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The best ever Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies. Homemade brown sugar cookies, made with browned butter, sweet maple, and a secret ingredient that really makes these cookies better than the rest. These cookies are generously glazed with a sweet, thick, and creamy maple glaze that melts in your mouth. There’s really nothing not to love! Perfect for autumn, Halloween night, and any other day in between.

Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

We’re ending the week with cookies…yes, always a good idea! And these are extra, extra special cookies.

I know it’s hard to beat a classic chocolate chip cookie, especially my mom’s, but these cookies give all others a run for their money. They’re different, but not so different that you don’t want to give them a try. Think soft in the center, with perfect edges, and just the right amount of sweetness – all thanks to a mix of maple and brown sugar.

We LOVE these cookies and I’ve been excited to share them for well over a week!

Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

The details

Originally I set out to make a fairly basic brown sugar cookie. But as I was writing the recipe I started to wonder, how could I make them better? And how could I make them with a slight twist that would make each cookie even more perfect for the autumn season?

Of course, brown butter came into play, because every dessert is made better with a little brown butter.

Then I wondered about maybe adding some pumpkin, but then I stopped myself. We can save the pumpkin desserts for October…what about apple butter? I wasn’t sure how apple butter in cookies would work. But I’m here to tell you all that it’s insanely delicious and actually the secret to these cookies. Promise, you don’t taste the apple.

My goal with these cookies was to create a maple cookie. Not only with amazing flavor, but also with a texture closer to my mom’s chocolate chip cookies. It took some playing around with the recipe, but I finally landed on a cookie that’s chewy and so DELICIOUS!

Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

Brown the butter

First things first, brown about three-fourths of the butter, but leave the other fourth at room temp. This gives you the flavor of browned butter but leaves you with a cookie that has great texture too.

When the butter is browned, let it chill a bit before mixing up the dough. The rest goes really quickly.

Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

Make the cookies

Take the reserved brown butter and beat it together with dark brown sugar and maple. Add the apple butter and some vanilla. Mix, mix, mix, then simply stir in the dry ingredients.

For the apple butter, I used my homemade maple apple butter. This is one of my favorite things to keep in the fridge all fall long. You can use my homemade apple butter or pick some up at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, your local market, or via Amazon. I will say that the homemade recipe works a little better for the cookies, but either is great! Just make sure your apple butter is spiced for best flavor.

Bake the cookies, and smell the wonderful scents as they bake. It’s better than your favorite fall candle, trust me.

Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

While the cookies bake, make the glaze.

This glaze is everything. It’s what makes these cookies really melt in your mouth. It’s beyond delicious, and easy to make. Just butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and salt. Simple, yet delicious.

Drizzle the glaze over each cookie, then eat these warm and gooey. Or let them cool and store them. They’re great either way!

Make these tonight, make them this weekend, or maybe even for Halloween. And then, maybe even again for Thanksgiving. Just be sure to make them soon. Trust me, after the first bite you’ll be making batch after batch. These cookies are delectable, just perfectly set on the edges, but soft and gooey in the center with just the right amount of chew.

Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for fall cookie recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Glazed Brown Sugar Maple Cookies

Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies

Lastly, if you make these Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Brown Butter Chewy Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 243 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Maple Glaze

Instructions

  • 1. Add 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) butter to a small saucepan set over medium heat, cooking until the butter begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Stick in the freezer to chill, 10-15 minutes, but no longer.
    2. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the remaining 1/2 stick butter, the cooled browned butter, and the brown sugar until combined. Beat in the maple syrup, apple butter, egg, and vanilla, beating until creamy. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and pecans.
    4. Roll the dough into rounded tablespoon size balls and place 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
    5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and tap the baking sheet on the counter 2 times to flatten them down. Return to the oven and bake another 1-2 minutes or until the cookies are just beginning to set on the edges, but still doughy in the center. Remove from the oven and tap the baking sheet on the counter 1-2 times to flatten them down again. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. They will continue to cook slightly as they sit on the baking sheet.
    6. Meanwhile, make the glaze. Melt together the butter and maple syrup in a small pot over medium heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt.
    Eat warm (highly recommended), or let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. 

