Food

Jul 7, 2016

58 sweet and savoury maple syrup recipes

By: Jennifer Bartoli and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

This versatile ingredient adds unbelievable flavour to sweet and savoury recipes. Bonus: It's Canadian (!) and is a natural, minimally refined alternative to sugar and corn syrup.

Maple-Glazed Doughnut Bundt Cake

This moist cake tastes like a blend of two of our country's most-loved doughnut flavours: sour cream and maple-glazed.

MAPLE CHOUX AU CRAQUELIN NESTS

Get the recipe here.

SPICY MAPLE-GLAZED CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS WITH CRISPY CHICKPEA SALAD

The crispy spiced chickpeas are great for nibbling on between meals. Double the batch and stash some for the extras in your lunch bag for an easy protein-packed snack.

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE STREUSEL MUFFINS

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE & CHIPOTLE PULLED PORK SANDWICHES

Prepare this juicy dish in the morning and let it cook all day for an easy-peasy, super tasty dinner that'll definitely have you going back for more.

Get the recipe here.

Chard and Apple Salad With Bacon Vinaigrette

Do you know what takes a salad from just OK to outstanding? Cheese and bacon. This indulgent salad is sweet and salty, with the perfect amount of tanginess. If you would like to make the dressing ahead of time, warm it up before pouring it over the greens to make sure they wilt.

Maple Fudge

This classic recipe for dense candy- shop fudge will be an instant family favourite. It's essential to have an accurate candy thermometer, because if it's only a few degrees off, you may have difficulty getting the right texture.

Brined Maple Mustard Pork Chops

Brining is a super-easy make-ahead solution that adds flavour and prevents meat from drying out, so it's great for pork. We've used boneless pork loin chops for easier slicing.

Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Broccoli Couscous

Simple pantry ingredients make a flavourful sweet-and-sticky glaze for juicy chicken thighs. Feel free to use frozen broccoli for the couscous, if that's what you have on hand. (Psst, it's cheaper than fresh broccoli, and precut florets will cut down on prep time.)

Power Waffles and Fruit

Finding a breakfast that gives you a boost and keeps you going until lunch can be tricky. These whole grain waffles made with protein-rich Greek yogurt and topped with nutritious berries and more yogurt will start the day off right.

MAPLE GRANOLA

Add this tasty granola to your favourite yogurt or enjoy it on its own as a healthy snack.

Get the recipe here.

Maple Mincemeat Turnovers

Maple syrup and maple-flavoured whisky liqueur bring a touch of Canada to this holiday classic. Individual turnovers make for easy entertaining. Freeze the unbaked turnovers and bake them straight from the freezer. If maple-flavoured whisky is unavailable, you can substitute brandy.

LEEK & MAPLE-GLAZED HAM EGGS BENEDICT

Get the recipe here.

Maple Pots de Crème

This indulgent maple-infused custard is made even sweeter by adding a seasonal buttery pear topping. To ensure that the custard is set in time for dessert, make the pots de creme well in advance of your guests' arrival.

MAPLE BUTTER TARTS WITH PECANS & CASHEWS

These iconic Canadian treats are rich, delicious and simply irresistible.

Get the recipe here.

Sugar Shack Crêpes with Ham and Eggs

When you're at the deli counter, ask for the ham to be sliced slightly thicker than regular sandwich thickness. The chives tend to sink to the bottom of the crêpes, so roll them chive-side-out for a pretty presentation.

Maple Walnut Butter

Soaking walnuts in water overnight rids them of any bitter aftertaste. This butter may appear dry, but don't worry -- it is extremely smooth and creamy, and spreads very easily.

Maple Buttermilk Grilled Chicken

Mix it up by using a variety of white and dark meat so that they all get their favourite pieces. Be sure to cut chicken breasts in half crosswise, through the bone, to make them more similar in size to the thighs and drumsticks.

Slow Cooker Whisky-Glazed Ribs

Slow-cooked then quickly finished on the grill, sweet and sticky glazed ribs are guaranteed to impress your guests. Pork side ribs are also called St. Louis–style ribs, but back ribs are equally delicious.

CARROT CAKE WITH MAPLE CREAM CHEESE ICING

Get the recipe here.

Cedar-Planked Salmon with Maple-Mustard Glaze

Grilling the salmon on water-soaked cedar planks infuses it with a delightfully smoky taste, plus the sauce gives it a golden glaze. If you can't do this outside, bake it on planks in a 425°F (220°C) oven for about 12 minutes.

