What should I bake using maple syrup?

January 4, 2007 9:01 AM

I recently found myself in possession of a bottle of high-quality grade B maple syrup. I'd like to bake something special with it, and since the hive mind has given me good recipes in the past, figured I'd start here! What great recipes do you have that use maple syrup?

I've made plenty of frostings with maple syrup, but haven't used it as a primary flavor in cakes or other desserts before. This bottle smells so good that I really want to make something maple-y! Any and all suggestions are welcome.

posted by leesh to food & drink (24 comments total)

It's not baked, but it does use maple syrup, and it's one of my two favorite cranberry sauces. It's sweet and spicy and really tasty.

Cranberry-Chipotle Conserve
posted by leahwrenn at 9:10 AM on January 4, 2007

The Maple-Walnut Pie from the Moosewood Cookbook is pretty incredible. I don't have a copy to compare it with, but this transcription looks accurate.
posted by nonane at 9:17 AM on January 4, 2007

pork + drizzled syrup + toasted crushed pecans == yummy

Creme Caramel with Syrup replacing the Caramel part is also good.

My father makes heavenly Maple Pizzelles, but I think he uses Maple extract rather than the syrup itself but you could experiment.
posted by mmascolino at 9:18 AM on January 4, 2007

Maple Syrup candy. Mmmmmmm.
posted by Sassyfras at 9:31 AM on January 4, 2007

some of these look really good. Especially the maple bars. I bet they might even travel well by mail (smile).
posted by pinky at 9:35 AM on January 4, 2007

A maple version of sugar pie: Maple Syrup Pie. That is some good dessert.
posted by GuyZero at 9:42 AM on January 4, 2007

My favorite maple syrup recipe is a main dish, actually, not a baked good. Chicken Breasts in Maple Syrup; I have the recipe in French but this is the same one. (Except mine lists the onions and then never mentions them again - you can leave them out and it's fine. I also omit the savory, because it's savory and no one uses it.)
posted by cobaltnine at 9:46 AM on January 4, 2007

Do you like corned beef? I used to have a recipe that made a maple-bourbon glaze over corned beef. If you are interested, I'll see if I can dig it up.
posted by mikepop at 9:50 AM on January 4, 2007

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I'm actually a vegetarian, which is why I had initially asked for dessert recipes (also, I love dessert), but I really do appreciate all the answers.
posted by leesh at 9:52 AM on January 4, 2007

If you drink, I recently had a really good cocktail made with Jack Daniels, apple brandy, and maple syrup.

Otherwise, a french toast casserole (they have a bunch of recipes on allrecipes.com) is always excellent.
posted by rmless at 9:55 AM on January 4, 2007

I've made this maple cake a number of times now and everyone has been very enthusiastic about it. I omit the nuts and put in a couple of peeled, chopped apples.
posted by orange swan at 9:58 AM on January 4, 2007

This cake, I meant, not an abstract one.
posted by orange swan at 9:59 AM on January 4, 2007

What's grade B maple syrup? may contain bits of leaves, less than 0.5% chipmunk droppings?

We have used maple syrup on planked salmon, and some other dishes, but by far the best use is to just drizzle it over homemade pancakes or waffles.
posted by Artful Codger at 9:59 AM on January 4, 2007

Grade B syrup is darker and richer than the usual kind at the grocery store.
posted by leesh at 10:01 AM on January 4, 2007

I've used it in beer recipes (ie, brewing beer, not recipes that use beer as an ingredient).

It works nicely as a brown sugar substitute in Bananas Foster.

Kick ass Maple Walnut ice cream.

There's a fair amount of local maple syrup producers in my area, and pretty as the Grade A amber and light syrups are, we avoid those and go for the Grade B just for the flavor.
posted by plinth at 10:09 AM on January 4, 2007

I have two recipes that I like that use syrup and Grade B only makes them better.

- Oh Good Gracious Banana Bread
- I'm No Sucker Granola
posted by jessamyn at 10:30 AM on January 4, 2007

I love dessert too, and since you kind of opened it up in your comment, I have enjoyed maple syrup added to soy sauce or teriyaki sauce, using it to braise tofu or creating a maple-based BBQ sauce that is wonderful over grilled skewers of veggies.

Baked beans (about 1/2 cup maple syrup per 2 cups of beans) with your choice of spices added in (I like pepper and onion) are yummy.

Another baked good, cornbread, can be made with maple syrup instead.
posted by PY at 10:58 AM on January 4, 2007

Not baking-related, but this salad is fantastic: Apple, Dried Cherry, and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing.

It's particularly good when topped with crumbled goat cheese.
posted by Diggins at 12:24 PM on January 4, 2007

Pie.
posted by kmennie at 12:40 PM on January 4, 2007

Oh, don't waste good maple syrup on baking, or not all of it, anyway.

Pancakes and waffles are fantastic, of course, but if you want to taste something that is ridiculously simple, and yet one of the single most thrilling flavour combinations I have ever tasted:

Bananas. Sliced into disks. Liberally drizzled with maple syrup.

French vanilla ice cream is optional.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 1:26 PM on January 4, 2007

New Year's Guacamole

Ingredients

* 2 Tbsp chipotle sauce or chipotle salsa
* 4 Tbsp pure maple syrup
* 6 large ripe Hass Avocados, peeled, seeded, cut in chunks
* ¼ Cup fresh orange or tangerine juice
* 2 fresh red chili peppers, seeded and diced
* 1 Cup pomegranate seeds
* ¼ Cup chopped cilantro leaves
* Salt to taste
* Additional pomegranate seeds, for garnish
* White corn tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

1. In small bowl, whisk chipotle sauce and maple syrup together until creamy.
2. In large bowl, mash avocado with juice.
3. Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle with additional pomegranate seeds for garnish.
4. Serve with white corn tortilla chips
posted by seymour.skinner at 5:49 PM on January 4, 2007

This cake, I meant, not an abstract one.

Oh, that's a delicious recipie. I used that exact one for cupcakes and they turned out lovely.


Also, there's pecan pie. :D IIRC you can vary the proportions of corn syrup and maple syrup. (Here's a slightly different recipe, with no corn syrup and only maple syrup.)
posted by sleeplessunderwater at 6:24 PM on January 4, 2007

If you're looking for a dessert with maple as the primary flavor, you can't go wrong with maple fudge. Seriously.
posted by flod logic at 6:31 PM on January 4, 2007

maple flan... mmmm.... I bet there are some recipes online. My recipe book is at home and I am at work.
posted by nimsey lou at 5:45 AM on January 5, 2007