Notes

If you’re Cookie Dough is Dry: reduce the flour to 2 1/4 cups and add 1-2 tablespoons additional maple syrup 
 
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These cookies are perfection! Chewy with a crisp edge. I think we are the whole batch in one weekend. They are so so good and easy to make.

    1. Hey Kelsey,
      Happy Monday! 👻 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Happy Halloween! 🎃

  2. 3 stars
    Flavor is good but I think the flour measurement is off. Like a few other people have mentioned, mine turned out a bit cakey and did not flatten out, even with banging the pan on the counter. I used grams so I know the measurement was exact, too. Flavor is still good just not the right texture.

    1. Hi Max,
      Thanks so much for making these cookies and sharing your review. Sorry to hear they didn’t flatten for you. Next time, you could gently press the dough down with your hand before baking, I hope this helps! xT

  3. 5 stars
    The flavor of these cookies are amazing ! I used the homemade apple butter recipe and omg they are so delicious !!

    1. Hi Kim,
      Happy Wednesday! I really appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad it was a winner! 🤩

  4. 5 stars
    I made these tonight and OMG, they were AMAZING!

    I made one mistake — I didn’t read the recipe carefully enough and I just browned the entire 2 sticks of butter rather than leaving a half stick out and adding it later. I also chilled the dough overnight before baking (just something I am in the habit of doing). Anyway, the mistake didn’t make any difference that I could tell and they still tasted incredible.

    The only deliberate substitution I made was to use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. It just seemed like they’d work better with the other flavors than chocolate. Everyone who tried them loved them.

    1. Hey Tina,
      Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you making it! Have a great weekend! 🍁🍂

    1. Hey Leanna,
      The pecans are optional, so you can just simply omit them:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

    1. Hi Shelby,
      Happy Monday!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Yes, you could definitely do that! 🍁 xxT

    1. Hey Abbey,
      You could try using a THICK apple sauce, that might work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT

  5. 5 stars
    Umm wow make these cookies immediately! The recipe was easy to follow and came out perfectly. I’m truly obsessed with these cookies.

    1. Hey Jasmine,
      Fantastic!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for trying it out! Have a great weekend! xx

  6. 5 stars
    I made these for family last weekend and they were an absolute hit. Everybody couldn’t get enough and kept asking for more throughout the weekend. The dough was pretty sticky and I kind of had to scoop it onto the sheet rather than roll into balls, but they still turned out delicious.

    1. Hi Spencer,
      Happy Friday!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out tasty for you, thanks a bunch for giving it a try!

  7. 5 stars
    Baked in an RV oven, fantastic result. Very sweet, so while I prepped everything I didn’t actually end up making the glaze. Awesome fall chocolate chip cookie!

    1. Hey J,
      I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx

    1. Hi Andrea,
      Totally, that should work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT

  8. Has anyone ever tried this recipe with gluten free flour? I want to make these for a potluck this weekend and a couple of the guests are GF. Thanks! 🙂

    1. Hey Rachel,
      Using an equal amount of gluten free flour should work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx

  9. Forgot to buy maple syrup! I’m aware that pancake syrup isn’t the same. Is there something you’d suggest in a pinch?

    1. Hi Cary,
      You could try using the pancake syrup with some honey. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx

  10. 5 stars
    Made these sweet delicious cookies last night. I always love your recipes everything turns out perfect. To my surprise I thought they were even better after sitting over night with my morning coffee. My boyfriend suggested next time instead of chocolate chips I use butterscotch pieces – will try that next time (he’s not a huge chocolate guy, I am!) thank you for another delicious recipe.

    1. Hi Whitney,
      Happy Monday!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was tasty for you! Thanks for making it:) xx