Maple Snow Candy and Maple Butter
Maple Snow Candy and Maple Butter
Have an excess amount of Snow? Looking for something fun to do with all that snow?? Why not make Maple Snow Candy! Kids and Grand-kids alike,
will have so much fun making Maple Snow Candy. Waaay back when, when I read the “Little House on the Prairie” series of books, I read something I’ve wanted to do ever since. In one of the books…I can’t quite remember exactly which book it was in but I think it was the first volume, “Little House in the Big Woods” Laura and her family made “Maple Syrup Candy”
I loved the description of how the family made maple syrup candy and have wanted to make this sweet treat ever since. The book “Little House in the Big Woods” is about the life of a young girl, Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family living in the “Big Woods” of Wisconsin…Pepin Wisconsin to be more exact. Since Turnips 2 Tangerines is located in the “Big Woods” of Wisconsin we thought we’d share a short video about Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
I found this wonderful and informative video on you tube…Following the Trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little Houses. We have never been to Pepin WI but after watching this video, it’s definitely something I would like to do.
It’s Maple Syrup Time!
several thousand of tapped trees. That’s enough to make 1,750 gallons of maple syrup. When the days and nights stay above freezing, the harvest season comes to an end.
Bear Paw Scout Camp
All that’s left to do is enjoy the sweet syrup. For an afternoon of fun, find a local sugarhouse and watch how maple syrup is gathered and turned into pure maple syrup. We did just that, when we visited Bear Paw Scout Camp on the day of the camps first tap. To learn more read our post: Bear Paw Scout Camp When we decided to make maple syrup candy we used a light amber maple syrup that we purchased at: Bear Paw Scout Camp Bear Paw Scout Camp is nestled in the middle of the Nicolet National Forest in Northeastern Wisconsin. In fact, it’s located in Mountain Wisconsin not far from where we live.
The United States recognizes five grades of maple syrup. They are classified by color based on the amount of light that comes through the syrup. The lower, darker grades have a stronger flavor than the light ones. Light Transmittance: Grade 75 percent or more/Grade A/Light Amber, Grade 60.5 to 75.9 percent/Grade A/Medium Amber, Grade 44 to 60.4 percent/Grade A/ Dark Amber, Grade 27 to 43.9 percent/Grade B.
Maple Snow Candy and Maple Butter
Ingredients
- 1 large bowl of clean snow
- 1 cup maple syrup, needs to be 100% pure maple syrup.
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Make Snow Candy
- Take a large bowl or baking sheet with sides and fill it with just-fallen, clean snow.
- Pack it down so you have a firm, flat snow surface.
- Set it in your freezer or leave it outside to keep it cold.
- In a small saucepan, ideally a saucepan with a pouring lip.
- Bring the maple syrup to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Boil until it reaches soft-ball stage on a candy thermometer.
- Working quickly, pour the hot syrup onto the snow.
- Allow it to cool and harden slightly and then enjoy!
- Make Maple Butter
- Beat together softened butter, honey and maple syrup.
- Shape into a 1-inch diameter log.
- Wrap in plastic wrap.
- Chill in the refrigerator.
- Serve Maple Butter on:
- Pancakes, waffles, french toast, scones or
- drizzle over popped popcorn.