Maple Pralines

Leftover nuts? Last minute gift? Just craving something sweet RIGHT NOW? Maple pralines are the answer. 5 ingredients and less than 20 minutes standing next to your stove will yield slightly crunchy, mouthwatering pralines that will be gone just as fast as your second batch can cook. This recipe can be altered to achieve richer flavors by selecting a higher grade of maple syrup, adding a shot of your favorite bourbon or whiskey, or selecting your favorite nut in substitution for the pecans. Clean out your pantry and reward yourself with a few candies once  your done!       …

Merry Christmas

Growing up, Christmas was a big deal for me. School hallways dripped with decorations and letters to Santa. Throughout the town, buildings were aglow with lights and Christmas cheer. Presents nestled under the tree just waiting to be unwrapped. Our family tradition was to visit my dad’s family on Christmas Eve and then go to my Grannie and Pawpaw’s on Christmas day. We thoroughly enjoyed both places but, when it came to my Grannie and Pawpaw’s, the gifts were a little different. We did receive toys and things, but the bulk of it was homemade – crochet slippers and throws, …

Sour Cream Cake

Sour cream cake is a lovely, not too sweet, cake that is perfect for a variety of fillings and toppings. It can easily be adapted to fit any menu or celebration, and it is perfect for those who don’t have stand mixers.

The Deer

I am not a venison eater. My husband and sons are and they hunt responsibly each year. While they aren’t trophy hunters, they do occasionally harvest a deer they are extra proud of and so I end up with antlers displayed on my wall. Though it is not my aesthetic, it is their home too, so I try to compromise since they do harvest ethically and responsibly, which is important to me. When we moved into our new home a few years ago, the one thing I told the men was that they could put their “decor” anywhere but the …

Maple Shrimp, Chicken, and Vegetables

Although I am familiar with stir fry, I have never been introduced to the addition of maple syrup.  I must admit there was a slight hesitation, but it turned out wonderful.  Definitely, a dish my family enjoyed and I will be sure to keep it in my book of recipes. I decided to serve this over yellow rice and that recipe is included here but you can serve this over white rice, basmati, brown rice, noodles, etc.   CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You …

Chocolate (or Carob) Cake

Depending on the grade of maple syrup used, this cake can have a rich, nutty quality similar to brown butter (it smells almost like nuts toasting in your oven when baking) or a light and sweet quality that serves to only compliment the chocolate. With a surprising number of quality (and affordable) maple syrups on the market, this recipe can surprise you each time you make it if you’re feeling a little adventurous or remain a tried and true recipe to hold onto forever. This cake is shown with 7-Minute Maple Frosting     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at …

7-Minute Maple Frosting

If Paul Bunyan had a signature scent, it would be the fragrance of this freshly torched maple frosting. It filled my home with a warm toasted marshmallow scent and satisfied the desire for a pop color on top I was craving as well. Oh and it also takes less than 5 minutes to whip up (pun intended) and add to any cake, cupcake or pastry.       CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some …

Maple Apple Cake/Pie

This was a fun and different recipe for me and the boys to do. I like the fact that it is very simple but a nice googie cake to make. It was a huge hit with the family. It is a nice mixture of apples and cake together with the perfect amount of maple syrup to make it like a caramel toffee flavor. I used 5 large apples and I had to make the cake for the top and had to almost do the measurements by 4 times so that the tops of them were covered all the way.   …

Maple Custard

Custard is known for its creamy dense texture. This custard is light and creamy as the recipe calls for whipped egg whites.   It is different from your typical custard. Adding your choice of chopped nuts adds a delightful crunch.     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of …