½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Mix in the maple syrup and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in any nuts if using.
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form dough balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spaced a couple of inches apart.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain soft.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
