Melt-in-the-mouth maple leaf-shaped cookies, lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, sandwich a smooth vegan maple buttercream frosting in the middle. No dairy, no eggs, just pure, vegan indulgence.

Vegan Maple Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe offers a perfect combination of buttery flavor and cozy fall spices, all in a uniquely leaf-shaped form that’s festive and charming. These cookies are entirely vegan, making them accessible and allergy-friendly. The maple buttercream adds a rich, silky sweetness that beautifully complements the spiced cookie. Effortless to make and delightful to share, they’re ideal for seasonal gatherings or cozyizing tea time.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookies

200 g dairy-free block butter (cold and cubed)
100 g caster sugar
300 g all-purpose/plain flour
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the cream filling

60 g dairy-free butter (softened)
2 tablespoons maple syrup
150 g icing/powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Dairy-free milk (as needed)

directions

Preheat the oven to 170°C (fan). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
In a bowl, cream together cold cubed dairy-free butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy.
Sift in flour, add maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix into a thick dough by hand or with a mixer. Wrap in plastic or baking paper and chill for 40 minutes to 1 hour.
When firm, roll dough out to ~½ cm thickness on a floured surface. Cut with a maple leaf cutter and use a knife to define leaf details. Place on the lined tray.
Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges turn golden. Rotate tray halfway if needed. Cool cookies slightly on tray, then transfer to a wire rack.
For the frosting: whip softened dairy-free butter until pale and fluffy. Add maple syrup, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of dairy-free milk for a pipe-able consistency.
Pipe frosting onto half the cookies, then sandwich with the remaining cookies. Serve and enjoy!

Servings and timing

Yield: 8–10 sandwich cookies
Prep time: about 15 minutes (plus 40–60 minutes chilling)
Cook time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Total time: approximately 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling)

Variations

Use a different cookie cutter shape—like stars or hearts—for other occasions.
Add finely chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) into the dough for texture.
Use spiced sugar (e.g. cinnamon sugar) to coat cookies before baking.
Incorporate orange zest into the dough or frosting for a citrusy twist.
Substitute vanilla with almond extract for a nutty aroma in the filling.

storage/reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving to soften the buttercream. Do not freeze, as the texture may be affected.

FAQs

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes. Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

What vegan butter brands work best?

Highly recommended: Flora Plant Butter or Naturli Vegan Block for flavor and consistency.

Can I skip chilling the dough?

Chilling helps maintain shape and flavor. Without it, cookies may spread and lose detail.

Can I use a different shape instead of maple leaf?

Absolutely! You can use any cookie cutter—circles, hearts, stars—for different themes.

Can I reduce the sugar?

Yes, you may decrease sugar slightly, but texture and sweetness of both cookie and frosting may vary.

Can I melt the butter beforehand?

No—using cold cubed butter is essential to achieve the delicate shortbread-like texture.

How do I get the frosting to pipe nicely?

Whip the filling until fluffy, then add small amounts of dairy-free milk until it’s pipe-able but not runny.

Can I make them without frosting?

Yes—cookies are delicious plain, or lightly dusted with caster sugar.

Can I bake in an oven instead of using fan mode?

Yes. Increase temperature slightly to around 180°C, and check for golden edges.

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Yes—prepare and assemble a day before. Keep chilled and bring to room temp before serving.

Conclusion

These Vegan Maple Cookies are an elegant, cozy bake that’s as charming as they are delicious. Soft, buttery cookies infused with warming spices are perfectly matched with silky maple frosting. Whether for a fall gathering or tea-time treat, they’re sure to impress and delight.

Chef Sophia

Vegan Maple Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe