19 Maple Recipes That Will Make You Glad You've Got Syrup on Hand

Who hasn’t taken for granted the miracle of maple syrup as we drench our Sunday morning pancakes? We have Native Americans to thank for figuring out hundreds of years ago that that sticky liquid that courses through the veins of maple trees for just a few weeks a year can be cooked down and concentrated into a deep amber elixir that, incidentally, has a more nutritious profile than white sugar, packed with antioxidants. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, and the average tree yields between 5 and 15 gallons of sap annually, which adds up to one precious substance. Luckily for us, when it comes to its rich signature woodsy flavor, a little goes a long way.

Maple at breakfast? Of course! But why not in a new form, such as these crumbly, oaty scones punched up with maple? Clotted cream not necessary!

Chances are you have already experienced the joy of when your bacon lands in the little puddle of syrup that happens to be on your plate from eating pancakes or waffles. This recipe bakes that flavor right into the bacon, and tempers the resulting salty-sweetness with a hit of freshly ground black pepper. The result is perfection for breakfast and even more genius for garnishing a bloody Mary. Here’s our warning label: Make more than you think you need.

If a tree could bake, it might pack its essence into a Bundt like this one, just a maple-lover’s delight with maple in both the cake and the icing. It’s an obvious no-brainer for dessert, but do make sure you keep at least one slice on hand for breakfast with a cup of coffee the next day.

This is all the appeal of Thanksgiving dinner but for a smaller crowd and cooked in a fraction of the time. Baked on top of sagey "stuffing" croutons, the turkey roll stays moist from its mapley butter seasoning and protective bacon covering, which itself crisps up irresistibly.