As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, it’s time to cozy up with a Fall inspired treat. Vegan and Gluten-Free Maple Pecan Cookies are studded with pecans and topped with a maple glaze. A perfect cookie to make this Autumn season!
These maple pecan cookies are full of flavor with a thick and chewy texture.
They’re super easy to make, require no chilling so you can bake and enjoy these cookies right away!
You are going to love them!
Tips for making maple pecan cookies
These cookies are baking beginner friendly, I wanted to share a few tips and tricks to ensure your cookies are the absolute best!
- Toast the pecans – Giving your pecans a quick toast in a frying pan with help to bring out the natural oils and flavors. For maximum flavor, don’t skip this step!
- Measure your flour properly – I don’t weigh my flour unless the recipe I’m following specifically calls for it. Otherwise, there’s a great method for making sure you don’t scoop too much flour into your cookies–Spoon and Level. To spoon and level the flour, you’ll start by fluffing the flour a little with a spoon so it’s not as compact. Then you’ll spoon the flour into the measuring cup. You want to fill the measuring cup all the way to the top and let the flour flow over a little. Next, you’ll use the back of a knife to level the top off.
- Ingredient temperatures – It’s important to start with room temperature ingredients. For the vegan butter and the sugars to properly cream together, the butter needs to at room temperature.
- Sifting powdered sugar – For a smooth and lump-free frosting, sift the powdered sugar using a fine mesh strainer or sifter before adding it to the recipe.
Commonly asked questions
These cookies are made using toasted pecans, organic cane sugars, ground spices and real maple syrup.
Yes! These cookies are made entirely gluten free and vegan using 1:1 gluten free baking flour and vegan butter (margarine). If you are not gluten free, you can make these cookies using all purpose flour.
While there’s maple syrup in the frosting, for the cookie base, maple syrup instead of cane sugars will not work as a substitute in this recipe.
For more cookie recipes check out
- Small Batch Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
- Vegan Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
- The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar
- Vegan Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies
Maple Pecan Cookies
Equipment
- Mixer
- baking sheet
- cookie cutters
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ½ cup organic cane sugar
- ¼ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten-free baking flour 1:1 or all-purpose flour if not gluten-free
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 3-5 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ½ cup crushed pecans toasted
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup organic powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp maple extract optional
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl or stand alone mixer cream together the vegan butter, organic cane sugar, and organic brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free baking flour (or all-purpose flour if not gluten-free), baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a crumbly cookie dough forms. While mixing on a low speed, add in the almond milk until a soft cookie dough forms. Fold in the crushed toasted pecans.
- Dust a clean surface with flour and use a rolling pin to roll out the dough until it's roughly ⅛" in thickness. Use your favorite cookies cutters to make shapes. Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the baking sheet leaving 2" between the cookies.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they start to turn golden brown around the edges.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the maple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted organic powdered sugar, maple syrup, maple extract, almond milk, and a pinch of salt until you achieve a smooth and pourable consistency.
- Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle or dip the cookies in the maple glaze. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes.
- Serve your Maple Pecan Cookies with a steaming cup of your favorite beverage. Share the flavors of the season with friends and family, or savor them slowly, embracing the warmth of fall with each bite.
