Ever wondered if there are other ways to enjoy the delicious taste of maple syrup besides just on pancakes and waffles?
You might be surprised to find out that maple syrup is more versatile than you thought.
From cookies to cocktails and even household items, this article will show you how to enjoy the rich, sweet flavor of maple syrup in a variety of ways.
Keep reading to find out the top 10 maple syrup uses.
Top 10 Maple Syrup Uses
There’s more to maple syrup than just the health benefits and being a natural sweetener. These unique maple products are hailed as some of the best ways to use the irresistible sap of the maple tree.
1. Maple Cream Candy
Ever wonder what that mouth-watering, sickly-sweet smell is when you walk into an old candy shop? That’s most likely maple cream candy.
This sweet treat is made from 100 percent pure maple syrup. The syrup is what gives the candies such a rich, authentic maple flavor, and it’s what keeps us coming back again and again.
This all-natural delicacy is enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and what’s more, the recipe is simple enough so you can even make it at home!
2. Maple Sugar
Made from the crystallization of maple syrup, maple sugar is an old-fashioned sweetener that can be used in a bunch of different recipes.
You can use maple sugar to make richly-flavored deserts like maple brownies, créme Brulee, and sugar candy. You can also stir it into your morning cup of coffee or sprinkle it over bacon as it bakes.
Whichever way you choose to enjoy maple sugar, it’s sure to bring that warm, sweet flavor to any palate. That’s because 100 percent pure maple syrup is used to make maple sugar.
To get some of your own high quality, unprocessed natural maple sugar, order from Mohawk Valley Trading Company and get the sweet stuff delivered straight to your door.
3. Maple Butter
Bored of your regular, everyday butter?
Looking for something with a little more flavor and sweetness?
Maple butter is the delicious marriage of butter and maple sugar. Replace your boring spread with maple butter and upgrade your breakfast game.
You can cook with maple butter to add some extra flavor or even spread it on warm toast or biscuits. Be careful, though, you might not ever want to switch back.
4. Maple Cookies
Bring a Canadian classic into your home by baking an aromatic batch of maple cookies.
You can often recognize the delicious maple cookie by its maple leaf shape, but its rich and buttery fragrance is what gives it away.
Families have been enjoying these addictive little treats for hundreds of years, and with just a few ingredients, your family can enjoy them, too.
Check out this simple cookie recipe using maple syrup. Craving even more maple taste? Decorate the cookies with maple frosting when they’re cool.
5. Hot Maple Toddy
There’s no better way to warm up on a chilly evening than with a hot toddy.
You already know about the classic hot water, whiskey, and lemon cocktail, but have you heard of the hot maple toddy?
Simply replace the honey you’d originally add to the drink with maple syrup and voila! As the maple syrup mixes in, it will add a smoother, richer flavor to the toddy.
6. Maple Savories
Maple syrup can be used to enhance the flavor of more savory dishes, too!
Drizzle or glaze meats or vegetables with maple syrup to heighten your taste bud experience and achieve a richer and sweeter flavor. You can even make some of your favorite sauces from maple syrup.
Don’t know where to start? Here are a few meals that benefit from adding maple syrup:
- Glazed salmon
- Baked sweet potatoes
- Baked ham
- Barbecue sauce
- Toasted baguette
7. Maple Bars
Maple bars are donut shop staples, and you’ve probably eaten one or two.
If not, you can recognize the maple bar by its oblong shape and its maple icing or glaze. This doughy delight encompasses the sugary sweetness of pure maple syrup.
Next time you’re craving donuts, add a maple bar to your dozen and indulge in that mouth-watering maple flavor!
8. Maple Cocktails
A hot maple toddy isn’t the only way to add a splash of maple flavor into your drink! In fact, many cocktails taste better when maple syrup is added.
Mulled wine and hot ciders are just that more heavenly with maple syrup, and, of course, the Maple Old Fashioned is only right when you use 100 percent pure maple syrup.
Here are a few more maple cocktails that might inspire you to reach for the syrup next time you’re celebrating life:
- Hot butternut rum
- Applejack rabbit
- Buttermilk maple gin flip
- Filibuster
Is it more of a beer-only night? Some craft brewers offer maple beer for your tasting pleasure.
9. Maple Taffy
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then using maple syrup to make taffy might become your new favorite hobby!
You can enjoy the sap of the maple tree by boiling it and then pouring it in lines over crushed ice or snow.
Once the sap has cooled, roll it into sticks and then you’ve got maple taffy! It’s a delicious, chewy sugar candy that’s a traditional Canadian treat that’s been around for hundreds of years.
10. Maple Soap
Maple syrup doesn’t have to be limited to the kitchen, either. You can clean yourself with it!
If you adore the sweet scent of maple, then you should make your own maple syrup soap.
Adding a small amount of real maple syrup to a soap base will naturally scent it with that delicious fragrance. What could be better than smelling sweet after a hot shower?
The Sweet Life
As you can see, maple syrup doesn’t just belong at the breakfast table.
Try some of these maple syrup uses on your own and let the whole family get a taste of the sweet life!
Did you enjoy reading this article? If so, check out some of our other posts about all things food and culinary!