Introduction to Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears
Juggling countless responsibilities, I’ve found that sweet treats often bring a little joy into my chaotic days. That’s why I adore these Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears. They’re not just any cookie; they combine a rich, nutty flavor with a hint of maple sweetness, making them feel like a warm hug. They’re perfect for sharing with loved ones, or sneaking a bite when you need a pick-me-up. Plus, they come together effortlessly, which is a blessing when time is tight. Let’s embark on this delightful baking adventure together!
Why You’ll Love This Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears
These Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears are not just adorable; they’re also incredibly easy to make! In less than three hours, you can whip up a batch that enchants everyone. The flavors of brown butter and maple syrup create a mouthwatering combination that’s both comforting and indulgent. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to get the kids involved in the kitchen, making lasting memories while baking together. What’s not to love?
Ingredients for Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter: This is the star ingredient, providing that rich, nutty flavor once browned.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and a distinct maple aroma, elevating the cookies to the next level.
- Dark brown sugar: Its molasses content enhances the cookie’s caramel-like depth, blending beautifully with the butter.
- Vanilla extract: A must-have for a warm, comforting flavor. Always opt for pure extract for the best results.
- Maple extract: Optional but highly recommended; it intensifies that sweet maple flavor we all adore.
- Ground cinnamon: This spice brings a warm, cozy aroma that complements the maple perfectly, echoing the comforts of home.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a dash adds warmth, creating a fragrant balance that rounds out the cookie’s flavor.
- Salt: A pinch is vital—it enhances sweetness and balances flavors, so don’t skip it!
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of your dough, giving it structure and texture.
Swapping for a gluten-free blend is possible for those with dietary needs. - Baking powder: This helps the cookies rise slightly, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Chocolate chips: Neither too much nor too little, these are optional but add a delightful touch when decorating your bears.
For the exact measurements, check the end of this article where you can easily print them out for easy reference. Gather these ingredients, and let’s get ready to create a sweet symphony in our kitchens!
How to Make Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears
Creating these delightful Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears is a joyful culinary adventure. Follow these simple steps, and soon you’ll have irresistible cookies ready to enchant your family and friends!
Step 1: Brown the Butter
First, grab a light-colored saucepan; it helps you monitor the butter’s color closely. Place half a cup of unsalted butter in the pan over medium heat. Swirl it often as it melts, watching for that nutty aroma to fill your kitchen. About 8 to 10 minutes later, you should see small brown bits sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once you achieve that golden brown, pour the butter into a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly for about five minutes. This step is key for developing flavor!
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
Now that the butter is cooled, it’s time to mix! Add in a quarter cup of pure maple syrup and two tablespoons of dark brown sugar. Stir well to combine everything together. Then, mix in the vanilla and maple extracts, along with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Each ingredient plays its part in enhancing the cookie’s flavor, so stir until everything is perfectly blended and smooth.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Once your dough comes together, it’s important to chill it. This step helps develop those delicious flavors and gives the cookies shape stability. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, then pop it into the fridge for at least two hours. Trust me, this time is worthwhile!
Step 4: Shape the Bears
With fluffy dough ready, it’s time to shape your bears! Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place it on the sheet and flatten it slightly. For the snouts, use a tiny scoop or your fingers to take a small piece and flatten it into a circle. For the ears, roll two tiny balls of dough and place them on top. It’s like crafting miniature masterpieces—adorable and fun!
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Once it’s heated, carefully place your baking sheet in. Bake the bear cookies until they’re slightly browned on the bottom, which usually takes about 20 to 23 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should look golden but not too dark. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack, where they’ll finish cooling. This step is where the magic happens!
Step 6: Decorate with Chocolate
Finally, let’s get creative with some chocolate! Place a handful of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat them for about a minute, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Now, pour that luscious chocolate into a piping bag (or a freezer bag with a corner snipped off). Pipe tiny eyes and noses on your bear cookies. Let them cool so that the chocolate sets completely. Your adorable Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears are now ready for everyone to enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Use a light-colored saucepan, so you can see the butter as it browns.
- Let the browned butter cool to avoid cooking the other ingredients.
- Chill the dough well; it helps maintain shape during baking.
- Experiment with different extracts for unique flavors.
- If you’re short on time, skip the shaping and make regular cookies instead!
Equipment Needed
- Light-colored saucepan: A must for browning butter. If unavailable, use a regular saucepan but watch closely.
- Mixing bowl: Any bowl will work, but glass or stainless steel makes it easier to see the dough’s consistency.
- Baking sheet: If you don’t have one, a large, flat oven-safe dish works too!
- Parchment paper: Line with foil if you’re out, just grease it well!
- Piping bag or freezer bag: Both are great for decorating; just snip the tip for easy chocolate application!
Variations
- Nut Butter Addition: Try incorporating almond or peanut butter into the dough for an extra layer of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a delicious alternative that everyone can enjoy.
- Flavorful Extracts: Experiment with hazelnut or coconut extract in place of or in addition to maple extract for a unique twist.
- Fancy Decorations: Top your cookies with royal icing or colored sprinkles for special occasions—think birthday parties or festive holidays!
- Chocolate-Dipped Bears: For an indulgent treat, dip the cooled cookies in melted chocolate instead of just piping it on. Yum!
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with Coffee: These cookies are delicious with a warm cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
- Milk Dipping: Encourage the kids to enjoy their bears with a cold glass of milk. It’s a classic combo!
- Present in Style: Arrange these cookies on a colorful platter to impress guests at gatherings or festive occasions.
- Gift Idea: Package them in a cute box tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
FAQs about Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears
How can I store Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears?
These adorable cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the freezer, where they can last up to three months. Just remember to let them cool completely before freezing!
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance. Just keep it chilled in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, shape and bake the bears as directed. This makes these cookies a great option for gatherings where you need to prep ahead!
What if I don’t have maple extract?
No problem! If you lack maple extract, you can simply use more vanilla extract for a lovely flavor. You might miss that intense maple punch, but the cookies will still be delicious. Your Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears will still taste delightful with that comforting vanilla essence!
Are there any dietary adaptations available?
Yes, indeed! If you or someone in your family follows a gluten-free diet, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Additionally, you can swap dark brown sugar for coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free option. These little adjustments make it accessible for everyone while maintaining that delightful taste!
What’s the best way to decorate my cookies?
Let your creativity shine! Pour melted chocolate into a piping bag to create eyes and noses, or get fun with colorful icing or sprinkles. You can even create little outfits or designs for your bears! The more fun you have decorating, the more everyone will enjoy them!
Final Thoughts
Baking these Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears has been such a joy-filled experience! Every step, from browning the butter to shaping the bears, brings a smile to my face. The delightful scent wafting through my kitchen is simply magical, reminding me that delicious moments can be created with just a few ingredients and a sprinkle of love. I hope you find as much joy in making these cookies as I have, whether it’s for a cozy family day, a potluck, or a sweet surprise for friends. These adorable bears are sure to warm hearts and spread smiles!
Print
Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 43 minutes
- Yield: approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Brown Butter Maple Shortbread Bears are a delightful treat, featuring a rich, nutty flavor from brown butter and a hint of maple sweetness, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips, or as needed
Instructions
- Place butter into a small light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling often, until small brown bits begin to stick to the bottom of the pan and the butter smells nutty, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour butter into a mixing bowl and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Add maple syrup and brown sugar to butter and stir to combine. Mix in vanilla extract, maple extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined.
- Add in flour and baking powder and mix until a smooth dough forms. Cover and place into the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from the fridge. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball; place onto the cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Scoop out 1/4 teaspoon of dough and roll into a small ball, then flatten into a circle to form the snout of the bear. Scoop out two 1/8 teaspoons of dough and roll into tiny balls; place on each side of the top of the cookie to make the ears. Continue rolling out and forming bear shapes until dough is used up. Space cookies about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Chill baking sheet in the fridge for 20 minutes to allow cookies to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 165°C (325°F). Remove the baking sheet from the fridge and place into the oven. Bake until cookies are slightly browned on the bottom, 20 to 23 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Place chocolate chips into a small microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup and heat until melted, about 1 minute, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. Pour melted chocolate into a piping bag or a freezer bag and snip a small hole in one corner. Pipe eyes and noses onto the cookies. Allow the chocolate to harden before serving.
Notes
- For a different flavor, try using different extracts such as almond or hazelnut.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
