Baking with Maple Syrup

Baking with Maple Syrup by Jodie Fitz

Maple syrup makes a great alternative, natural sweetener.  Local maple syrup can be found at the market weekly throughout the year.  Many vendors at the market collaborate and use each others products in their goods they bring to market; including several of our bakers who use maple syrup in a variety of ways. 

Here is what some of the markets local experts have to say about using maple syrup in baked goods;

“I mix Slate Valley Farms maple syrup with enough powdered sugar to make a medium thick consistency icing and then spread it on my maple pecan scones and it adds a rich maple flavor to the scone that compliments the pecans perfectly.” ~ Katie Bakes Gluten Free

“At parchment, we love baking with maple syrup!  It’s great on its own, as a compliment to other flavors, or even as an alternative sugar source.  Our maple butter squares are all about that distinctive maple flavor! Our naturally gluten-free crumble bar base is topped with a ring of maple buttercream frosting and filled with a gooey maple custard.  Our chocolate chipotle cookies with maple buttercream frosting use maple syrup to smooth out the spiciness of the chipotle.

When baking with maple syrup, it’s critical to balance the natural sweetness with the right level of salt. Sometimes this means using a little less maple syrup, other times this means adding a little extra salt. ”  Isabel, Parchment Baking Company

“Maple syrup is a fantastic substitute for granulated sugar in baked goods. Use ¾ cup of maple syrup for every cup of sugar. Be sure to add 1 tablespoon of flour per ¼ cup of syrup used to maintain your recipe’s texture. We love using real maple syrup in our cinnamon roll icing, a favorite at the market each week!” ~ Sweet Treats by Jennifer

Come and experience the flavor of maple because it’s maple season all year at the market.

This week’s recipe:  Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is currently open Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., November through April at Wilton Mall Food Court; accessible from the mall entrance across from BJs. The CDTA’s 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Mall hourly Saturday mornings.

Visit www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.