Maple Syrup Recipes

On a frigid March morning, rows of sugar maple trees stand like guards on duty. Snow blankets the ground around them. Icicles dangle from their branches. It's still winter here in Ontario, but the harvest season is about to begin. That's right: It's time to gather the first crop of a new year - Ontario Maple Syrup.

In a good season, as much as 30,000 gallons of sap can be collected from over 3,000 taps. That's enough to make 750 gallons of pure Ontario maple syrup!

Soon, the buds on the maples will open. Days and nights will stay above freezing, bringing an end to the harvest season. All that's left to do is enjoy the syrup. Bring out the pancakes and pass the maple syrup, please! The Garland Sugar Shack takes pride in its premium Ontario maple syrup.

Even if you can't journey all the way to visit us to sample our sweet maple syrup, you can still enjoy these wonderful maple syrup recipes in your home.

Maple Meat Loaf

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 egg
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Ontario Maple Sugar
• Salt & pepper to taste

Sauce

• 1 cup Ontario Maple Syrup
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup prepared mustard
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

1. In mixing bowl, combine oats, egg and milk and soak for several minutes.
2. Mix in beef, onions, salt & pepper to taste.
3. Place in 8 1/2 x 14 inch loaf pan.
4. Bake in pre-heated 350f/180c oven for 20-25 minutes
5. Remove from oven and pour off fat.
6. Cover with sauce and bake for another 20-25 minutes.

Maple & Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon cilantro
• 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoon Ontario Maple Syrup
• 1 tablesppon lime juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Mix together the first six ingredients.
2. Whisk oil until dressing is emulsified.
3. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Refrigerate to store for several weeks.

Maple Fondue

Ingredients

• 500ml (1/2 litre) Ontario Maple Syrup
• 500ml (1/2 litre) cream (35%)

Directions

1. Mix both ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil mixing regularly until thick (not too thick, but until mixture is not liquid).
2. Pour in a fondue pot.
3. Serve with cold fruit.

Simply Maple Cake

Ingredients

• 1 lemon cake mix (white cake is fine too)
• 540ml (19 oz) can unsweetened crushed pineapple
• 1/4 cup Ontario Maple Syrup
• 250g (8 oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon Ontario Maple Syrup
• 1 package lemon or vanilla instant pudding

Directions

1. Bake cake mix as directed on box (use a 9x13 inch pan or larger).
2. Immediately when the cake is baked and removed from the oven spread the pineapple and 1/4 cup of Ontario Maple Syrup over the cake.
3. Let cool for at least an hour.
4. Beat Philadelphia Cream Cheese in medium size bowl and blend milk, Ontario Maple Syrup, pudding until real smooth.
5. Spread over cake and refrigerate until ready to serve.