Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate and Holly Berrie Decorations Recipe

If you’ve been hunting for that perfect festive treat to wow your family or friends, I’m about to share a real winner with you. The Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate and Holly Berrie Decorations Recipe is absolutely one of my favorites for the holidays – and honestly, any time of year. These cookies boast a tender, chewy texture packed with warm maple and cinnamon flavors, then get an extra-special touch with a white chocolate dip and those adorable holly berrie sprinkles. Stick around, because I’m spilling all the secrets to nailing this recipe with ease!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind these chewy maple cinnamon cookies truly comes from simple yet flavorful ingredients that harmonize beautifully together. I recommend using quality maple syrup and cinnamon for the best flavor punch, and be sure to pick white chocolate melting wafers for smooth dipping and decoration.

• Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookie Dough: I use a tried-and-true base from Cooking with Carlee—its balance of maple and spice is spot-on every time.
• White Chocolate Melting Wafers: These make dipping easier than chopping a regular bar chocolate, plus they set beautifully without bloom.
• Holly Berry Sprinkles: They add that classic festive pop of color and a fun texture contrast I just love.
• Food Scale: Trust me, this tool makes portioning cookies like a pro, so they bake evenly and look consistent on your serving tray.
• Light Colored Baking Sheets: Dark pans can lead to burnt bottoms, but these keep your cookie’s bottoms perfectly golden brown.

Variations

One of the things I really appreciate about this Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate and Holly Berrie Decorations Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or dietary needs. Play around with these variations to make it your own.

• Nut-Free Version: I used to worry about cross-contact with nuts but just leaving them out completely doesn’t change the texture or flavor much at all.
• Vegan Adaptation: Subbing the butter for plant-based margarine and using a flax egg keeps it chewy and swap the white chocolate for vegan-friendly melting wafers.
• Add Some Crunch: Sometimes I stir in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture—my family goes crazy for this addition.
• Spice it Up: If you want a little extra warmth, a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves really complements the maple and cinnamon.

How to Make Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate and Holly Berrie Decorations Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Chill the Dough

Start by preparing the maple cinnamon cookie dough as directed in Cooking with Carlee’s recipe. Once your dough is ready, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This chilled step is crucial—it helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and deepens those lovely maple and cinnamon flavors. When I first tried skipping this, my cookies spread too much and lost their chewy charm, so trust me on this one!

Step 2: Portion the Dough Balls

Here’s a tip I discovered: use a food scale to portion your dough into 1.5 oz balls. It might seem a bit precise, but it guarantees every cookie comes out uniform in size—perfect baking all around and a professional look on your holiday platter. I love the consistency this adds and how much easier it is to control baking time.

Step 3: Bake and Cool Completely

Bake the cookies on light colored baking sheets—this prevents the bottoms from burning. Bake just until the centers puff up and crack slightly, and the edges spring back when you gently press them. Overbaking is the easiest way to lose that irresistible chew, so stay attentive here. Once baked, allow the cookies to cool fully before decorating. Cooling ensures your melted chocolate will set perfectly without melting off.

Step 4: Melt and Dip in White Chocolate

Gently melt your white chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, heating at half power and stirring frequently. I like to use Ghirardelli melting wafers because they melt smoothly and keep a lovely shine once set. Dip half of each cooled cookie into the chocolate, then place it on parchment or wax paper to dry. This half-dip gives you a striking contrast of flavors and makes the holly berry decorations pop.

Step 5: Drizzle and Decorate with Holly Berries

Once the initial dipping sets, put some melted white chocolate into a piping bag or ziplock bag with a tiny cut corner and drizzle over the dipped side for a delicate effect. This extra drizzle adds texture and decadence. Before it hardens, quickly sprinkle the holly berry decorations at a corner for that festive finishing touch. It instantly elevates these cookies from everyday to “wow, did you make these?”

How to Serve Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate and Holly Berrie Decorations Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it classic with these cookies: the holly berry sprinkles add festive color and a fun crunch, but you could also add edible gold dust for a shimmering touch or crushed candy canes for some peppermint flair. I love how small changes here can really brighten up presentation depending on the occasion.

Side Dishes

These cookies’re a hit alongside a warm cup of spiced chai or a mug of rich hot chocolate—especially when you want cozy vibes. For a party, I like pairing them with a cheese board featuring mild cheeses and fresh fruits that contrast the sweet, chewy cookies.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve made these for holiday gatherings, I like to stack them on tiered cake stands decorated with pine sprigs and fairy lights. You could also package them in pretty boxes tied with rustic twine as edible gifts your friends will adore. Doing the drizzle last minute keeps the look fresh and tempting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for about 4 days. If you notice them losing some freshness, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave brings back that tender texture like magic.

Freezing

I often freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls individually on a sheet, then transfer them into a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple minutes to the bake time. The finished decorated cookies freeze well too if you keep them in layers separated by wax paper.

Reheating

To revive the cookies from frozen or refrigerated, I let them come to room temperature and warm briefly in the microwave (5-10 seconds). This keeps that wonderful chewiness alive without melting the decorations.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate and Holly Berrie Decorations Recipe has won over my family and friends every single holiday season, and honestly, I find myself baking it just because I love that perfect chew and festive look. If you try it, you’ll see how easy it is to bring a bakery-level treat into your own kitchen with just a bit of attention to detail and a sprinkle of holiday spirit. I’m betting these will become a go-to cookie for you too – so have fun, experiment, and enjoy every bite!

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