Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a medium mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Take a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened unsalted butter, packed light brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or a wooden spoon. Mix until the texture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Add in the large egg, pure vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup to the creamed mixture. Beat these ingredients together until they are fully blended and smooth.
Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Gently stir until just combined to avoid overmixing. If you’re adding some extra texture, fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts and mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie for spreading.
Lightly press down on each dough ball with the back of a spoon to flatten them slightly into cookie shapes.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, keeping an eye on them until the edges turn a light golden brown and the centers remain soft and chewy.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which will help maintain their chewy texture.
Notes
Serve the cookies elegantly stacked on a decorative plate. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup for added sweetness and visual appeal.