How to Make Imitation Maple Syrup

If you have the time, Vermont is a fabulous place to visit to see the mountains, the blueberries and of course, the maple syrup. Roadside stands can be found selling their maple products for less than you can find in local grocery stores, but it is still expensive. Try making a bottle of imitation maple syrup to hold you over until your next trip. You will be surprised how good it tastes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 c sugar
• 1/2 t maple extract
• 1/2 c water
• 1 t molasses

1. Pour two cups of sugar into a saucepan with half a cup of water. Heat it up over medium heat until it is a bubbly mass. You do not want to leave it as this point as it will heat up very quickly and might burn.

2. Watch the syrup constantly and stir it with a metal spoon as you see the edges turning a golden brown. Expect this step to take about 20 minutes. There might be a small amount of smoke but that is okay as long as the sugar is not turning dark. This step will add a deep caramel flavor to your syrup that is just delicious. Stir consistently until all the syrup has turned a golden brown.

3. Remove the pot from the heat immediately and add another quarter cup of water very carefully and slowly since it will spatter if you are not careful. Now bring the syrup back to a boil to dissolve any crystallized sugar.

4. Take the pot off the burner and add a half teaspoon of maple extract and a teaspoon of molasses for extra richness and nutrients. Stir gently and pour through a funnel into a hot glass bottle (hot so the sudden heat doesn't crack it) and allow to cool.

5. Serve this imitation maple syrup on ice cream, pancakes, waffles, flan, bread pudding, buttered toast or any other concoction you can think of. It is wonderful drizzled over breakfast sausages, but a little goes a long way.

Tips & Warnings

• Add cream instead of water in Step 3 and omit the molasses for a heavenly maple cream syrup to serve over a banana split.
• Boiling sugar is very dangerous and can cause serious burns so work carefully.

[senia]

on 9/6/2009 This is an excellent article, take it from me I would love to have had this recipe as I am standing there with a batch of pancakes, just to find out we do not have any syrup!!!! will try.

[esatchel]

on 9/5/2009 Youknow,this really is such a sensible thing to do,but I have never thought to try it.I even have the extract! Thanks for the idea and instructions!

[jenbeth]

on 9/4/2009 I had never thought of making any kind of maple syrup, thanks for the recipe!

[debinflorida]

on 9/4/2009 Sounds yummy! I had some fresh maple syrup one time, and nothing else tastes as good.

[mymukki]

on 9/4/2009 great idea, I miss fresh maple syrup! getting pretty pricey too but it does last forever! I like your recipe, will definitely try it