This Homemade Maple Syrup Alternative is a delicious swap for maple syrup. It's budget-friendly, easy to make, and has better ingredients than store-bought table syrup. While there's no beating real maple syrup, this recipe comes very close! (Vegan, Gluten Free).
½teaspoonmaple extract(adjust to taste, see note 2)
Instructions
Simmer: Add 1 cup brown sugar and ½ cup water to a small saucepan. Simmer on low heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture thickens slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in ½ teaspoon maple extract (adjust to taste). Let cool slightly before using (mixture will thicken as it cools, see note 3).
Notes
Brown Sugar: Use Light or Dark brown sugar. Light brown sugar has less molasses, so the syrup will have a slightly lighter color and flavor. Dark brown sugar will yield a slightly darker syrup with more intense flavor.
Maple Extract: The maple flavor is pretty bold, so start with a small amount and add more to taste. In the grocery store, Maple Extract (or Maple Flavor) is sold alongside bottles of vanilla extract, almond extract, etc. Otherwise, find it online or in specialty baking supply stores.
Syrup Thickness: This recipe uses a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio for a thicker syrup. The syrup will thicken as it cools. So, we recommend serving it warm (not piping hot) or at room temperature. Once refrigerated, the syrup may thicken to a molasses-type consistency. Simple re-warm the syrup (in a hot water bath, microwave, or over the stove) until it's back to your desired consistency. Know that syrups made with 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio (vs. 2:1) are runnier than real maple syrup. (But if you want a runnier syrup, follow this Brown Sugar Simple Syrup recipe).
Storage Tips: Refrigerate extra in a clean container. Use within 3 to 4 weeks. If the mixture crystallizes, it's not necessarily gone bad...just rewarm until it's runny again (see note 3).
Yield: One batch makes about 7 fluid ounces (207 ml). Nutritional estimate assumes 1 tablespoon per serving (14 tablespoons per batch), but adjust as needed.