Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies are a classic chewy oatmeal cookie dipped in a rich maple glaze ~ deceptively simple and divinely delicious, you won’t be able to stop at just one. Bake them to enjoy now, or freeze for the holidays, they’re a keeper!
classic old fashioned iced oatmeal cookies with a twist
You might know and love the plain iced oatmeal cookies from Mother’s, Keebler, or Archway. Generations have filled their cookie jars with these classics. But store-bought cookies, however wonderful, have never been able to compete with homemade. For one thing commercial oatmeal cookies are almost always hard and crisp. Mine are soft and chewy. And you won’t find my pure maple glaze in a cellphone package, either.
what you’ll need:
This is a from the pantry recipe if there ever was one!
- rolled oats, I used regular for best texture, but use quick cooking if that’s all you have
- flour, all purpose
- sugar
- brown sugar adds flavor and chewiness
- eggs, large
- shortening (makes these cookies extra chewy)
- vanilla, always use the good stuff!
- salt and baking soda
- cinnamon and nutmeg
If you’re someone who roots around for the plainest cookie in any assortment, who doesn’t care about sparkles or sprinkles or even chocolate, this cookie is for you. It’s a classic, homey, chewy oatmeal cookie with plenty of brown sugar flavor and a lovely maple finish. The lacy effect of the maple frosting is really pretty.
sturdy oatmeal cookies are great choices for giving, shipping, and freezing.
These cookies keep their freshness and texture for at least a week, so I love to keep a pile on the counter for anyone to grab when they need a little energy boost. The frosting hardens so they’re stackable and shippable, if you can bear to part with them.
If you need a foolproof cookie recipe to add to a care package, bring to the office, or give to a neighbor, this is a great choice.
Freeze them between little sheets of waxed paper, and wrap well.
other oatmeal cookies to try ~
Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
maple glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp maple extract, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F, do not grease your baking sheet.
- In a stand mixer or mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugars.
- Add eggs, one at at time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
- Combine the remaining ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture.
- Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto un-greased baking sheets. Flatten lightly with a fork.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. After cooling on the pan for a couple of minutes, move to wire rack to cool completely.
- Let the cookies cool completely before you dip them, otherwise they may break in the process.
- Whisk the maple syrup into the sugar until it forms a glaze. Add enough syrup so that the glaze doesn't leave a trail when you lift the spoon and drizzle it down onto itself. Add the maple extract, if using. I like to transfer the glaze to a wide shallow bowl to make the cookie dipping easier.
- Dip each cookie straight down (head first) into the glaze and then lift straight up, letting some of the excess drip off. Turn the cookie upright and set on a rack to dry. Do a test cookie or two ~ if the glaze seems too thick, thin with a little water. If it's too thin, whisk in more sugar. You want the crackles to show through on the top of the cookie as it dries.
- Let the glaze set up before serving or storing.
Notes
- The exact cooking time will vary according to your oven, the size of your cookies, and even the type of pan you use. Be aware that they don’t get real brown, and will look soft and even slightly underdone, but will firm up as they cool. I ALWAYS do a test cookie or two in case my oven needs adjusting.
- At the risk of sounding like a broken record, use freshly grated nutmeg, it makes such a difference!
- I don’t use shortening in my baking all that often, but when I do I usually use Crisco Butter Flavored Shortening.
Nutrition
I didn’t read the comments (too many), but I’m wondering if anyone tried this with gluten free flour. I may just do it anyway. They sound too yummy to ignore.
Hi! Going to make this week. Could you please just give a ballpark amount for the maple syrup in the glaze. Obviously it can vary a bit. Just trying to understand where to start. It will be production baking, so every bit of info helps! Thank you.
Start with a tablespoon, and go from there.
Would love to try these for my holiday cookie exchange. Would they freeze well and would the icing after dipping set up enough that if they were “stacked lightly ” in containers still look ok?
Yes, they’ll freeze fine, and you will just have to let the glaze harden fully before stacking, but they will stack.
These look like those basic and delicious store bought oatmeal cookies. This usually have some chopped raisins in them. I’m thinking a cup added to the recipe might replicate that?
Yes absolutely, I’ve added raisins and also dried cranberries, see here: oatmeal cranberry cookies.
Could rolled oats be used in place of quick-cooking oats?
Yes, you can use either one.
I have about 3/4 cup of Crisco, that’s been languishing in my pantry for, literally, years. It looks and smells okay (that, in itself, is a bit scary!), so I’m going to add whatever butter is necessary to make a cup, and throw these together. DH was begging for oatmeal cookies, and it’s a wet, cold day … perfect for baking!
These were a hit at my workplace holiday cookie exchange!!
Based on some of my coworkers’ dietary restrictions I used a cup for cup gluten-free flour and gluten-free quick oats; they turned out very well in case anyone else wants to try!!
I’m so glad Erin, and it’s great to know about the gf flour. Happy Holidays 🙂
Thank you for reporting that! I hadn’t been through the comments when I asked if anyone had used gluten free flour. So I’m going to do that!
These were delicious! Mailing some to students chasing finals before the break. These are keepers!
hi! i don’t bake with shortening much… should it be at room temp?
Yes, I keep mine in the cupboard, and that’s how I use it.
Thanks!
Gorgeous cookies, the maple glaze is irresistible!