Maple Sugar Cookies put a flavorful spin on everyday sugar cookies by adding maple syrup and extract as the flavoring.

Maple Sugar Cookies

By Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime

This recipe mostly comes about because of #FoodieExtravaganza having maple syrup as a topic this month and coinciding with the 12 Days of #ChristmasCookies. And maple being a family favorite here, I thought to make these. And I know you might be thinking that this is more of an autumn recipe, it really is not. The cookies themselves have such a great flavor. And I did try to dress the leaves as close as I could to Christmas colors, but just like with any  other sugar cookie cut-out recipe, you can use any shape cookie cutter you desire, as well as any sprinkle. The maple flavor will be welcome year-round, I assure you.

So I did do the green, red and white sugars. But my favorite is sprinkling them with pure maple sugar, which is actually the crystallized reduction of maple syrup itself with all the liquid removed. You’ll note in the photos it has sort of a brownish  tone and that is because the sugars in it melt and caramelize right on the cookie, for an insanely delicious burst of both caramel and maple.

If I  had  little ones still around I’m sure I’d be digging into the Santa and snowman cookie cutters. I  liked having the chance to use the leaf cutter for the adults around here (Yes, my baby girl  is well into her twenties, even though she’s still my baby girl- she will always be my baby girl. My mom used to tell the same thing  to me and I never understood really, but time does in fact reveal all…)

I am getting out of  here quick tonight so do pardon my rush–I have had a wicked time with my back hurting today. I think I have a date with a heating pad and naproxen. But don’t worry- I’ll be back tomorrow with Hungarian Poppyseed Pinwheel Cookies and Chestnut Praline Latte Cookies on Friday. Cookies will continue through the weekend with Turtle Chocolate Chip Cookies on Saturday and Cherry-Pistachio Icebox Cookies on Sunday. That’s a lot of baking! I hope to see you each and every day. Until then-

~Sue

The Foodie Extravaganza is a monthly party hosted by bloggers who love food! Each month we incorporate one main ingredient or theme into recipes to share with you. We take turns hosting and this month it’s Lauren of Sew You Think You Can Cook.

If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you! If you’re a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board! Looking for our previous parties? Check them out HERE.

December 17th is National Maple Syrup Day and Lauren challenged us to bake with, cook with, or make a beverage with maple syrup. (For some international bloggers who can’t find maple syrup, they’ll be joining the fun with honey as a substitute.)

And don’t forget to check out all these other maply recipes:

• Basbousa – Egyptian Semolina Cake from Sneha of Sneha’s Recipe
• Bangin’ Breakfast Potatoes from Rebekah of Making Miracles
• Gluten-Free Maple Chestnut Cookies from Caroline of Caroline’s Cooking
• Maple Pecan Bars from Nichole of Cookaholic Wife
• Maple Sugar Cookies from Sue of Palatable Pastime
• Maple Walnut Vinaigrette from Tara of Tara’s Multicultural Table
• Momiji Tempura from Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Overnight French Toast Casserole from Elaine of Cookin and Craftin
• Rosemary Maple Glazed Turkey Breast from Lauren of Sew You Think You Can Cook
• The Back Forty Cocktail from Stacy of Food Lust People Love