Maple Leaf Cookies

Name: Maple Leaf Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: about 6 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons cream of tartar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; Dash salt; FROSTING:; 4 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup maple syrup; Maple leaf cookie cutter (2-3/4 inches); Red paste or liquid food coloring; Pastry or heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; #3 round pastry tip, optional

These tasty cookies are perfect for a Canada Day celebration—and the rest of the year as well, says Lynda Harnish of Pembroke, Ontario. "I make big batches at Christmas time for my family," she relates. "We can't get enough of them."

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Dash salt
FROSTING:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup maple syrup
Maple leaf cookie cutter (2-3/4 inches)
Red paste or liquid food coloring
Pastry or heavy-duty resealable plastic bag
#3 round pastry tip, optional

Directions

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Roll out on a floured surface to 1/8-in. thickness; cut with a cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned (do not overbake). Remove to wire racks to cool. For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and salt. Add syrup; beat until smooth. If leaf veins are desired, set aside 1/2 cup; add food coloring to remaining frosting. Spread red frosting on cookies. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip into bag. Fill bag with reserved frosting; pipe veins on leaves.

Originally published as Maple Leaf Cookies in Crafting Traditions July/August 1997