Dress Up Your Maple Syrup Toppings

By yollymg

We love the flavor of good ol' maple syrup, we're featuring these easy, jazzed-up versions. Get better results by using pure maple syrup,not pancake syrup.

Ingredients

• Vanilla Maple Syrup:
• Pour 1 cup maple syrup into a saucepan. Split 1 (3-inch) vanilla bean in
• half lengthwise; scrape seeds into syrup. Place vanilla bean in syrup.
• Cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat;discard vanilla bean. Makes 1 cup.
• ~*~
• Apple-Pecan Pie Maple Topping:
• Prepare Vanilla Maple Syrup as directed. Stir in 1(12-oz.) package frozen spiced apples, thawed. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
• ~*~
• Blueberry-Lemon Maple Syrup:
• Combine 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1(12-oz.) package frozen blueberries, 1 tsp. lemon zest, and 2 tsp. lemon juice in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Serve warm. Makes about 2 cups.
• ~*~
• Apple-Pecan Pie Maple Topping:
• Prepare Vanilla Maple Syrup as directed. Stir in 1(12-oz.) package frozen spiced apples, thawed. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
• ~*~
• Blueberry-Lemon Maple Syrup:
• Combine 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1(12-oz.) package frozen blueberries, 1 tsp. lemon zest, and 2 tsp. lemon juice in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Serve warm. Makes about 2 cups.
• 1 (12-oz.)package frozen mixed berries may be substituted.
• ~*~
• Cherry-Almond Topping:
• Microwave 1/2 cup cherry preserves at
• HIGH 1 minute, stirring at 20-second intervals. Stir in 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg and 1/8 tsp. almond extract. Makes 1/2 cup.
• ~*~
• Pear-Orange Fruit Topping:
• Microwave 1/2 cup pear preserves at HIGH 1 minute, stirring at 20 second
• intervals. Stir in 1 tsp. orange zest and 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon. Makes 1/2 cup.
• ~*~
• Apricot-Ginger Topping:
• Microwave 1/2 cup apricot or peach preserves and 1 1/2tsp. finely chopped
• crystallized ginger at HIGH 1 minute and 20 seconds, stirring at 20-second intervals. Makes 1/2 cup.
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger may be substituted.

Preparation

Step 1

Note: Crystallized ginger adds texture
and a subtle ginger flavor. Using ground ginger yields a thinner mixture, but a spicier flavor. *