Should you consider swapping out sugar for maple syrup?

Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Michelle

So, yeah, I’m a little obsessed with maple. But when Melissa K. Norris and I got together this week you won’t believe what happened!

I can picture myself in an MLA support group (Maple Lovers Anonymous).

There I’ll be, rising from my folding metal chair that’s part of a circle of similar uncomfortable chairs situated in the middle of some cold gymnasium floor. My eyes will scan from one face to another of those who feel my addiction. Those who also drink way too much tea, just so they can add some maple sugar. Those who can’t make a cake or mix up a marinade without wondering if they should add maple syrup to the recipe. Those who watch the thermometer and weather forecast way too closely this time of year and obsess over the thought that maybe today the sap will start its slow-moving dance down every maple’s phloem.

“Hi. I’m Michelle. And I’m a maple addict.”

Melissa and I Both Got Excited.

In anticipation of the soon-to-be-here sugaring season, I’m elated to share this podcast (see below)–which I just recorded with Melissa K. Norris, over on Pioneering Today–about all things maple. Melissa, on the other hand, was very excited when I didn’t hesitate to say “Of course!” when she asked if I’d share one of my all-time, absolute-favorite recipes on her blog.

When Melissa asked what my favorite maple recipe was, I hesitated. I mean I’ve always been a sucker for chocolate chip cookies, but especially now that I make them with maple.

I’m a sucker for this giant chocolate chip cookie in cast iron.

But I’m a Goliath sucker for this super sized Maple Candy Cookie.

Then there’s maple fudge. Um, yes! And maple scones. Be still my heart. But when I told her that my most favorite recipes are ones that I love to bake in my old, heirloom cast iron pans . . . Ones that I inherited . . . Ones that come with a story . . . Well, I had Melissa at “cast iron.” Then we spent a moment being a little side-tracked ohhh’ing and ahhhh’ing over our favorite family cookbooks.

But if you know Melissa and I at all, none of that would surprise you.

The part of the podcast that you won’t believe until you hear it for yourself? All right, I’ll come clean. I confessed to Melissa that I used to hate maple syrup. Listen for the full story and what caused my change of heart.

Oh, and if you need some all-natural syrup? This sampler is a great place to start (it makes a great gift!), and this wood-fired syrup is amazing. Highly recommend.

Also be sure to hop over to Melissa’s site for my grandmom’s Melt-in-Your-Mouth Blueberry Cake recipe (yes, it really is all that). Well, it’s kinda collaborative recipe I guess, between grandmom and I, across the generations, after I altered it a little and made it Melt Melt in Your Mouth Blueberry Maple Cake.

I shared Grandmom’s blueberry cake recipe here a while ago (sans maple, before my obsession took deep root). I’ll admit that both versions are truly delicious. But I thought I’d link to both versions in this one post, so you can just PIN THIS and have everything you’ll need in one post.

You’ll Hear the Whole Story.

So when you have a few minutes listen to the podcast I recorded with Melissa. I fill you in on the whole story . . . why I wasn’t a fan of maple. And why I changed my mind.

Click here to hear me on the Pioneering Today podcast talking about my favorite sugarmaker ever, who happens to be my high school sweetheart, and who loved me long before I loved maple.

If you’d like to read more about my family’s sugarmaking experiences the past few years, there’s plenty to read around here.

But consider yourself forewarned. My story, along with my grandmom’s blueberry cake recipe, might make a maple addict out of you too.

Please follow along!

Please take a second to follow along here on SoulyRested to catch up on a few of my memorable mishaps, discover fascinating things about my centuries-old farmhouse, glean a little parenting/homeschooling insight from this momma who’s been failing at the effort for almost 2 decades, or enjoy the inside scoop on the secrets other legit homesteaders might not tell you.

I hope my focus always encourages you, because simple joys require hard work. Let’s face it, we all need all the encouragement we can get!

As soon as you subscribe (in the box at the end of this post), you’ll have immediate access to my Resource Library, which includes many useful printables, my FREE EBOOKs, and other amazing recipes for things like whoopie pie cookies, maple sap switchel, and another heirloom recipe, from a different grandmom, for a perfect pie crust.

Things we have heard and known,

things our ancestors have told us.

We will not hide them from their descendants;

we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78: 3-4

Glance at my Resource Page if you’d like to get a glimpse of all the supplies I use and recommend for everything from gardening, to homeschooling, to chicken care, to nature journaling, to maple syrup making. Of course, my favorite cast iron pans are there too.

I’d love to connect!

To find me in some other neck of the woods, just click any (or every!) icon below:

Pin this and listen again later!

Just hover over an image for the Pinterest logo.–>

Before you even scroll down and subscribe, I have a free eBook for you that might help your family live a little more simply and use a little less refined sugar. Download Maple Goodness here or just click on the eBook image below. Your family will truly love the Best Ever Maple Scone recipe in this free eBook.