If you love warm, buttery, crispy treats with a touch of sweet sophistication, you’re going to adore this Waffle Cookie Recipe with Maple Glaze Recipe. It’s the best kind of cookie because it’s like having a waffle and a cookie rolled into one – crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and just begging for that rich, buttery maple glaze to take it over the top. I promise, once you make these, they’ll quickly become your weekend baking staple.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture: The addition of cornstarch and a bit of baking powder makes the cookies tender yet crisp around the edges.
Maple Glaze Magic: A luscious maple glaze that’s not too sweet with just the right buttery richness enhances every bite.
Waffle Iron Charm: Cooking the cookie dough in a mini waffle iron creates unique texture and shape you can’t get with standard cookie baking.
Simple Ingredients: You only need pantry basics and a mini waffle iron, making it accessible and quick to whip up.

Waffle Cookie with Maple Glaze, Maple Glaze Waffle Cookies, Crispy Waffle Cookie Recipe, Buttered Maple Cookie Treats, Weekend Baking Waffle Cookies - The image shows several small heart-shaped waffles placed on a white marbled surface, some plain golden brown and others topped with a smooth light beige icing or drizzle. There is a red strawberry near the back, resting on a crumpled teal cloth that adds a pop of color behind the waffles. The waffles have a classic grid pattern, with some fully covered in icing and others partially decorated. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients for this Waffle Cookie Recipe with Maple Glaze Recipe come together in such a straightforward way, but each has a role that makes this recipe truly sing. You’ll notice things like cornstarch in the dry mix—it’s a little secret weapon that lightens the cookies, giving that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Plus, the mix of granulated and light brown sugar keeps the flavor balanced and gives a hint of caramel notes.

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness, and it helps create a tender, rich cookie.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the cookie’s crisp edges.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that plays beautifully with the maple glaze.
Egg: Acts as a binder and gives structure to the cookie dough.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor, giving a warm aroma.
All-Purpose Flour: The bulk of your cookie’s structure comes from here.
Cornstarch: Softens the cookie’s texture, keeping it tender inside without losing crispness.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: They work together to give a slight lift and prevent the cookie from becoming too dense.
Table Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Maple Syrup: For the glaze, it adds natural sweetness and that unmistakable maple depth.
Salted Butter: Melting it into the glaze combines richness with a hint of salt, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
Powdered Sugar: Provides smooth sweetness and thickens the glaze nicely without graininess.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love keeping the base recipe classic, but I’m always experimenting with the glaze to match the season or my mood. You could also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough for a cozy twist. The beauty of this Waffle Cookie Recipe with Maple Glaze Recipe is how flexible it is—you can tweak it to make it your own.

Variation: Once, I added a pinch of cinnamon in the dough and swapped half the vanilla for almond extract—those cookies disappeared in minutes!
Dairy-Free Option: You can swap the butter for a plant-based alternative, and it still works well, especially in the glaze.
Glaze Variations: Try swapping maple syrup for honey or adding a splash of bourbon to the glaze for adult game night treats.
Seasonal Twist: Stir in finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for a delightful crunch that feels perfect in fall.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Waffle Cookie Recipe with Maple Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Waffle Iron and Mix the Butter & Sugars

First things first: plug in your mini waffle iron to get it nice and warm while you prep the dough. In a large mixing bowl, I cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using my electric mixer. This step only takes a minute or two, but it’s crucial because it gives your cookies that lovely lightness and texture. Don’t rush this part—make sure the mixture is smooth and fluffy before moving on.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Now, crack in your egg (room temperature is best for smooth mixing) and pour in the vanilla extract. I stir until everything’s combined, scraping the bowl down to make sure no pockets of unmixed butter or sugar remain. This step readies your dough for the dry ingredients, ensuring an even bake.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. This is where you make sure your leaveners and salt are evenly distributed for perfect texture and flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. I like to do this in two or three batches, stirring gently each time. This avoids overmixing and keeps the dough tender. Once it’s all combined, the dough will feel soft but hold together nicely.

