Sweet Treat! Maple Sugar Snow Candy Recipe
As the snow blankets the north country, we embrace one of nature’s sweetest gifts – maple syrup. However, this season, we invite you to take your maple syrup experience further by making a traditional winter treat: Maple Sugar Snow Candy. This delightful candy marries the rich, smoky flavors of maple syrup with the crisp, clean essence of snow, creating a sweet treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
A word of caution: Making Maple Sugar Snow Candy involves boiling syrup at high temperatures. It is crucial to be extremely careful when handling hot syrup to avoid burns. Always ensure an adult supervises children during this process.
Ingredients:
- Pure Maple Syrup
- Fresh, clean snow (or crushed ice as a substitute)
Equipment:
- A medium-sized pot
- Candy thermometer
- A baking sheet or a tray
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Step 1: Preparation
First, prepare your snow. Fill a baking sheet or a large tray with fresh, clean snow and compress it slightly. If snow is unavailable, crushed ice can be a good substitute. Keep this tray in a cold place or outside (if the temperature is freezing) to avoid melting.
Step 2: Boiling the Syrup
Pour your Maple Syrup into a medium-sized pot and slowly boil over medium heat. Using a candy thermometer to monitor the syrup’s temperature is crucial. You’ll want to heat the syrup to the “soft ball” stage, around 235-240°F (112-115°C). Stir occasionally to prevent the syrup from scorching at the bottom of the pot.
Step 3: Pouring Over Snow
Immediately remove the pot from the heat once your syrup has reached the correct temperature. Carefully carry your pot outside (or to where you’ve placed your prepared snow) and slowly pour the hot syrup in ribbons over the cold snow. The syrup will cool almost instantly, forming the delicious candy.
Step 4: Enjoy Your Maple Sugar Snow Candy
While the syrup is cooling, take a popsicle stick and start to roll up the syrup into a maple syrup popsicle, or you can pick up the pieces with a spoon. The candy should be a delightful mix of chewy and crunchy, encapsulating the pure flavor of maple syrup.
Pro Tips:
- Experiment with pouring the syrup in different patterns for fun shapes.
- For a twist, sprinkle sea salt over the candy ribbons before they cool thoroughly for a salted caramel effect.
Remember, the magic of this candy lies not only in its unique taste but also in the joy of making it. Whether after a day of sledding or snowshoeing or simply as a treat to brighten a snowy day, Maple Sugar Snow Candy will create warm memories.
Happy candy-making!