Fall is for apple picking and spring is for maple sugaring. Whether you’ve gone to a local maple festival or you’re just in the mood for some of that nectar of the Adirondack gods, check out these maple recipes to satisfy your cravings.
BONUS: Following the recipes, you’ll find a list of local places to visit in Saratoga where you can enjoy maple dishes and real maple syrup.
Delicious Maple Recipes:
Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling
20 slices white bread
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup maple syrup
Directions:
1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
2. Spread the sugar mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the sugar mixture. Layer the bread slices on top of the filling, pressing down as you go. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and vanilla. Slowly pour this mixture over the bread, making sure that it is completely absorbed. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
3. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Place covered pan into the oven and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 60 to 75 minutes. When done remove from oven and turn on broiler. Remove foil and drizzle maple syrup on top of the egg topping; broil for 2 minutes, or until the syrup begins to caramelize. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes, then cut into squares.
5. Invert the pan onto a serving tray or baking sheet so the apple filling is on top. Serve hot.
Maple Pecan Shortbread Squares
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1 egg
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Combine the flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar in a mixer. Mix in the softened butter until a dough has formed. Press into an ungreased 8×8-inch baking dish, and prick with a fork.
3. Bake the shortbread in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. While the shortbread is baking, beat the egg in a mixing bowl along with 1/3 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, and pecans. Pour the pecan mixture over the hot crust, and return to the oven. Continue baking until firmed, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, and immediately run a knife around the edges to prevent sticking.
4. Cool completely, then cut into 1-inch squares to serve.
Ultimate Maple Snickerdoodles
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons real maple syrup
1 egg
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup maple sugar
Directions:
1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside.
2: In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup of white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and maple syrup. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until just mixed. In a small dish, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup white sugar and the maple sugar. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and roll the balls in the sugar mixture. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3: Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cookies will be crackly on top and look wet in the middle. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
Local Maple Menu Items:
- The Natural pizza with nitrate-free maple fennel sausage: Harvest & Hearth
- Winter Cobb Salad with maple-mustard vinaigrette: Comfort Kitchen
- Sweet Potato Casserole with maple syrup: PJ’s Bar-B-QSA
- Roasted Half Duck with New York Maple Syrup Glaze: Inn at Saratoga
- Bourbon Maple Butter side addition: Sweet Mimi’s Cafe
- Local tip: Try Vermont Maple Balsamic Vinegar from Saratoga Olive Oil Co. at home!
Restaurants Serving Real Maple Syrup:
- Springwater Bed & Breakfast
- Sweet Mimi’s Cafe
- Country Corner Cafe
- Max London’s
- Ravenous
Is your restaurant missing from our list? Contact Us to get it added!
