Maple Cookies with Apple Cider Glaze

I love fall baking and my husband loves maple and apple, so this is always a very yummy few months for us. Just because I decided to give up gluten, it doesn’t mean my family has. Of course they support my new eating lifestyle, but truth be told, gluten-free baking is a whole world of its own. Ingredients are different, baking times are different, the whole chemistry of it all is different. It intimidates me, so I still bake some “regular” treats for my boys to enjoy, and to keep my confidence up amidst countless gluten-free recipe fails.

I ended up making this recipe up. My husband was in the mood for something maple flavored, and I was anxious to perfect an apple cider glaze. I figured I might as well try to kill two birds with one stone, because, why not?

The result exceeded my expectations. YUM! The cookie wasn’t too sweet, and the glaze gave it a little extra. I’m always afraid glazes will taste to much like powdered sugar, but this one kept the apple flavor and was sweet without tasting just like sugar. Success! The cookie was good without the glaze, but I really think the glaze just made the cookie. I brought some extras to work and they didn’t last long. Give this one a try! It would be great on the Thanksgiving dessert table, too. Enjoy!

Maple Cookies with Apple Cider Glaze

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. maple extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt

For the glaze:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• dash of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and cover cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
2. Cream shortening and brown sugar until fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg, syrup, and extracts until well mixed.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
6. Chill the dough for an hour.
7. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
9. While the cookies are cooling, make the glaze. Bring the cider to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes or until reduced by half. Stir in the butter, cinnamon, salt, and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until well combined. Add remaining powdered sugar to thicken the glaze, if desired.

   

Old Fashioned Apple Slab

I know, I had no idea what an apple slab was, either.

One of my favorite email subscriptions has to be to King Arthur Flour. I’m obsessed with them – their ingredients, products, recipes, you name it. It is also one of the few paper catalogs that I actually read (and look forward to receiving) every single month.

When I was trying to decide what to make for Thanksgiving dessert, I immediately thought of that KAF email sitting in my inbox. My husband loves all things apple, and I had already decided to make a Pumpkin Roll, so this Old Fashioned Apple Slab recipe was a clear winner. I had all the ingredients except for the buttermilk powder. I did, however, have buttermilk, so I used about 2 Tablespoons of buttermilk in the crust, and cut down on the amount of water I used.

The result was a better version of the best apple pie you’ve ever had. Essentially, an apple slab is an apple pie baked in a 9×13 pan, with a glaze drizzled on top. I don’t know how it can be so much better than an apple pie, but it is. You have to try this for yourself – you can thank me later.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! This is my favorite holiday, and I’m lucky enough to get to celebrate it three times this weekend. It’s OK. You can be jealous 🙂

Whether you’re spending time with friends, family, Fido or your favorite book – whether you’re cooking a big meal, going to a restaurant or having an intimate bowl of mac and cheese – remember to take a minute to reflect on all the blessings in your life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life is short and we should all take the time to smell the  roses.

Enjoy the day no matter what you do, and get ready for those Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales!