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Maple cream
Crème d'érable: maple syrup boiled and beaten into a pale spread
Crème d'érable is sold in little jars in every Quebec market from Jean-Talon to the Beauce farm stands, and despite the name there is no cream in it: pure maple syrup is boiled to the soft-ball stage, cooled without stirring and then beaten until it turns pale and creamy. It is spread on toast, crêpes and warm bagels. Patience and a thermometer are the whole trick. The common mistake is stirring the syrup while it cools, which sets off large grainy crystals instead of a smooth cream. Chef's tip: use a light, golden syrup; dark syrups taste stronger but can stay runny.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 2 cups pure maple syrup, golden
- ¼ tsp flavourless oil or vegan butterstops boiling over
- 2 ¼ lb ice cubesfor an ice bath
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Pour 2 cups pure maple syrup, golden into a deep, heavy pan (it foams up a lot) and add ¼ tsp flavourless oil or vegan butter. Bring to the boil over a medium heat and boil, without stirring, until a sugar thermometer reads 225°F, about 12–15 minutes.
15 minStep 2: Take the pan off the heat at once and set it in a sink or bowl of cold water with 2 ¼ lb ice cubes. Leave it completely untouched until it cools to about 104°F, roughly 15 minutes.
15 minStep 3: Beat with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer on low speed. After 5–10 minutes the glossy syrup turns lighter and opaque, then thickens to a soft, spreadable cream. Stop as soon as it loses its shine.
15 minStep 4: Spoon into clean jars right away, before it firms further. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 months.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 85 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 22 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does maple cream take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of pure maple syrup, golden?
- Honey or golden syrup, same amount.
- What can I use instead of flavourless oil or vegan butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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