Maple Glazed Walnut Cream Cheese Cookies
Indulge in the delightful fusion of sweet and tangy flavors with these Maple Glazed Walnut Cream Cheese Cookies. The tender texture comes from a richly blended combination of salted butter, shortening, and velvety cream cheese, creating a soft base that melts in your mouth. Each cookie is generously packed with three forms of walnuts: ground for depth, finely chopped for crunch, and a maple-glazed half on top for a touch of elegance. Perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or as a delightful snack, these cookies can also be frozen ahead of time, ensuring that you have a sweet treat on hand whenever the craving strikes. A hint of nutmeg adds a warm, inviting note that balances the sweetness beautifully.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Salted butter
5 1/3 ounces (softened)
Shortening
5 1/3 ounces
Cream cheese
4 ounces
Sugar
5 1/2 ounces
Vanilla extract
2 tablespoons
All-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups
Oat flour
1 cup
Nutmeg
1 pinch
Ground walnuts
1/3 cup
Finely chopped walnuts
2 cups
Currants
1/4 cup (optional)
Turbinado sugar
(for rolling)
Walnut halves
32
Maple syrup
(for brushing)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened salted butter, shortening, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
2
Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
3
Gradually add in the all-purpose flour, oat flour, nutmeg, and ground walnuts, mixing at low speed until combined and a soft dough forms.
4
Gently fold in the finely chopped walnuts and currants (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5
Scoop half of the cookie batter onto a large sheet of wax paper placed over a double layer of foil, forming a log approximately 2 inches in diameter.
6
Using damp hands, shape the dough into a smooth log. Wrap it securely in wax paper and foil and place it in the freezer. Freeze until very firm, which may take at least 3-4 hours, or up to 6 months for later use.
7
When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
8
Remove one log of dough from the freezer and roll it in turbinado sugar, ensuring all sides are coated.
9
Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the log into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
10
Gently press a walnut half onto the top of each cookie, and brush lightly with maple syrup for a delicious glaze.
11
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 16-17 minutes. They may not appear overly browned, which is perfectly fine.
12
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of these cookies?
They feature a delightful fusion of sweet and tangy flavors with a warm hint of nutmeg and rich maple.
What ingredients create the tender texture?
The soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture comes from a combination of salted butter, shortening, and cream cheese.
How many types of walnuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses walnuts in three forms: ground, finely chopped, and halves.
What is the purpose of ground walnuts in the dough?
Ground walnuts are mixed into the flour base to provide depth of flavor throughout the cookie.
What do the finely chopped walnuts add to the cookies?
They are folded into the dough to provide a pleasant crunch in every bite.
How are the walnut halves utilized?
A walnut half is pressed onto the top of each cookie before baking for elegance and extra crunch.
Is there a specific spice used for warmth?
Yes, a hint of nutmeg is added to balance the sweetness beautifully.
How long should I beat the butter, shortening, and cream cheese?
You should beat them together with the sugar for about 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
What types of flour are required?
The recipe calls for a combination of all-purpose flour and oat flour.
Are currants required for this recipe?
No, currants are an optional ingredient that can be folded into the dough if desired.
How do I shape the cookie dough into logs?
Scoop half the batter onto wax paper and form a log approximately 2 inches in diameter.
Should I use dry or damp hands to shape the dough?
Using damp hands helps in shaping the dough into a smooth log without it sticking.
How should the dough logs be wrapped for freezing?
Wrap them securely in wax paper and a double layer of foil to prevent freezer burn.
How long does the dough need to freeze?
The dough should freeze for at least 3 to 4 hours until it is very firm.
Can I make the dough far in advance?
Yes, the dough logs can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
What is the required oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the sliced cookies.
How should I prepare the baking sheets?
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick.
What should I do with the dough log before slicing it?
Remove the log from the freezer and roll it in turbinado sugar until all sides are coated.
How thick should the cookie rounds be?
Use a sharp serrated knife to slice the log into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
How much space should be left between cookies on the sheet?
Arrange the slices about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
What is the glaze used for these cookies?
The cookies are brushed lightly with maple syrup before they go into the oven.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 16 to 17 minutes.
Will the cookies look very dark when finished?
No, they may not appear overly browned, which is perfectly fine for this recipe.
What is the proper way to cool the cookies?
Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack.
Is salted butter necessary for this recipe?
The recipe calls for salted butter to help balance the sweet maple and tangy cream cheese flavors.
What type of sugar is used for the coating?
Turbinado sugar is used to coat the logs, giving the edges a crunchy texture.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract for a rich flavor profile.
Are these cookies suitable for holiday sharing?
Yes, their elegant appearance and warm flavors make them perfect for holiday gatherings.
What is the best tool for slicing the dough?
A sharp serrated knife is recommended to cut through the firm, frozen dough cleanly.
Is the cream cheese mixed with the butter?
Yes, the cream cheese is beaten together with the butter and shortening at the start of the recipe.