Maple cream syrup, also known as maple butter or maple spread, is a thick, creamy confection made from maple syrup. It has a rich, buttery texture and intense maple flavor that makes it delicious on pancakes, waffles, toast, biscuits, ice cream and more.
How is maple cream syrup made?
Maple cream syrup is made by boiling pure maple syrup past the usual syrup stage. Typical maple syrup is boiled until it reaches 7° above the boiling point of water, or 219°F (104°C). To make maple cream, the syrup is boiled further, reaching 234-238°F (112-114°C).
At this high temperature, the sucrose molecules in the maple syrup break down and re-solidify into very tiny crystals, giving maple cream its smooth, creamy texture. The process of making maple cream syrup is simple but requires careful temperature control and constant stirring to prevent scorching.
Some large maple syrup producers use specialized heating vessels and instrumentation to carefully control the temperature during the maple cream boiling process. Smaller producers often boil it in traditional sugar house pots, carefully monitoring the temperature with candy thermometers.
What ingredients are in maple cream syrup?
The ingredients in pure maple cream syrup include:
- Maple syrup – The base ingredient. Produced by boiling down maple sap.
- That’s it!
Maple cream syrup contains no added sugars, preservatives, artificial flavors, or anything else. It’s made with just one all-natural ingredient – pure maple syrup from maple trees.
What are the different grades of maple cream syrup?
Just like regular maple syrup, maple cream comes in different grades based on color and flavor:
- Golden/Delicate Taste – Made from the lightest, early season maple sap. Has a delicate flavor.
- Amber/Rich Taste – Made from sap collected later in the season. Has a richer maple flavor.
- Dark/Robust Taste – Made from sap collected at the end of the season. Has a very robust, maple flavor.
- Very Dark/Strong Taste – Made from sap boiled down further. Strongest maple flavor.
The grade refers only to color and flavor – not quality. All grades of pure maple cream are equally nutritious and delicious!
Is maple cream syrup healthy?
Yes, maple cream syrup is a natural, healthy sweetener!
Pure maple syrup (and thus maple cream) contains beneficial compounds like:
- Antioxidants
- Minerals like manganese and zinc
- Amino acids
Compared to refined white sugar or corn syrup, maple syrup has more nutrition and may have health benefits:
- Lower glycemic index – won’t spike blood sugar as much
- Linked to reduced inflammation
- May help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions
Maple cream syrup has all the same natural plant compounds and nutrients as maple syrup. And with its thick, spreadable texture, you may end up using less of it than liquid syrup anyway.
So while maple cream syrup is still a sweet treat, it is one of the better sugar choices thanks to its many beneficial compounds.
How many calories in maple cream syrup?
There are about 717 calories in 1 cup (240g) of pure maple cream syrup.
It has a higher calorie density than maple syrup, providing 113 calories in 1 tablespoon (21g) compared to 52 calories in 1 tablespoon of maple syrup.
This is due to maple cream having less water content, as some of the water is boiled off during the production process. The sugar content becomes more concentrated.
While maple cream syrup is high in calories and sugar like most sweeteners, it provides some nutritional benefits and has a lower glycemic index than many other sugars.
How long does maple cream syrup last? Can it be refrigerated?
Maple cream syrup has a shelf life of about 1 year when stored properly in a sealed container. Over time, it may start to crystallize or get grainy, but it will still be safe to eat.
Refrigeration is recommended after opening to maximize freshness and prevent any mold growth. An opened jar of maple cream will usually last about 9 months in the fridge.
You can tell if maple cream has gone bad if you see any mold growing on the surface or if it smells off or rancid instead of like sweet maple.
How do you use maple cream syrup?
Maple cream syrup can be used as a topping, spread, filling, or baking ingredient:
- Pancake/waffle topping – Drizzle or dollop on top of pancakes, waffles, french toast, crepes.
- Toast/biscuit spread – Spread on bread, bagels, biscuits, scones, muffins.
- Oatmeal topping – Swirl into oatmeal.
- Fruit dip – Dip fresh fruit slices like apples and pears.
- Yogurt topping – Drizzle on yogurt, granola, chia pudding.
- Ice cream topping – Drizzle on ice cream sundaes.
- Sweeten beverages – Add to coffee, tea, milk.
- Baking ingredient – Use in place of frosting or other sweeteners in recipes.
- Fillings – Use as a filling for crepes, pancakes, French toast, etc.
- Candies – Make maple cream fudge, maple lollipops, etc.
Maple cream syrup pairs especially well with any baked goods, dairy products, fresh fruit, and anything where you want that sweet iconic maple flavor!
What are some recipe ideas using maple cream syrup?
Here are some delicious ways to use maple cream syrup:
- Maple cinnamon rolls – Spread maple cream inside cinnamon rolls before rolling and baking.
- Maple cheesecake – Make a maple cheesecake with maple cream swirled in the filling.
- Maple cream scones – Cut cold maple cream butter into dry ingredients for scones.
- Maple banana bread – Swap out sugar for maple cream in banana bread recipes.
- Maple cream hot chocolate – Add a few tablespoons into hot milk for a maple twist on hot cocoa.
- Maple yogurt parfaits – Layer maple cream, yogurt, fruit, and granola in a jar or glass.
- Maple cream fudge – Boil cream, butter, maple cream and sugar to make fudge.
- Maple cream tarts – Make mini maple custard tarts with a maple cream topping.
Maple cream can be swapped 1:1 for sugar or butter in most baking recipes. Get creative with using it in place of regular frosting or fillings!
Where to buy maple cream syrup?
You can find maple cream syrup at some grocery stores, often near the maple syrup section. It’s sometimes in the jams and jellies aisle.
