These soft sugar cookies are made with goat cheese for a uniquely tangy flavor, sweetened with maple syrup, and studded with crunchy pecans.
Goat Cheese in Cookies?
If adding goat cheese to cookies sounds unusual, consider how cream cheese brightens classics like baked ziti, red velvet cookies, or cheesecake. That same tangy, creamy note translates beautifully into a sugar cookie, giving it depth and a subtle sharpness that balances the sweetness.
Think of this as applying cheesecake-style tang to a sugar cookie — extra creamy, full of flavor, and pleasantly different. If you’re open to trying something new, these cookies are worth it.
Are you on board? Try them and I think you’ll be surprised how addictive they are.
These maple pecan goat cheese cookies stand out from typical sugar cookies. The combination of maple and pecan is uncommon in a basic sugar cookie, and the goat cheese adds a creamy, tangy flavor that’s hard to pinpoint but keeps you reaching for another bite.
Why You’ll Love These Goat Cheese Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies come in many forms: rolled cut-outs or drop-style cookies with tender crumbs and classic vanilla flavor. These fall into the drop-style category, but with an elevated, grown-up flavor profile thanks to goat cheese, maple, and pecans.
On this site these are among the softest, chewiest cookies — rivals to other soft classics. They have a light, cloud-like texture and a subtle complexity that sets them apart.
These feel like a sophisticated, slightly unexpected sugar cookie that’s sure to impress wherever you bring them.
With maple syrup for warmth and chopped pecans for crunch, these cookies aren’t overly sweet, making them an excellent choice for a dessert spread, cookie swap, or holiday tray. They tend to disappear quickly and often prompt requests for the recipe.
I’m confident these will become a new favorite.
Ingredients You Will Need
The ingredient list is straightforward. See the substitutions section below if you want to swap the type of goat cheese or other components.
For these goat cheese sugar cookies, you will need:
• all-purpose flour
• baking soda
• baking powder
• salt
• unsalted butter
• granulated sugar
• goat cheese
• pure maple syrup
• egg yolk
• vanilla extract
• pecans
How to Make Goat Cheese Cookies
This is a no-chill cookie recipe, so there’s no waiting for dough to rest. Make sure ingredients are at room temperature so the dough comes together smoothly.
Step 1
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
Step 2
Cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the goat cheese and beat until fully combined, scraping the bowl as needed. Mix in the maple syrup, egg yolk, and vanilla until incorporated.
Step 3
Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms, then fold in the chopped pecans with a spatula.
Step 4
Use a cookie scoop to form dough into balls and place on a prepared baking sheet. Bake until just set and the tops show tiny cracks; they will puff in the oven and settle as they cool. Let cookies cool briefly on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Substitutions and Variations
Goat Cheese: I’ve used both flavored and plain fresh goat cheeses in this recipe. Maple-pecan goat cheese is a delicious choice when available, but plain fresh goat cheese works just as well. If you prefer not to use goat cheese, cream cheese can be substituted.
Nuts: Pecans add crunch and complement the maple, but they’re optional. Swap in walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or omit nuts entirely if desired.
Maple Syrup: If you don’t want to use maple syrup, honey can be used as a one-to-one substitute for a different but pleasant sweet note.
This recipe makes an easy yet impressive cookie that elevates a cookie tray with bold maple notes, classic sugar cookie texture, and a special tang from goat cheese.
Goat Cheese Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 ounces (57g) goat cheese, softened
- 2 Tablespoons (30mL) pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (30g) finely chopped pecans (optional)
Need to keep track of your ingredients?Check out my Printable Ingredient List!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add the goat cheese and beat until combined. Mix in the maple syrup, egg yolk, and vanilla until incorporated.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms, then fold in the chopped pecans.
- Use a cookie scoop to portion dough into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake 10–11 minutes, until cookies are just set and slightly cracked on top. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week. Baked cookies can be frozen up to 3 months; shaped dough balls can be frozen up to 2 months and baked from frozen with an extra 1–2 minutes of baking time.
Notes
- Goat cheese: Maple-pecan or flavored goat cheeses are great when available, but plain fresh goat cheese also works well.
- Pecans: Optional for texture; substitute with walnuts, almonds, or pistachios if preferred.
Inspired by Love & Olive Oil.
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided as a courtesy. Changing ingredients or quantities will alter the estimates.
Calories: 102 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 15 g |
Protein: 2 g |
Fat: 4 g