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To make these cookies, you need a few key items. Gather the following ingredients: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 3/4 cup packed brown sugar - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - 2 large eggs - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1 cup white chocolate chips - 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional but recommended) - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon These ingredients work together to create the rich, sweet flavor and chewy texture of the cookies. You can make these cookies your own by adding a few fun extras. Consider these options: - Chopped dried cranberries for a fruity twist - A sprinkle of sea salt on top for contrast - Orange zest for a bright, citrusy flavor - Mini marshmallows for a fluffy surprise Feel free to mix and match! These add-ins bring new flavors and textures to your cookies. Sometimes, you might not have everything on hand. Here are some easy swaps: - Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free option. - Substitute maple syrup with honey for a different sweetness. - Swap white chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate if preferred. - Use gluten-free flour to make these cookies gluten-free. These substitutions still keep the spirit of the recipe while catering to your needs. For the full recipe, check the details above! Gather your ingredients first. You need: - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3/4 cup packed brown sugar - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - 2 large eggs - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt - 1 cup white chocolate chips - 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional) - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Make sure your butter is soft. This helps it mix well. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat this mix until it is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Next, add in the maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth. In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon. This helps mix them evenly. Slowly add the dry mix into the wet mix. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this keeps your cookies soft. Now, fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped pecans if you choose to use them. Make sure they are spread evenly in the dough. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each ball to allow for spreading. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Watch closely! You want the edges to turn a light golden brown. The centers should look slightly underbaked, as they will firm up while cooling. After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. This helps them keep their shape. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. For a festive touch, melt a bit more white chocolate. Drizzle it over the cooled cookies if you like. This step is fun but not needed. Enjoy your White Chocolate Maple Christmas Cookies! To get the right texture in your cookies, start with room temperature butter. This helps the sugars blend well. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until you see no dry flour. Overmixing can make them tough. One common mistake is not measuring flour correctly. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Avoid opening the oven too soon while baking. This can cause your cookies to flatten. Always check for the light golden edges and slightly soft centers. Once your cookies cool, you can make them look festive. Melt some white chocolate and drizzle it over the top. For a fun touch, add sprinkles or crushed pecans. You can even use edible glitter for extra sparkle. Arrange them on a decorated platter for a holiday treat that looks as good as it tastes! For the complete recipe, check out the Full Recipe section. {{image_4}} You can add fun flavors to these cookies. Try mixing in some crushed peppermint candies for a refreshing twist. Chopped dried cranberries can give a fruity zing. You might also enjoy adding a hint of orange zest, which brightens the flavor. Each of these additions makes your cookies unique and festive. While white chocolate shines in this recipe, you can switch it up. Dark chocolate chips offer a richer taste. Semi-sweet chocolate provides a nice balance if you prefer something less sweet. You can even use milk chocolate for a creamier texture. Feel free to mix and match different chocolates for a delightful surprise. If you need a gluten-free version, this recipe can easily adapt. Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum, which helps with texture. Check that all your other ingredients are gluten-free too. This way, everyone can enjoy these delicious cookies without worry! Best Practices for Storing Cookies To keep your White Chocolate Maple Christmas Cookies fresh, follow these steps. First, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Once they are cool, place them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. You can layer the cookies with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Store the container in a cool, dry place. This method keeps the cookies soft and tasty. How to Freeze for Later Use Freezing cookies is a great way to save some for later. Start by cooling the cookies completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about two hours. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to remove as much air as possible. You can freeze these cookies for up to three months. When you want to eat them, just thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Shelf Life of Baked Cookies Baked White Chocolate Maple Christmas Cookies have a good shelf life. When stored properly, they stay fresh for about a week. If you keep them in the fridge, they can last a bit longer, about ten days. However, for the best taste, enjoy them within the first few days. The mix of white chocolate and maple flavors shines best when fresh. For the full recipe, check out the earlier section. Yes, you can use dark chocolate. Dark chocolate gives a rich flavor. It adds a nice contrast to the sweet maple taste. If you love dark chocolate, go ahead and swap it in. Just keep in mind, the cookies will taste different. The sweetness will be less, but the flavor will still be great! To make your cookies chewy, use more brown sugar. Brown sugar has more moisture, which helps. Also, try chilling the dough before baking. This step keeps the cookies thicker and chewier. Bake them just until the edges are golden. The centers should look soft. They will harden as they cool. Even baking starts with a good oven. Always preheat it well to 350°F (175°C). Use two baking sheets, but bake one at a time. This helps the heat circulate. Space the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart. This allows them to spread evenly. Rotate the sheets halfway through baking for even results. These white chocolate maple Christmas cookies are easy and fun. We covered essential ingredients, optional add-ins, and substitutions. You learned step-by-step how to mix and bake. I shared tips to get the right texture and avoid mistakes. We also explored fun variations, storage methods, and answered common questions. I hope you feel ready to bake. Enjoy the process and have fun with flavors! You’ll impress everyone with your tasty cookies. Happy baking!

White Chocolate Maple Christmas Cookies

Get ready to bake the perfect holiday treat with these White Chocolate Maple Christmas Cookies! Soft, chewy, and packed with delightful flavors, these cookies will impress your friends and family. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a batch in just 30 minutes. Don't miss the extra festive touch with a drizzle of white chocolate! Click through for the full recipe and make your Christmas extra sweet this year.

Ingredients
  

1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional but recommended)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper and set aside for later use.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes light and fluffy, typically around 2-3 minutes.

      Gradually incorporate the pure maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture. Continue to mix on medium speed until everything is well blended and smooth.

        In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, and ground cinnamon. This step ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients.

          Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until they are just combined. Take care not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your cookies.

            Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped pecans (if using), ensuring they are evenly dispersed throughout the dough without overworking the mixture.

              Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring to space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

                Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the edges to turn a light golden brown while the centers appear slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool.

                  Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This resting time helps them retain their shape. Afterward, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

                    For an extra festive touch, melt some additional white chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled cookies. This step is purely optional but adds a delightful presentation!

                      Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 24

                        - Presentation Tips: For an appealing presentation, arrange the cookies on a decorative platter. Sprinkle some additional chopped pecans on top and garnish with a few fresh sprigs of holly or mint to create a charming holiday display!