I just realized THIS is my 200th recipe on Floating Kitchen! That’s a lot of eating and a lot of dishes. And what better way to celebrate my dishpan hands than with Maple Cream.
You all know by now that maple syrup is near and dear to my heart. Like most New Englanders, I take the whole issue of maple syrup very seriously. And when I die, you’ll have to pry that cute leaf shaped bottle from my cold, stiff hands. Real talk.
One of the most downright decadent and delicious things you can do with maple syrup is turn it into Maple Cream. Never had Maple Cream before? Then you are missing out. Maple Cream is maple syrup that has been coaxed (or if we are being more scientific, the sugars become crystallized) into a thick, spreadable cream. You can use it however you would use maple syrup. In fact, I beg you to slather some on top of your pancakes or waffles. But you can also use it for so many other things. I like to dip sliced apples or pears in it. It’s great on toast with peanut butter. Or spread it between two cookies for some homemade cookie sandwiches (it’s particularly wonderful with these Maple Ginger Snaps).
Oh and don’t forget about my most favorite way to enjoy it: straight from the spoon!
Feeling generous? Give this as a gift to the maple syrup lover in your life. The Holidays are a creeping in people.
I love me some Grade B maple syrup. Despite it’s label, I find the taste far superior to Grade A. BUT, for this recipe I recommend using Grade A. Some internet searching hinted that the process doesn’t always work with Grade B (differences in the sugar content or density maybe?). So this is probably the only time I’m ever going to say this: get yourself some Grade A for this recipe.
America’s Test Kitchen has a great tutorial with step-by-step photos of the whole process. I highly recommend reading through it before you start. And there are some great tips buried in the comments thread as well. Another tip: make sure your thermometer is accurate. You don’t want to overcook this stuff!
Oh and fair warning: your arm will get tired from all the stirring. But the little extra work out is worth it for this special treat!
Cheers,
Liz
Ingredients
- For the Maple Cream
- 3 cups Grade A maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- Other
- Several cups of ice
- Instant read thermometer
Instructions
- Fill a large bowl with ice and about 1 cup of water. Nestle a clean saucepan inside the ice bath to start it cooling. Set aside.
- Add the maple syrup and the olive oil to a large saucepan. It will bubble and rise fairly significantly as it boils, so make sure to choose a pan that is at least double the volume of the liquid to prevent boiling over.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and boil, without stirring, until it reaches 235 degrees Fahrenheit. Immediately remove the pan from the heat. It’s important not to over heat the maple syrup, or you’ll end up with a hard maple candy and not a maple cream.
- Carefully pour the hot maple syrup into the saucepan in the ice bath. Let it cool until it reaches approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the saucepan from the water bath. Start stirring the cooled maple syrup with a wooden spoon. The layer at the bottom of the pan will be slightly harder (because it was closest to the ice), but as you stir it will become softer and the whole mixture will take on a more even texture.
- Stir the maple syrup for 10-15 minutes. You don’t have to stir it quickly, but do keep up a consistent and steady pace. As you stir, the maple syrup will lighten in color and start to loose it’s shine. The Maple Cream is done when it’s the thickness of natural peanut butter and the color of tahini paste (the color can vary slightly depending on the color of the maple syrup that you started with; i.e. a dark amber will produce a darker final product).
- Once it reaches this point, you want to quickly transfer it to containers for storage. Over stirring can result in the final cream being too stiff.
- Maple Cream can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 6 months. It’s normal for the Maple Cream to be a bit firm straight from the refrigerator. You can stir it (like you would with natural peanut butter) to loosen it up or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds. And it will also just naturally loosen up over time, so if it seems too stiff the first week or two, don’t panic!
Congraaaaaats #200! Yaaaaaay! As a fellow New Englander, this post pulls at my heartstrings. I can remember many-a-time when my sister and I would sit in front of a big bag of maple sugar candies and eat our hearts out. This would be perfect on a big stack of buttermilk pancakes. <3
YES! Maple Syrup is just the best. The stuff runs through my veins!!
Woop woop! Huge congrats on your 200th post!! And what a way to celebrate…with maple cream all over your food stuffs! Can you believe I’ve never heard of maple cream?!!! I’m OBSESSED with pure maple syrup, so this is definitely a recipe I’m putting on my to-do list. I want to shmeeeear it all over pumpkin bread/spoon-feed it to myself. Beautiful!
Thanks, Julia! It’s so good on basically EVERYTHING. I want to eat it all day long! I hope you try it out!
This recipe is calling my name!!!
Thanks, Marla. I know you love your maple syrup too, so you would certainly be head over heals with this recipe!
Happy 200th post, Liz!! I guess it goes without saying that maple syrup is near and dear to this Canadian’s heart, too, so I love, love this! I’ve never been brave enough to attempt this, but I’m off to watch that tutorial to find some confidence.
Thanks, Jennifer! It’s really not hard. It just takes a bit of arm strength! You can do it!
Yay for your 200th post! I’ve never had maple cream before, but this definitely looks like something I would slather all over my toast!!
Thanks, Lisa! It’s awesome on toast! You would love it!
Congrats on #200! It goes fast, doesn’t it? I’ve never had maple cream, but I can tell by the looks of it that I’d love it! Anything maple syrup, and I’m all over it. 🙂
It certainly does go fast! It’s almost hard to believe that I’ve made that many things. Not to mention all the things I’ve cooked that haven’t made it to the blog!
This looks amazing! I’ve never heard of maple cream before but you’ve totally sold me on it. What a great gift!
Thanks, Allie! Anybody would certainly be happy to get this as a gift!
What a great idea. I’ve never made maple cream before. And like you say, the season of giving is almost upon us and so making things like this to give to others is such a good idea xx
Yes, this is the perfect gift. And it last 6 months so you can start you DIY gift making early! Thanks for stopping by!
I have never even heard of maple cream until today. Oh my, I’m going to need to get my hands on some. Total yum!
You would love it, Jennie. It’s so good! I’ve had a lot of people say they have never heard of it before. I guess it must be a New England thing. Glad I can spread the word!
I am so in love with this! I have never even thought of making maple into a spread! I bet this is amazing on fresh bread!
Soooo good with warm, fresh bread! Mmmm…just thinking about that is making me hungry!
Congrats on the 200th! I recently hit that milestone as well and I was like, “Really?” It felt like forever getting to 100 – and then 200 just snuck up on me. Love the Maple Cream…I need to try this!
Right? I know. Sometimes it’s hard to believe I’ve done 200 recipes and sometimes it feels like how can it be only 200 recipes! Thanks for stopping by, Annie!
Gorgeous! can’t wait to give it a try!
Thanks, Catalina. Let me know how it turns out!
Homemade maple cream?! Sign me up! Sounds incredible, Liz! And I love your creativity!
Thanks, Gayle! Wish I could say I invented it, but no. I’m certainly glad somebody else did though!
Congrats on 200 recipes!!! That is a huge achievement! This maple cream looks amazing. I bet they will be good in a truffle.
Oh that’s a great idea! I didn’t even think of that one!
OMG…I’ve never had Maple Cream before…but I know I’d love it – because I love anything maple! So, you’re right – I’m totally missing out! And I think these would make great gifts!
You would love it, Kristi! If you try it, let me know what you think!
Oh my gosh. Now I know what I’m making with the maple syrup my husband brought me from Canada!! And congrats, 200 is big!
Thanks, Dorothy! This is the perfect way to use up your gift!
Congrats on 200! Can you believe I’ve NEVER had maple cream? It’s about time I change that 🙂
Oh yes, you should change that STAT!! 🙂
WOW I absolutely love this!
Thank you! And thanks for stopping by, Jess!