Sappy, sweet goodness. Maple syrup. Our store from last spring's maple sap harvest is almost gone. Prismatic maple sugar crystals and a few bronze drips left, to pour over our fluffy whole wheat buttermilk pancakes, swirl in our dark cherry oatmeal or bake in our goods.
Nature has begun to drip. The earth is warming as we near early spring. The sap in the Sugar Maple trees is flowing again. We'll collect more of this sweet, clear liquid we cook down to golden amber. Sweet deliciousness from Sugar Maple trees that turn so fire crimson red in the autumn and drip so sweet in the spring.
While making these maple recipes with children, it's fun and interesting to talk about where maple syrup comes from and how it is harvested. Try this maple caramel corn, sweetened only with pure maple syrup. A tasty and healthy snack recipe from my mother at whiteleycreek. Or whip up our simply sweet recipes for cinnamon maple butter and maple whipped cream.
pure maple caramel corn
1 tbsp oil
1/3 cup uncooked popcorn kernels
3 tbsp unsalted butter, plus additional for greasing bowl
1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans or other nuts, optional
¾ cup pure maple syrup
¼ tsp salt
Grease a large mixing bowl with butter. Set aside. Pop the corn using 1 tbsp oil. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the maple syrup and salt. Boil on medium until syrup reaches 250° on a candy thermometer. About 15 minutes. Do not stir or the syrup will crystallize and turn sugary. Pour syrup over popcorn and nuts. Stir with a wooden spoon coated in oil to prevent sticking. whiteleycreek.com
maple whipped cream
Beat cold heavy whipping cream in a chilled bowl. When almost finished whipping, sweeten with maple syrup to taste. Start with 1 tablespoon per cup, for a lightly sweetened cream. Add more if desired. Using Grade B syrup, which has a darker color, will add a more robust maple flavor. Pretty and delicious on fresh strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or blueberries—our kids love this healthy treat. Serve on our fluffy whole wheat buttermilk pancakes, waffles, french toast, strawberry shortcake and other desserts.
simple cinnamon maple butter
Mix 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup, preferably Grade B syrup, and a generous sprinkling of cinnamon with a mixer until blended. Spread on our fluffy whole wheat buttermilk pancakes, warm toast, just-out-of-the-oven muffins, or soft baked sweet potatoes.
Want to see how we made our own maple syrup? See our posts maple sugaring! step 1: how we tap our maple trees and maple sugaring! step 2: how we make maple syrup. We also have three free maple sugaring printables that show the fun process of making maple syrup! ©heather cahoon • wordplayhouse®
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