If you were among the other thousands of people who trekked to Elmira a month ago for the 50th anniversary of the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, then you probably went home with an abundance of the liquid gold – and perhaps are looking for some new recipes to use it for.
This season makes me think of all things maple – fudge, maple-Dijon barbecue sauce, maple sugar rubs, maple glazed shortbread, and of course, our maple roasted butternut squash soup. The possibilities are endless, really.
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener, so it’s great in vinaigrettes, sweet and sour sauces, and provides more depth of flavour without overpowering a dish. Hidden benefits to maple syrup that you may not have realized include its natural phenols, beneficial antioxidants, natural potassium, zinc, calcium and hints of vitamin B. These are not natural elements you can find in manmade, mass produced syrups!
As a natural sweetener, it’s common for maple to be paired with dessert, which is why we have this recipe for maple cheesecake – a rich and delicious combination of creamy cheesecake and sweet, syrupy goodness. Happy baking!
Maple-Kissed Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 24 gingersnap cookies
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup sugar
- ¼ cup toasted pecans
- 32 oz. of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 4 eggs
- 1 tbsp. vanilla
- ½ cup 35% cream
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the ginger snaps to a crumb, stir in melted butter and sugar and pulse until combined. Add pecans and pulse once more.
- Press the crust evenly into a spring form pan.
- Bake in oven for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
- Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat softened cream cheese and scrape the bowl occasionally to cream the cheese together.
- Once all the cheese is whipped, add the syrup and eggs, one at a time, until combined.
- Add vanilla and cream and mix until it is just combined. Pour the filling into the ginger snap lined pan and bake in the middle of the oven at 325˚F for 1 hour.
- The cake will set as it chills. Once chilled, slice with a hot knife and drizzle with maple syrup and top with whipped cream.
Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
