Introduction
If fall had a flavor, it would be maple. These 23 maple shortbread cookie recipes capture everything we love about the season — buttery, crisp, golden, and kissed with warm maple sweetness. From nutty classics to spiced, glazed, and creative twists, each recipe brings the comforting aroma of autumn right into your kitchen. Perfect for baking, gifting, or pairing with a cozy mug of tea.
1. Classic Maple Shortbread
The simplest, most timeless version — buttery, crisp, and lightly sweetened with maple.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Beat butter and maple syrup until smooth.
- Add flour and salt; mix until dough forms.
- Roll and cut shapes. Bake 12–15 minutes until edges are light golden.
How to Serve It
Serve with hot tea or crumble over vanilla ice cream.
2. Maple Pecan Shortbread
Buttery maple cookies meet the crunch of toasted pecans — a perfect fall pairing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Beat butter and syrup.
- Add flour, salt, and pecans.
- Shape and chill 30 minutes.
- Bake 14 minutes at 325°F.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with maple syrup for extra shine.
3. Maple Glazed Shortbread
A maple glaze adds sweetness and sheen for bakery-style beauty.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Make shortbread dough and bake.
- Mix maple syrup and powdered sugar for glaze.
- Brush or drizzle on cooled cookies.
How to Serve It
Let glaze set before storing or stacking.
4. Maple Walnut Shortbread
Nutty, buttery, and rich — walnuts bring texture to these maple cookies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Mix butter, syrup, and flour.
- Stir in walnuts.
- Bake 15 minutes at 325°F.
How to Serve It
Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a rustic look.
5. Brown Sugar Maple Shortbread
Brown sugar deepens the maple flavor with rich caramel sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 ¼ cups flour
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add syrup and flour.
- Bake 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with coffee for a cozy afternoon treat.
6. Maple Chocolate Drizzle Shortbread
A touch of dark chocolate turns these cookies into elegant treats.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 3 oz melted dark chocolate
Instructions
- Bake shortbread cookies.
- Once cool, drizzle chocolate across tops.
How to Serve It
Perfect for holiday cookie boxes.
7. Maple Oat Shortbread
Oats give these cookies a lovely chewy edge and rustic charm.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ¾ cup rolled oats
Instructions
- Cream butter and syrup.
- Add flour and oats.
- Shape and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Great with milk or herbal tea.
8. Maple Cinnamon Shortbread
Cinnamon and maple blend into the coziest fall cookie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix ingredients into a smooth dough.
- Roll, cut, and bake 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar on top before baking.
9. Maple Almond Shortbread
Toasted almonds add crunch and depth to this buttery cookie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Blend ingredients.
- Chill dough and shape.
- Bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Pair with almond milk or chai tea.
10. Maple Leaf Cutout Shortbread
Leaf-shaped cookies that look like autumn itself.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 ¼ cups flour
Instructions
- Roll dough and cut with a maple leaf cutter.
- Bake 10–12 minutes.
How to Serve It
Perfect for gifting in small boxes.
11. Maple Buttercream Sandwich Cookies
Soft shortbread layers filled with sweet maple buttercream.
Ingredients
- 2 cups baked shortbread rounds
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Mix butter, sugar, and syrup.
- Spread between cookies.
How to Serve It
Enjoy fresh with coffee.
12. Maple Hazelnut Shortbread
Rich hazelnuts complement maple’s smooth sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup hazelnuts
Instructions
- Combine ingredients.
- Shape and bake 14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Dip half in chocolate for extra indulgence.
13. Maple Vanilla Bean Shortbread
Elegant and aromatic — the vanilla brings maple’s sweetness to life.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 1 vanilla bean (seeds only)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Bake 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with vanilla ice cream.
14. Maple Sea Salt Shortbread
Sweet and salty — the best kind of balance.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- Pinch of flaky salt
Instructions
- Bake cookies.
- Sprinkle sea salt while warm.
How to Serve It
Best enjoyed with dark chocolate.
15. Maple Pumpkin Shortbread
Pumpkin puree adds color, flavor, and moisture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Bake 14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with maple glaze and cinnamon dust.
16. Maple Lavender Shortbread
Floral and fragrant — a soothing cookie with a maple twist.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp dried lavender
Instructions
- Blend ingredients and chill 30 minutes.
- Bake 12–15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Enjoy with herbal tea or lemonade.
17. Maple Coconut Shortbread
Coconut adds a hint of chew and sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Mix and shape.
- Bake until golden at edges.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with maple glaze for extra shine.
18. Maple Espresso Shortbread
The bold coffee aroma meets buttery maple.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
Instructions
- Combine ingredients.
- Bake 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Pair with an espresso shot.
19. Maple Cardamom Shortbread
A warm, aromatic twist with exotic spice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp cardamom
Instructions
- Mix and bake at 325°F for 13 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with chai for full fall flavor.
20. Maple Cranberry Shortbread
Sweet and tart cranberries brighten every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Stir cranberries into dough.
- Bake 14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with orange zest glaze.
21. Maple Pistachio Shortbread
Crunchy pistachios add color and a nutty twist.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup pistachios
Instructions
- Mix, shape, and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle pistachios before baking for crunch.
22. Maple Bacon Shortbread
A playful mix of smoky and sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ cup cooked bacon bits
Instructions
- Mix and bake 15 minutes.
- Drizzle with maple glaze if desired.
How to Serve It
Serve warm for a brunch twist.
23. Maple Chai Shortbread
Infused with cozy chai spice — the essence of fall in a cookie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp chai spice blend
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients.
- Bake 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It
Enjoy with a hot chai latte or spiced milk.
Conclusion
Every one of these maple shortbread cookies is a little piece of fall comfort — buttery, crisp, and full of cozy flavor. Whether you bake one batch or all 23, your kitchen will smell like maple leaves and warm memories. 🍁
Save your favorites, bake them for friends, and let the sweetness of autumn fill every bite.
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