Tag Archives: dessert

Maple Apple Crisp

Maple Apple Crisp

Apple season in Vermont is one of my favorite times. There are several orchards nearby and we have both cultivated and wild apple trees growing on our farm. The combination of maple, spices and apples is amazing. Top with a crumbly, buttery oat mixture and you have a dessert that is sure to bring out autumn vibes!

Apples

6 apples of any variety, I prefer Macintosh or Paula Red, mixing varieties is also great

1/2 Cup Couching Lion Maple Sugar

1 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon (divided)

1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Topping

1/2 cup of pure Couching Lion Maple Syrup

3/4 cup of oats

3/4 cup of all purpose flour

1/2 cup butter

dash of salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.  Butter an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated maple sugar, 3/4 tsp of the cinnamon and lemon juice.  Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.

In a separate mixing bowl, add dry topping ingredients (oats, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter).  Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture, using a slight downward twisting motion, until mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs.  Alternatively, you can use two forks or even your hands to cut butter into the mixture. Once the butter is well incorporated, stir in maple syrup.

Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out.  Bake 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of maple syrup. Enjoy!

Maple Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

Maple Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

Most cream cheese frosting recipes use many cups of confectioner’s sugar. This recipe uses only pure maple sugar, making it not only more delicious but so much healthier! Bring to room temperature 8 oz cream cheese and 6 tablespoons unsalted butter. Add the cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on low. Slowly add in chunks of butter until it is well incorporated.

 » Read more about: Maple Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting  »

Rustic Maple Apple Compote

Rustic Maple Apple Compote

Maple syrup and Vermont apples are a classically delicious combination. This recipe combines the two to create a chunky, rustic compote. It’s delicious on its own or serve with ice cream, yogurt and a sprinkle of granola or as a side with savory dishes. You can choose to peel the apples or cook unpeeled. Either way is delicious!

2 pounds apples,

 » Read more about: Rustic Maple Apple Compote  »

Maple Sugar Blueberry Pie

Maple Sugar Blueberry Pie

August in Vermont means blueberry season! What better to do with blueberries than toss them with maple sugar and nestle them into a buttery crust? Baked until bubbly and topped with vanilla ice cream, you can enjoy one of life’s most delicious desserts. The blueberry filling recipe comes from my mother in law, Nancy Menard, who makes the most unbelievably delicious pies! The tapioca acts as a perfect thickening agent.

Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. You’ll need a 9 inch pie pan.

For the blueberry filling:

1 tablespoon Minute Tapioca

1/4 c flour

1 cup Couching Lion Maple Sugar

6 cups blueberries

Mix the dry ingredients and then add the blueberries. Squish about a third of them with your spoon or fork. Let them sit while you prepare the crust.

For an all butter crust:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour.

2 teaspoons Couching Lion Maple Sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chilled, unsalted butter

1/2 cup ice water

Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl or food processor. Add chilled butter and pulse the food processor or cut with a pastry cutter until butter resembles small peas. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons at a time of ice water. Pulse or stir the mixture after each addition. Continue adding ice water until a ball begins to form. Divide ball in two and store one half in the refrigerator.

Roll out the other half on a floured surface until it is slightly larger than the pie pan. Place in pan and add the blueberry mixture. Using the second half of pie crust, roll out the top on a floured surface. Either roll the top into a circle or experiment with slicing strips of pie dough to create a lattice. Press the edges firmly all around the pie.

Sprinkle a little extra Couching Lion Maple Sugar on top and place in the preheated oven. Place a cookie sheet on the rack below to catch drips. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes and then reduce to 375 degrees. Bake for another 30-35 minutes until the crust is nicely brown and the filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and let sit for 30 minutes to cool. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Delicious!

Blueberry Maple Sugar Sauce

Blueberry Maple Sugar Sauce

Mix 1 cup Couching Lion Maple Sugar with 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries. Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Mash blueberries with a fork and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine sieve and collect the liquid. Reserve the solids for use in a smoothie or spoon over ice cream. Store sauce in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy!

Blueberry Gin Fizz: Mix 3 tablespoons Blueberry Maple Sugar Sauce with 2 oz gin and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Top with seltzer.

Maple Sugar Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Maple Sugar Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Late May brings us abundant rhubarb and the season’s first strawberries. My grandmother had a huge patch of rhubarb and when my family sold her house, I brought part of it to my garden. I have many plants that are special to me based on their history in someone else’s garden. The rhubarb ties me to my childhood, and cool spring nights, visiting my grandparents in Huntington.

You can use any crust recipe you like.

 » Read more about: Maple Sugar Strawberry Rhubarb Pie  »

Maple Sugar Chocolate Fallen Cake

Maple Sugar Chocolate Fallen Cake

This was our New Year’s Eve dessert. There’s really not much to say, but that 2019 was off to a great start!

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1” pieces, plus more, room temperature, for pan
  • ¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated maple sugar, divided, plus more for pan
  • 10 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (61%–72% cacao),
 » Read more about: Maple Sugar Chocolate Fallen Cake  »