Maple Shortbread Cookies

These melt-in-your-mouth Maple Shortbread Cookies are buttery cookies sliced into bars, made with just a touch of maple sugar to add a little more sweetness.

I love a good shortbread cookie! They are a delightful treat for afternoon tea or on Christmas cookie platters. This recipe uses maple sugar to add a natural maple flavor that’s reminiscent of your favorite Sunday morning pancakes!

What is Maple Sugar and Where Can I Find It?

Maple sugar is a traditional sweetener made from boiling down pure maple syrup until the liquid evaporates, leaving behind solid sugar crystals. You can use it in baking, like we are today, or as a substitute for other sweeteners.

You can buy it in a specialty grocery store, on Amazon at this link, or you can make your own (just search YouTube for a tutorial!).
The maple sugar pictured above is what I used. It was gifted to me by a friend and is not the same as the one you can purchase on Amazon – just FYI.

Ingredients for Maple Shortbread Cookies

You’ll need these simple ingredients to make your maple cookies:

• Butter, room temperature
•  Maple sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post to see a detailed ingredient list and instructions!

Let’s bake Shortbread Maple Cookies!

1. First, preheat oven to 350°F, and prepare an 8 × 8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. It will allow you to lift the shortbread out of the pan and slice it easily and neatly on a cutting board.
2. Next, in a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the room temperature butter, powdered sugar, and maple sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy.
3. Whisk the dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, and salt) together, then add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat for 1 minute on low in a mixer, then increase the speed to medium-high for another 1-2 minutes until a smooth dough forms.
4. Press the cookie dough into an even layer in the prepared pan and bake for 20 – 25 minutes until the top and edges are lightly golden brown.
5. Place the pan on a cooling rack and allow the shortbread to cool to room temperature in the pan. Then remove the shortbread from the parchment and slice into sticks. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Cookie Variations

Want to make your cookies extra special? 

• Try adding a small amount of chopped pecans for maple pecan shortbread cookies. 
• You can top your cookies with maple sugar or brown sugar, or even mix up a maple glaze in a small bowl with some powdered sugar and maple syrup. 
• Consider using a cookie stamp for personalization, or use a cookie cutter to make maple leaf shapes.

Recipe Tips

• Use a high-quality butter for the best results. 
• If your dough is too crumbly, melt a tablespoon or so of butter and add it to the dough.
• Many experts recommend poking holes in the shortbread dough with a fork to help ensure it bakes evenly and doesn’t bubble up. I didn’t do that when I tested this recipe, but you can do this if you’re used to making shortbread this way!

FAQs

How do I store leftover Maple Shortbread?

You can store your sweet cookie bars wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to one week. 

Can I freeze Maple Shortbread Cookies?

Yes, you can also freeze these in a sealed freezer bag or another container for 2-3 months. Let the cookies cool completely before storing them.

Thaw the cookies on the countertop for a few hours before serving them.

Other Maple Recipes you’ll love

Maple lovers will salivate over these Maple Glazed Donut Holes. For a mix of sweet and savory, try this Maple Bacon Gravy. And for a classic Southern meal, make some Sweet Tea Fried Chicken with Bourbon Maple Syrup.

Favorite Cookie Recipes

I love making cookies, and these are some of my absolute favorites. Try one of these cookie recipes next time:

• Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies
• Peanut and Cookie Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Milk Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
• Bourbon Chocolate Caramel Cookies
• Brown Butter Pistachio and Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Salted Butterscotch Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Did you try making Maple Shortbread Cookies? Let me know how they turned out in the comments!

This post was originally published on 2/24/17. It has been updated with photos and in format on 5/8/25.