The Best Maple Syrup Recipes

March 14, 2023

Aimee

by Aimee

Sugaring Off: it’s the sweetest season here in Eastern Canada.

The warm spring air draws the sap up the trunks of the tall maples where it is collected and boiled down for pure maple syrup. March is entirely bearable because it gives us this liquid gold.

One taste is worth all the slushy snow and frozen mud, but we go far beyond a mere taste! Maple syrup is the sweetest way to eat local in spring, and I feature it in both sweet and savoury dishes.

Today’s post is a round-up of some of our favourite maple recipes for brunch, dinner and dessert.

Our family has a long history of collecting maple syrup. When the children were little, we had an annual family tradition of spending a day in the sugar bush: acres and acres of Canadian maples.

Under the warm March sunshine, we’d collect sap by the gallons, boil down over a wood stove, and then share a feast afterwards.

Read the full story with photos: Simple Bites in the Big Woods: A Sugaring Off Story

There are few things as satisfying as harvesting the bounty of mother nature, without risk to the environment, in a similar manner as generations have done before us.

Wondering when it is time to make maple syrup? Here’s the post: How to Know When It is Time to Tap Maple Trees.

The Best Maple Syrup Recipes

Pure maple syrup is capable of so much more than topping our crepes and pancake stacks. It’s extremely versatile, making it a great ingredients for marinades and salad dressing, not just dessert.

No one can turn down a maple-glazed doughnut or pass up a melting maple shortbread cookie. It’s a flavour that has an inexplicable draw for young and old alike.

I devoted an entire chapter to maple syrup in my first cookbook, Brown Eggs and Jam Jars; it’s definitely one of my favourite ingredients.

Here are the best maple syrup recipes that make us swoon every spring…

Maple-Glazed Doughnuts

A surprisingly simple recipe for homemade old-fashioned doughnuts. A classic maple glaze is all that is needed to garnish these treats, but sprinkling bacon on top is always a good idea.

Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Maple-Stewed Berries

A nourishing, make-ahead breakfast that balances out all the doughnuts. Use fresh OR frozen berries for the topping – just don’t omit the pure maple syrup.

Maple Multigrain Waffle Cake with Cinnamon Syrup Drizzle

A brunch showstopper that offers homage to the sweetest season of the year. Every component can be made in advance, which makes this ‘cake’ perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day or any springtime celebration.

Crunchy Apple-Pear Salad

Whether you serve this dish as a fruit salad at brunch or a refreshing dessert platter post-dinner, this recipe will always be a crowd pleaser. The maple syrup drizzle over the entire salad is purely decadent, while the tangy yogurt provides a tangy contrast.

Overnight Maple Hot Cross Buns

Just in time for Easter baking, these tender and fluffy seasonal buns are maple-sweetened and maple-glazed. They are lightly spiced and perfect with coffee. I’ve designed the recipe to be made a day in advance for ease on Easter morning!

Maple Sausage Patties

Great for breakfast or brunch, this simple recipe highlights pure maple syrup and fresh herbs in a simple homemade pattie. Make them ahead of time or pan fry them just before serving and perfume the whole house while you’re at it!

Maple-Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Walnut Bacon Crumble

Here’s a delightful combination of flavours and textures in a dish that feels decadent, thanks to the bacon and maple syrup, but is really quite easy. These sweet potatoes also work beautifully as a side dish, so definitely keep them in mind for your upcoming Easter brunch or dinner.