Maple-Mustard Pork Fajitas

A sticky maple syrup glaze on the pork makes these loaded fajitas slightly sweet and a favourite among kids. Save yourself some prep work by arranging the toppings on a platter and letting everyone assemble their own at the table.

Pumpkin Pie Granola

The warm, heady spices of pumpkin pie shine through in this crisp, golden granola. If you close your eyes, it's kind of like eating pie for breakfast!

Coconut Date Breakfast Cookies

These wholesome cookies are great not only as an on-the-go breakfast but also as a midday snack. Dates are a source of protein and iron, giving you the energy you need to get through a busy day. And when puréed into paste form, they add natural sweetness and moisture to baked goods.

Best Maple Butter Tarts

Make your own delectable custardy tarts instead of buying them. We've subbed in the very Canadian ingredient maple syrup for the more common corn syrup. Plus, we've included variations on the classic, with chocolate and pecans instead of raisins.

Cherry-Berry Bannock Shortcakes with Maple Toffee Sauce

This twist on strawberry shortcake uses sweetened mini versions of bannock, a traditional aboriginal bread, in place of the usual biscuits. The maple-kissed toffee sauce adds an extra Canadian touch.

Fluffy Oatmeal Pancakes

Oat flour has a mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavour that makes these pancakes a satisfying breakfast. Find oat flour in health food stores or make your own.

CANADIAN MAPLE-GLAZED DOUGHNUTS

In cooking, a sponge is a batter like mixture that becomes foamy. Here it makes lightweight but not airy doughnuts. A maple glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness - and Canadian flair!

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE WALNUT CHOCOLATE SQUARES

Shortbread, walnut, caramel and chocolate come together to make decadent squares that are impossible to resist.

Get the recipe here.

Maple Shortbread

Canada, meet your new favourite cookie. We've done our country's iconic flavour justice by adding maple to the flaky cookie dough, then topping them off with a syrupy glaze.

MAPLE-GLAZED FENNEL

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE & ORANGE CELEBRATION TEA

What's better than a warm drink during the winter? A boozy warm drink!

Get the recipe here.

VANILLA MAPLE RICE PUDDING

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE-GRILLED PLUMS

This late-summer dessert takes juicy plums to the next level by adding the flavours of nutmeg, maple syrup and toasted almonds.

Get the recipe here.

Maple Sandwich Cookies

Three forms of maple add just the right amount of sweetness to these simple cookies. Maple sugar is available in the baking aisles of large grocery stores or in gourmet food shops. Use leftover maple sugar to flavour coffee and oatmeal or in place of white sugar in selected dessert recipes.

CHICKEN & MAPLE PÂTÉ

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE & ROSEMARY GRILLED SHORT RIBS

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BLUEBERRY, YOGURT & MAPLE ICE POPS

Get the recipe here.

Crispy Maple Coconut Tuiles

These beautiful cookies make for an elegant holiday gift. Bake them in small batches, keeping a watchful eye so they don't brown too quickly. To achieve the delicate curved shape, drape the cookies over a rolling pin while still warm.

Maple Whisky Pudding With Maple Pecans

This dessert sings with the all-Canadian taste of real maple syrup. Each serving is topped with crunchy maple pecans (add a dollop of whipped cream, if you like) for a decadent dessert.

MAPLE & BEER-BRAISED HAM

Get the recipe here.

Maple-Glazed Squash and Sausages

Tangy mustard, sweet maple syrup and robust rosemary make the perfect flavour combination for baked squash wedges. To add a little kick, use spicy Italian sausages instead of the mild ones.

ENDIVE SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE & MAPLE-GLAZED WALNUTS

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE-WALNUT DRESSING

Revamp any salad with this homemade dressing, ready in a snap! This dressing is best served with tomato, kale or wild rice salads.

Get the recipe here.

BRIE WITH MAPLE & ROSEMARY PEARS

We all know that pears are excellent in pies, preserves and crisps—but this autumnal fruit also lends itself well to savoury recipes.

Get the recipe here.

PEANUT BUTTER & MAPLE BLONDIES

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE-GLAZED PORK CHOPS & SWEET POTATOES

Get the recipe here.

MAPLE TAFFY POPS

Get the recipe here.

CARAMELIZED MAPLE SALMON SKEWERS

Get the recipe here.

Creamy Maple Mustard Basting Sauce

This mild sauce is not only excellent for basting, but it's also delicious to serve at the table for dressing up any grilled mains. It pairs well with pork, chicken or fish.