Step 5: Cook Your Cookies in the Waffle Iron

Here’s where the magic happens. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and form it into a ball. Then divide that ball into 3 or 4 smaller pieces and place those evenly spaced in the waffle iron. Be very careful because the iron is hot! I close the iron gently but firmly and cook each batch for about 90 seconds, or until the cookies are golden brown. When they’re done, I carefully tilt the waffle iron over a cooling rack to remove the cookies—using a fork usually breaks them, so I don’t recommend it.

Step 6: Make the Maple Glaze

While the cookies cool just a bit, whisk together the maple syrup and melted salted butter. Then add the powdered sugar gradually until the glaze is smooth and thick but pourable. If your glaze gets too thick at any point, I just zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds and stir—it’ll loosen right up. Once the cookies are cool enough, drizzle the glaze over the top or dip each cookie in for a richer coat.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Room Temperature Ingredients: I always let my butter and egg sit out for about 30 minutes before baking to ensure the dough mixes evenly and bakes perfectly.
Don’t Overfill: Only place smaller dough pieces inside the waffle iron so the cookies puff and crisp well without sticking or breaking.
Cooling is Key: Let the cookies cool slightly before glazing, or your glaze might melt and slide off. Patience pays off!
Choosing the Right Waffle Iron: Mini waffle irons work best—Belgian irons with deep pockets tend to make the cookies break when removing.

How to Serve Waffle Cookie Recipe with Maple Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a little extra flair with a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon on top of the glaze right after dipping. Sometimes a few flakes of sea salt on the glaze never hurt either—it really lifts the maple flavor beautifully.

Side Dishes

These waffle cookies are fantastic alongside a steaming cup of your favorite coffee or chai tea. For brunch, serve them with fresh fruit like sliced pears or apples, or even a bowl of Greek yogurt on the side for a delightful contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack these cookies on a wooden board with some small bowls of extra glaze and whipped cream for dipping. They also look adorable arranged in pastel cupcake liners, especially for a brunch or baby shower dessert table. Kids love dipping, so providing a little extra glaze on the side is always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once the maple glaze is completely dry, I store these waffle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for up to three days. If you’re making them ahead for a party, this is an easy and safe way to keep their crispness intact.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover plain cookies (without glaze) wrapped well in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe bag. They thaw beautifully at room temperature and then I add a fresh batch of glaze before serving—this way the glaze stays fresh and shiny!

Reheating

If you want to warm them up slightly, popping the cookies (without glaze) in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes works wonders to refresh their crispness. Add glaze after reheating for the best experience.

FAQs

Can I use a regular waffle iron instead of a mini one?

You can, but I recommend avoiding Belgian waffle irons with deep pockets because the cookies can be hard to remove without breaking. A mini waffle iron or one with shallower grids works best for even cooking and easy removal.
How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for a golden brown color and a firm feel on the edges. The cooking time is usually about 90 seconds per batch, but it can vary slightly depending on your waffle iron. If the cookies look pale, cook a bit longer, but be careful not to burn them.
Can I make the maple glaze ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the glaze up to a day ahead. Just give it a good stir before using, and if it thickened too much, microwave it for 10 seconds and stir until smooth again.
Is there a way to make these cookies gluten-free?

Substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum can work well. Just keep an eye on the consistency of the dough; you might need to adjust slightly with a bit more flour or cornstarch.
What’s the best way to store these cookies to keep them crisp?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature once the glaze has dried completely. Avoid refrigeration, as moisture can make them soggy. Adding a small piece of bread to the container can help absorb excess moisture to keep them crisp longer.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Waffle Cookie Recipe with Maple Glaze Recipe is one of those recipes I reach for whenever I want something that feels special but isn’t complicated. It’s a joy to make, a treat to eat, and sharing these with friends has always sparked wonderful conversations—and a few requests to share the recipe. Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find yourself making these waffle cookies again and again, especially when you want to impress with minimal effort. Enjoy the baking, and of course, the eating!