Maple Cut-Out Cookies

prepared by and photo by Emily Doscher

A cut-out cookie that tastes as good as it looks! Delicious cookies stamped into seasonal shapes deliver the sweet flavor of maple in each bite. A welcomed change to the typical “sugar” cookie…

Size: makes about 6 dozen

Ingredients:
COOKIES:
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp maple extract
ICING:
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp whole milk
Sprinkles or sparkling sugar(s)

Directions:

COOKIES: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and maple extract. Beat in flour mixture until just blended. Divide dough in half. Flatten each half into disk; wrap disks separately in plastic and chill until firm enough to roll out, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out 1 dough disk on lightly floured work surface to 11″ round, about 1/3″ thick. Using 2″ shaped cookie cutter(s) dipped into flour, cut out cookies from dough, place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1″ apart. Re-roll dough scraps on lightly floured surface and cut out additional cookies. Repeat with remaining dough disk.

Bake cookies until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to racks and cool completely.

ICING: Stir powdered sugar and milk in medium bowl until smooth (icing will be thick). Using small offset spatula or butter knife, spread icing over top of 1 cookie, then sprinkle top with sprinkles or sugar crystals. Repeat with remaining cookies, icing, and sprinkles. Let cookies stand at room temperature until icing is dry and firm, at least 1 hour. (Can be made ahead. Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.)

One of Our Favorite Holiday Cookies:
Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies 500 9568

Here’s a Holiday Treat That No One Can Resist.
Candy Canes and Chocolate Make
 Peppermint Bark Irresistible!
Peppermint Bark


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Author: Emily Sarah Downs

Cuisine Coordinator, Tips From Town, Ridgewood, NJ