Vanilla Chip Maple Cookies

Name: Vanilla Chip Maple Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: about 7 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup shortening; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 2 cups packed brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon maple flavoring; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 cups white baking chips; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; FROSTING:; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 4 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 teaspoon maple flavoring; 4 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk; 3-1/2 cups pecan halves

Since my husband farms, I try to have simple meals and snacks available, as I never know when he and his father will come in from the fields. These cookies have a distinct maple flavor and stay moist and soft, although they're never in my cookie jar for long! —Debra Hogenson Brewster, Minnesota

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups white baking chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
FROSTING:
1/4 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
4 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk
3-1/2 cups pecan halves

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and maple flavoring. Combine the flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in vanilla chips and pecans.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.
In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in maple flavoring and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies. Top each with a pecan half.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 308 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Vanilla Chip Maple Cookies in Taste of Home June/July 2001

Reviews

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Average Rating:

jalo1951

Oct 30, 2016

This is a wonderful way to enjoy the taste of maple. I have made these at Christmas for the past few years and will continue to do so. I give a lot of baked goods as gifts and everyone just loves these. I dropped the white chips and either add a cup of chopped pecans to the batter or when I frost them I dip them in chopped pecans. Everyone does the usual Christmas cookies such as sugar, spritz, almond and chocolate chip. And that's fine, I do too. But something a bit different is a nice addition to a gift basket of goodies. Easy to follow recipe, fantastic taste and presentation makes for a real winner.
pickbet5239

Jan 23, 2013

We thought these were very good. I wondered about adding some salt but found they didn't need it. I didn't frost them since they were very sweet without it and we're dieting, we have to cut some calories if at all possible. ; ) Next time I might leave out the Vanilla Chips and just add chopped walnuts. I certainly will make them again.
argyllca

Nov 21, 2012

A fall favorite in our house, and seriously my all time favorite cookie ever!! This cookie is ridiculously amazing!
newrecipejunkie

Jun 26, 2012

After reading all the rave reviews, I hesitate to write this one, but everyone has different opinions. I thought these cookies were way too sweet.I didn't want to buy maple extract as I had pure maple syrup in the fridge which I used. That may have been part of the problem. But the frosting was soooo sweet too. If I make them again, I might the frosting.
Karen J

Nov 19, 2011

My husband's favorite!
joniotto

Nov 7, 2011

These cookies are one of my family's favorites and the recipe is among my most requested! (There are usually several cookies "missing" before I even have a chance to frost them!) :) Great recipe!
trachtmj

Jul 19, 2011

These were a huge hit at a July 4th party, they all disappeared. My husband loves them. Am making them again for my book club, but my grocer had no vanilla chips, so I am trying them with butterscotch chips. What could be bad!
gail ann

May 28, 2011

I love maple. I really love these cookies.
lrsauder

Mar 22, 2011

Delicious once I added 1/2 t. salt
amjollytoo

Dec 20, 2010

This is a great tasting cookie! Always a hit when I make these! They taste absolutley delicious!! Easy and they won't last long!!