Ah, Maple Walnut Cookies! These are a true delight, especially during the festive season. The combination of rich maple syrup and crunchy walnuts creates a cookie that’s not just a treat for the taste buds but also a warm embrace for the soul. Here’s my cherished recipe, perfect for about 24 cookies, ensuring each one is a bite of Christmas joy.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/4 cups (270g)
- Baking Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Unsalted Butter: 3/4 cup (170g), softened
- Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup (100g), packed
- Pure Maple Syrup: 1/3 cup (80ml)
- Egg: 1 large
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Chopped Walnuts: 1 cup (120g)
- Maple Glaze (optional):
- Confectioners’ Sugar: 1 cup (120g)
- Pure Maple Syrup: 2 tablespoons (30ml)
- Milk or Cream: 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml)
Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and light. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Walnuts: Gently fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial as it helps the cookies maintain their shape and enhances the flavors.
Baking
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each, and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Maple Glaze (Optional)
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and milk or cream until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or sugar if needed.
- Drizzle Over Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle them with the maple glaze.
Chef’s Tips
- Quality of Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor. The grade of syrup can vary the taste, with darker grades offering a more robust maple flavor.
- Walnut Size: Chop the walnuts into small pieces for even distribution in each cookie, but not too fine – you want to maintain some crunch.
- Dough Consistency: If the dough is too sticky to handle, even after chilling, add a little more flour, but do so sparingly.
- Oven Watch: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake, as oven temperatures can vary. They should be just golden around the edges but still soft in the middle.
Baking these cookies fills the kitchen with a warm, sweet aroma that’s quintessentially Christmas. Enjoy the process, and let the holiday spirit guide you through each step. Happy baking! 🍪🎄