Instructions

  1. To make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugars, cream of tartar, and salt until fluffy.

  2. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping between additions. Beat in the maple flavoring.

  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, and flour. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat until blended.

  4. Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes, to stiffen it and make it easier to shape.

  5. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease or line two baking sheets with parchment.

  6. To make the topping: Combine the sugars in a small bowl or in a large plastic bag.

  7. Drop the dough by the rounded tablespoonful into the sugar, gently shake the pan (or bag) to coat the balls, then roll them in your hands until they're smooth and round.

  8. Place the cookies on parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheets, about 1 1/2" apart.

  9. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they're a very light, golden brown.

  10. Remove them from the oven, and after 5 minutes transfer them to a rack to cool.

  11. To make the glaze: Mix together the glaze ingredients to make a spreadable frosting.

  12. Smooth a thin layer over the cookies, or drizzle for a nice-looking effect.

  13. Let the glaze dry for several hours before packing the cookies in airtight containers. Store for 1 week, or freeze for up to a month.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Reader Donna Green sent us the following recipe via e-mail. She writes, "My fiance is very fond of maple-flavored things, so I've come up with a maple version of an old classic cookie. I thought you might like the recipe. They're a variation of Snickerdoodles, so I call them Mapledoodles."

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