So I grew up on homemade maple syrup. I lived in Africa and our only option was to bring Mapleine with us and make it up ourselves. I'm pretty sure my mom just followed the recipe on the box, which essentially is just a simple syrup (1 part water, 1 part sugar) with the addition of a teaspoon or two of the imitation maple extract. It works but definitely leaves something to be desired--and its really thin and runny. Brian does NOT like it. But I stumbled on this maple syrup recipe over on this blog and we've actually really liked it. When first made its still a little runny, but the flavor is much better. I store mine in the fridge and if you use it cold, its actually really thick. Maple syrup DOES require maple extract, which is probably something you can't find locally in most places around the world! It doesn't take up much room in a bag or a package though! The only adaptations I've made to this recipe are to fast track it a bit and to cut back on the amount it makes--but if you have the fridge space and can store a lot, feel free to follow the original measurements!
Homemade Maple Syrup
2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup honey
1 cup water
1/2 tsp maple extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix together all the ingredients except the extracts in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cut back heat to low. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes (10 or 15 won't hurt, I just usually am ready to use it before then!). Remove from heat, stir in extracts, and serve! You can start this the same time you start your pancakes and have it ready about the same time! A longer simmer time WILL produce a slightly thicker syrup. Store in the fridge. Lasts for about a month before it starts to crystalize on the edges, but if you just heat it up that will melt back in!
Notes: I use Mapleine imitation maple extract. Its widely available in US grocery stores and isn't expensive. It also comes in plastic bottles, which are not going to break in transit! I'm sure a pure extract would product a better flavor, however.
Homemade Maple Syrup
2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup honey
1 cup water
1/2 tsp maple extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix together all the ingredients except the extracts in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cut back heat to low. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes (10 or 15 won't hurt, I just usually am ready to use it before then!). Remove from heat, stir in extracts, and serve! You can start this the same time you start your pancakes and have it ready about the same time! A longer simmer time WILL produce a slightly thicker syrup. Store in the fridge. Lasts for about a month before it starts to crystalize on the edges, but if you just heat it up that will melt back in!
Notes: I use Mapleine imitation maple extract. Its widely available in US grocery stores and isn't expensive. It also comes in plastic bottles, which are not going to break in transit! I'm sure a pure extract would product a better flavor, however.
perfect timing! I'm making pancakes for 8 people this morning and needed a better recipe than the 1 cup sugar 1 cup water recipe!! haha- it's really sweet, though. any way to make it less sweet but keep the thickness?
ReplyDeleteYou could try cutting back a bit on the sugar and boiling longer to reduce a bit, but you might also "candy" the syrup a little faster that way. Worth a try!
ReplyDeleteHi SB - I made this today for the girls and me. I didn't have honey (and I really don't like CH honey) and I didn't have maple extract. So, I just did the sugars, water and vanilla. I halved the recipe and let the sugar water mixture simmer for at least 10min. It turned out great! Pours just like maple syrup. I'll ask for maple extract in the next care package. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I really needed this recipe. Brought over mapeline but was really unhappy with the watery stuff. This works great--made it last week and it's almost gone!
ReplyDeleteSo glad this has been a good recipe. Someone else yesterday said they don't really like honey here either. There are SO many varieties its hard to find a good one. I've been buying the Great Value brand they sell at our Trust Mart down the road. It doesn't have too strong of a flavor. I also wonder if you couldn't substitute some homemade corn syrup for the honey--but that's another step of something to make! There is a recipe on here for it though!
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