Name: Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: PT-492887H23M17S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 tbsp unsalted butter (at room temperature); ½ cup + 3 tbsp granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1½ tsp vanilla extract; 1½ tsp maple extract; 1¾ cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; ½ tbsp cornstarch; 2 tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp salt; 3 tbsp cream cheese (softened); 10 tbsp unsalted butter (softened); ½ tsp maple extract; ¼ tsp salt; 3½ cups powdered sugar; ½ tbsp milk; 1½ cups pure maple syrup (divided: ¾ cup for glaze, remainder for other uses); 11 slices thick cut bacon (minced)

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 3 reviews

If you love the perfect balance of sweet and savory treats, our Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender, buttery cookies infused with rich maple flavor, topped with fluffy maple cream cheese frosting and crispy bacon bits that bring a delightful crunch. This recipe combines unexpected ingredients in the most delicious way, making each bite a little celebration for your taste buds. Trust me, once you try these cookies, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a thick, square piece of dough placed on grey parchment paper with subtle white grid lines. The dough is pale yellow with small, scattered brown bits mixed throughout. It has a rough, slightly uneven surface with some visible creases and cracks. The dough edges are rounded but show a few indentations and texture variations, giving it a handmade look. The lighting highlights the soft texture and minor imperfections on the dough's surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a unique role, adding depth to the flavor and texture that makes these cookies so irresistible. From the creamy butter to the crispy bacon, every element is essential for creating that perfect harmony of sweet and salty.

6 tbsp unsalted butter (at room temperature): Provides a rich, creamy base that keeps the cookies soft.
½ cup + 3 tbsp granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the cookie’s tender texture.
1½ tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with classic warmth.
1½ tsp maple extract: Intensifies the maple flavor, making it truly stand out.
1¾ cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour: Provides the necessary structure without weighing down the cookies.
½ tbsp cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies tender and soft.
2 tsp baking powder: Gives the cookies a light, slightly puffy texture.
¼ tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
3 tbsp cream cheese (softened): Key for the luscious, tangy frosting.
10 tbsp unsalted butter (softened): Makes the frosting silky and rich.
½ tsp maple extract: Adds a subtle maple accent to the frosting.
¼ tsp salt: Enhances the frosting’s flavor complexity.
3½ cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly.
½ tbsp milk: Adjusts frosting consistency for easy spreading.
1½ cups pure maple syrup: The star ingredient for the glaze.
11 slices bacon (thick cut, minced): Provides that iconic salty crunch that makes these cookies unforgettable.

How to Make Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by creaming the 6 tablespoons of room temperature unsalted butter with the granulated sugar on high speed. This should take about 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies a lovely texture.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Extracts

Mix in the eggs one at a time to ensure they blend perfectly into the batter. Then, stir in the vanilla and maple extracts to build that warm, inviting aroma and an unmistakable hint of maple that’s key to this recipe.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. This combination ensures the cookies are tender yet hold their shape. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 4 hours or overnight. Chilling is essential here to firm up the dough since it’s sticky, making it easier to handle and enhancing the flavor.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly. Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to drop dough balls onto the sheet, spacing them about an inch apart. If your scoop gets sticky, just dip it in powdered sugar. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden.

Step 6: Prepare the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies cool, soften the cream cheese in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Beat it with softened butter, maple extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Then gradually incorporate powdered sugar and milk, beating on high until your frosting is luscious and spreadable.

Step 7: Bake and Prepare Bacon Crumbles

Increase the oven temperature to 405 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay out the minced bacon slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until crisp and golden. Let cool then crush the bacon into tiny crumbs using a rolling pin inside a ziplock bag. These bacon bits are what make this Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe truly special.

Step 8: Optional Maple Syrup Glaze

For an extra glossy and intense maple touch, heat ¾ cup of pure maple syrup over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it boils. Using a candy thermometer, cook to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon the hot syrup over the frosted cookies in a circular pattern and immediately sprinkle with bacon crumbles. Be sure to prepare small batches since the syrup hardens quickly.

How to Serve Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe

The image shows round cookies each with three layers. The bottom layer is a soft, pale yellow cookie with a smooth surface. The middle layer is a thick, even white cream spread in a circular shape, sitting right on top of the cookie. The top layer is a shiny amber-colored jelly or jam, with darker reddish-brown crunchy bits sprinkled unevenly over it. The cookies are placed on a rough-textured brown woven mat that rests on a white marbled surface. In the background, more cookies are slightly out of focus, showing the same layering and colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe instantly, consider garnishing with a sprinkle of sea salt or a delicate drizzle of extra maple syrup. The salt enhances the bacon’s savoriness while the drizzle adds moisture and an extra layer of sweetness. A few fresh thyme leaves can add an unexpected herbal twist that pairs beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine alongside a cozy cup of hot coffee, rich black tea, or creamy chai latte. You can also serve them as a fun dessert at brunch with fresh fruit or a small cheese plate to complement the savory elements.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try stacking these cookies with frosting between as sandwich cookies or arrange them on a wooden board alongside small bowls of extra bacon crumbles, maple syrup, and whipped cream for guests to customize their treats. Wrapping a couple in a cellophane bag with a festive ribbon makes a thoughtful homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated, store your Maple Bacon Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the frosting fresh and the biscuits soft. If you want the bacon topping to stay crisp, add it just before serving.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cookies without frosting for up to 3 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to freezer bags. Thaw at room temperature and frost just before enjoying. The frosting and bacon topping don’t freeze well together, so keep those fresh.

Reheating

For a fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm individual cookies for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave. Avoid reheating with frosting on as it may melt; warm unstopped cookies then add frosting and bacon to keep textures perfect.

FAQs

Can I use regular bacon instead of thick cut?

Absolutely! Just keep in mind that regular bacon tends to be thinner and may crisp up faster or crumble differently, but the flavor is just as wonderful in your Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe.

What if I don’t have maple extract?

If maple extract isn’t available, you can increase the amount of pure maple syrup in the frosting slightly, but the extract really enhances that intense maple flavor that pairs so well with bacon.

Is cornstarch necessary in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps keep the cookies soft and tender. While you could omit it, your cookies might be less delicate in texture, so I recommend including it for the best results.

How do I prevent the maple syrup glaze from hardening too fast?

The key is to work quickly and prepare only small batches of the cooked syrup glaze at a time. Make sure you have all your tools ready before heating, and drizzle immediately once it reaches 360°F.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

With some adjustments, yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to replicate the cookie’s texture.

Final Thoughts

This Maple Bacon Cookies Recipe is a delightful adventure in flavor that’s bound to impress anyone lucky enough to try it. The perfect mix of sweet maple and savory bacon creates a cookie experience that’s both unique and utterly satisfying. I encourage you to bake a batch, share them with friends, and watch how quickly they disappear. You’re about to make a new favorite treat in your baking repertoire!