nuts: Fold in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the cookie dough for added crunch and flavor.
Use Different Spices: Experiment with spices like allspice, cardamom, or cloves for a different depth of flavor.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
No Icing: If you prefer a lighter cookie, you can skip the maple icing altogether or dust with powdered sugar instead.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Freezing: These cookies freeze well. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. To thaw, leave at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating: To enjoy these cookies warm, microwave them for about 10-15 seconds. The icing may soften, but the cookies will stay delicious.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of apple for the cookies?

Yes, you can use any variety of apples, but Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are best for their balance of sweetness and tartness.

2. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance, refrigerate it for up to 2 days, and then bake the cookies when you’re ready. You can also freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months.

3. Can I make the maple icing ahead of time?

Yes, the maple icing can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before using.

4. Can I substitute the maple syrup in the icing?

If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use honey or another sweet syrup, though the flavor will be slightly different.

5. Can I make these cookies without icing?

Yes, these apple cookies are delicious on their own, even without the icing. You can also enjoy them with a simple dusting of powdered sugar.

6. How can I tell when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies should be light golden brown around the edges and firm to the touch. They’ll continue to firm up a little as they cool.

7. Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

To make these cookies dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative and use a non-dairy cream for the icing.

8. Can I freeze the maple icing?

Yes, you can freeze maple icing. Store it in an airtight container, and when ready to use, let it come to room temperature and stir to reconstitute.

9. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking to help prevent excessive spreading during baking.

10. Can I add other fruits to the cookie dough?

Yes, you can add dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped pears for a fun variation of these apple cookies.

Conclusion

These Apple Cookies with Maple Icing are the perfect fall treat to share with friends and family. They’re soft, chewy, and full of flavor from the apples, spices, and maple syrup. The maple icing adds an extra layer of sweetness that’s irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply enjoying a cozy fall afternoon, these cookies will quickly become a new favorite!

Apple Cookies with Maple Icing

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients