With summer out of the way, entertaining is all the more enjoyable out in the crisp autumn weather, particularly when topped off with a sweet afternoon dessert.

While it’s true that a sweet indulgence only spends a moment on the lips, now that we’re adding an extra layer of clothing or two—warm knits, jackets, and cardies—who cares if it makes its way to our hips!

For your next autumn gathering with friends, try these leaf-shaped cookies with maple syrup.

Ingredients:

Cookies –

1 ½ cups softened butter
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Frosting –
1 ¼ cups confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-4 tablespoons maple syrup
red and yellow food colouring

Method:

Cookies –

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Roll dough thinly on a floured surface and cut into leaf shapes—Google a template or try and draw your own.

Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 6-8 minutes.

Frosting –

While the cookies are baking, prepare the frosting by combining the confectioners sugar with the vanilla extract in a medium bowl.

Whisk in the maple syrup, little at a time until the mixture reaches a spreadable consistency.

Divide the frosting among three small bowls and stir into each bowl 1-2 drops of food colouring, using a different colour for each bowl.

Once the cookies have cooled, spread the frosting on the cookies and allow the frosting to set.

Enjoy!