Maple syrup snow is a charming old-fashioned candy that’s sorta akin to homemade caramel. And it’s gooey and sweet enough to get excited each time it snows. It’s also a compelling reason to always keep a stash of maple syrup and butter on hand. –Renee Schettler Rossi
Where Did Maple Syrup Snow Originate?
We’ve no idea when exactly the tradition of maple syrup snow began. But we do that know author Diane Henry first read about it in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods, which is in the Little House on the Prairie series. As Henry explains, Native Americans used to watch for the “sugar moon,” the first sign that the sap was running and that it was time to tap the trees, in February. [Editor’s Note: We don’t know what a “sugar moon” is, either. But we find it unspeakably comforting to know that there’s such a thing watching over us. Something for you to ponder as you snitch some maple syrup snow.]
Maple Syrup Snow
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups maple syrup
- 5 tablespoons (2 1/2 oz) unsalted butter
- Fresh snow you’ve collected in a large bowl
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the maple syrup and butter until it registers 235°F (113°C) on a candy thermometer, about 25 minutes or so. It's going to be tempting to walk into another part of the house. Don't. Keep a careful watch on it and if at any point the mixture threatens to boil over, reduce the temperature under the pan.
- When the syrup reaches the desired temperature, remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon maple syrup mixture on some of the snow in the bowl. If the syrup sits on top of the snow and sets into a weblike caramel, it's ready. If it doesn't, return the pan to medium heat for a few minutes and then try again. Drizzle blobs of the syrup mixture on the snow in whatever pattern or neo art creation you fancy. As soon as the maple syrup snow candy is cool enough to pick up with your fingers, indulge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
This maple syrup snow candy was so yummy! The maple mixture creates a gooey caramel or toffee on top of snow. It makes quite a bit, so I called my neighbors to bring over a bowl of snow and it was so cute, they sent their 9 year old over with this big mixing bowl full of snow, so I just poured it on. (I wish you could have seen the neighbor boy with his boots and gloves on and this big bowl of snow. Very cute!)
They all loved it and described it as “a really good caramel.” The mom and dad finished their dessert off with a glass of Bailey’s. I jarred the leftovers, which will make a great caramel ice cream topping when the snow is gone–or maybe I’ll drizzle some over the whipped cream on my latte.
This looks so good! I just stuck a half sheet pan outside. Hopefully the snow keeps up!
Forget the pan and put a bowl out there! Just spent the last week in a winter blast and have to say this was one of the best treats for us after being stranded for 5 days. You won’t regret this treat and if you have little ones around it will be something fun to do with them.
Sadly, last year the snow didn’t keep up. But it did last night! We made some this morning and it was fabulous! I’m not usually a snow fan, but I now have a new reason to look forward to it.
I’m sorry, but this is just cruel. Having recently been in Vancouver I have just discovered how very pricey maple syrup is in Oz. I haven’t bought any home with me as it is a little risky to carry, and bringing home litres of the stuff seemed impractical (if not illegal). I may sulk for a while now.
Amanda, don’t waste the pricey stuff on this treat. I used the Trader Joe’s brand of syrup for this and it worked out just perfectly.
We used to make our own maple syrup (& syruped snow). The best thing I recall about making syrup was the first day’s run… it was richer, tasting almost like it already contained melted butter. The quality of the syrup seemed to gradually decline after that first batch — perhaps most of the syrup you buy is blended to some uniform standard? Or maybe it’s just a gold-infused memory?
Or, as you say, perhaps they just don’t make things like they used to, Gary…