Maple Spiced Autumn Cutout Cookies
Celebrate the flavors of autumn with these delightful Maple Spiced Cutout Cookies. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and a touch of maple syrup, these cookies offer a pleasantly sweet crunch, perfect for fall gatherings or cozy evenings at home. This Cooking Light recipe contest finalist is a cherished dessert that not only tastes delicious but also invites creativity with festive shapes and decorations. Remember to allow time for the dough to chill for the best texture!
24
Servings
75
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
flour
2 1/4 cups (all-purpose)
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
baking soda
1/4 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon
granulated sugar
6 tablespoons
maple syrup
1/2 cup
maple flavoring
1 teaspoon
large egg whites
2, divided
chopped walnuts
1/3 cup (coarsely chopped)
turbinado sugar
2 tablespoons (or granulated sugar)
cooking spray
as needed (for the baking sheet)
Instructions
1
Begin by melting the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
2
Cook the butter until the milk solids stop crackling and turn a light amber color, which should take about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
3
Carefully transfer the melted butter mixture to a small bowl, scraping the pan well to include all the milk solids.
4
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the butter mixture for about 20 minutes or until it becomes soft and congealed but not fully firm.
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled butter mixture with granulated sugar. Beat at medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is well blended.
7
Next, add in the maple syrup, maple flavoring, and one egg white to the butter mixture. Beat at low speed for an additional 2 minutes until thoroughly blended.
8
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, and beat on low speed just until combined.
9
Divide the dough in half, shaping each portion into a ball. Wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for one hour or until firm.
10
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
11
In a food processor, combine the chopped walnuts and turbinado sugar. Pulse about 15 times until the mixture is coarsely ground.
12
In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg white until slightly frothy.
13
Working one portion of the chilled dough at a time (keep the other portion refrigerated), roll the dough on a floured surface to an even thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
14
Place the cutout cookies on a baking sheet that has been lightly coated with cooking spray.
15
Gently brush the tops of the cookies with the whisked egg white, then sprinkle evenly with half of the walnut mixture.
16
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes or until the edges turn a pale golden brown.
17
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.
18
Repeat this process with the remaining dough, egg white, and walnut mixture to finish baking all cookies.
Nutrition Information
3.3
Fat
10.7
Carbs
1
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Maple Spiced Autumn Cutout Cookies?
These are festive cookies infused with maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg, offering a sweet crunch that is perfect for autumn gatherings.
How many calories are in each cookie?
Each serving of these cookies contains approximately 75 calories.
What are the primary spices used in this recipe?
The primary spices used are 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
How do I prepare the butter for the dough?
Melt the butter over low heat until the milk solids turn amber, then refrigerate for 20 minutes until soft and congealed.
How long should the dough be chilled before rolling?
The dough should be divided into balls, wrapped in plastic, and chilled for at least one hour or until firm.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the cookies.
What ingredients make up the cookie topping?
The topping is a coarsely ground mixture of chopped walnuts and turbinado sugar.
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
Roll the dough on a floured surface to an even thickness of approximately 1/8 inch.
What size cookie cutter should be used?
A 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter is recommended for creating the festive shapes.
How long do these cookies need to bake?
The cookies bake for approximately 12 minutes or until the edges are pale golden brown.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 24 servings.
What type of flour is required?
The recipe calls for 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
Can I use granulated sugar instead of turbinado sugar for the topping?
Yes, the recipe suggests granulated sugar as a suitable alternative for the topping.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 3.3 grams of fat.
How much maple syrup is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of maple syrup.
What is the protein content of one cookie?
Each cookie provides 1 gram of protein.
How many egg whites are needed?
You will need 2 large egg whites, which are used separately in the dough and as a wash.
Should the baking sheet be greased?
Yes, the baking sheet should be lightly coated with cooking spray.
How do I prepare the walnut topping?
Pulse the walnuts and turbinado sugar in a food processor about 15 times until coarsely ground.
What are the total carbohydrates per cookie?
There are 10.7 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
Why do I need to brush the cookies with egg white?
Brushing with egg white helps the walnut and sugar topping adhere to the cookies during baking.
What type of maple flavoring is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of maple flavoring in addition to the maple syrup.
Is there any salt in the recipe?
Yes, the dough includes 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
What texture should the butter have after refrigeration?
It should be soft and congealed but not fully firm before being beaten with the sugar.
How long should I beat the butter and sugar together?
The butter and sugar should be beaten at medium speed for about 3 minutes.
How long do the cookies need to cool?
They should be cooled completely on wire racks after being removed from the oven.
Is this recipe a contest winner?
Yes, this recipe was a Cooking Light recipe contest finalist.
What are the leavening agents used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
Can I bake all the dough at once?
It is recommended to work with one portion of dough at a time while keeping the rest refrigerated.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include cookie, dessert, autumn, maple, spiced, cutout, holiday, baking, and festive.