However, your best bet for finding it is at stores that specialize in maple syrup and maple products, like:
- Maple syrup farms – Many maple farms sell their own maple cream.
- Farmers markets
- Specialty food stores
- Candy/chocolate shops
- Online retailers
You can also easily make your own by boiling down pure maple syrup. Homemade only takes about 15 minutes of active time.
Look for maple cream syrup produced in maple syrup producing regions like Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Quebec, and Ontario for the authentic maple taste.
Is maple butter the same as maple cream?
Yes, maple butter and maple cream syrup are names for the exact same product. They can be used interchangeably.
“Maple butter” is a common name because the texture is smooth and creamy like butter.
But there is no actual butter or dairy in maple cream/maple butter – it is 100% pure maple syrup.
Can you make your own maple cream syrup?
Absolutely! Making homemade maple cream syrup is easy. All you need is:
- Maple syrup (about 3 cups)
- A large pot
- Candy thermometer
Simply pour the maple syrup into a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let boil, stirring frequently, until it reaches 234°F – 238°F on a candy thermometer. This takes about 15-20 minutes.
Once at temperature, immediately remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir occasionally as it cools and thickens. Pour into a glass jar and allow to finish cooling at room temperature.
Be very careful not to burn or scorch the syrup as it boils. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can run the finished maple cream through a food processor or blender for a minute or two.
Homemade maple cream will keep for 1 year sealed in the refrigerator. Enjoy your fresh maple cream on pancakes, toast, fruit, yogurt and more!
Can you freeze maple cream syrup?
Yes, maple cream syrup can be frozen for long-term storage.
To freeze:
- Pack maple cream into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
- Seal tightly.
- Label with name and date.
- Freeze for up to 1 year.
Thaw frozen maple cream in the refrigerator before using. It may have a grainier texture after thawing, so stir vigorously or whip briefly to restore creaminess.
Freezing prevents maple cream from crystallizing during storage. It thaws beautifully for topping pancakes and waffles on weekend mornings!
Is maple cream syrup gluten free?
Yes, maple cream syrup is certified gluten-free. It is made with just one simple ingredient – maple syrup.
Pure maple syrup does not contain any gluten sources like wheat, barley, rye or triticale. So maple cream is safe for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Always check the label when buying maple cream syrup to confirm it is 100% pure maple with no questionable added ingredients. Homemade maple cream is guaranteed gluten-free.
Maple cream syrup is a great all-natural, gluten-free option for sweetening foods from pancakes to yogurt to baked goods.
Is maple cream syrup vegan?
Yes, maple cream syrup is vegan. It contains no animal products of any kind.
Maple cream is made by simply boiling down maple syrup, which comes from maple trees. No dairy, eggs, meat, or other animal ingredients are involved.
Vegans can enjoy maple cream syrup without worry. It’s a great plant-based alternative to dairy-based spreads.
Maple cream has a rich, creamy texture that works great for spreading on vegan breads and muffins or sweetening things like oatmeal and nice cream.
Is maple cream syrup keto friendly?
Maple cream syrup is relatively low in carbohydrates, so it can fit into a keto diet in moderation.
A 2 tablespoon (32g) serving of maple cream syrup provides:
- Calories: 226
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Net carbs: 25g
- Sugar: 25g
Since a typical keto diet limits carbs to around 20-50g per day, maple cream syrup leaves little room for other carbs. But you may be able to work it in sparingly to treat a sweet tooth.
Try spreading just a teaspoon on keto pancakes or adding a tablespoon to keto yogurt along with high fat ingredients like coconut, nuts or chia seeds.
Maple cream syrup has a lower glycemic impact than many sweeteners, so it won’t spike blood sugar quite as high. This makes it a bit more keto friendly.
Does maple cream syrup go bad?
Yes, maple cream syrup can eventually go bad, but it has a long shelf life. An unopened jar can last 1-2 years in the pantry before going bad.
Signs that maple cream syrup has gone bad include:
- Mold growth
- Fermented smell
- Sour or bitter taste
- Change from creamy texture to gritty or watery
A jar that has been opened will go bad more quickly – lasting about 9 months in the refrigerator. Always store maple cream syrup in an airtight container.
If you see any signs of spoilage, it’s best to throw the maple cream syrup away rather than risk foodborne illness.
Can you substitute maple cream for maple syrup when baking?
Yes, you can substitute maple cream syrup 1:1 for maple syrup or other liquid sweeteners in most baking recipes.
A few tips for using maple cream syrup in baking:
- Maple cream may make batters thicker, so add a touch more milk or water as needed for the right consistency.
- Maple cream is sweet, so you can reduce any additional sugar in the recipe slightly.
- For a really pronounced maple flavor, use maple cream in place of only half the sweetener and keep the rest as sugar.
- Maple cream works great in muffins, quick breads, pancakes, waffles, coffee cakes and more.
Give baked goods an extra maple flavor boost by using maple cream syrup instead of regular maple syrup or plain sugar.
Conclusion
Maple cream syrup is a delicious maple-flavored spread that adds a unique sweetness to many foods. While high in sugar and calories, it provides some nutritional benefits and its lower glycemic impact makes it a better choice than many common sweeteners.
With its creamy, buttery texture, maple cream is easy to incorporate into recipes from pancakes to yogurt parfaits or even baked goods. It also makes a wonderful topping all on its own for simple foods like toast, fruit, and oatmeal.
Look for maple cream syrup at farmers markets, specialty stores, or make your own by boiling down pure maple syrup. However you drizzle it, maple cream is sure to be a new favorite!
