Maple Snacks

Pumpkin Maple Dip

Recipe Reprinted with Permission from The Chef Next Door

Here is a simple and delicious dip that everyone - even kids - will really enjoy. It's wonderful with honey crisp apple slices, but graham crackers would also be a hit.

Makes: 2 1/2 cups.
Active Time: 10 minutes.
Total Time: 10 minutes.

8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, Neufchatel
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Beat Neufchatel with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in pumpkin, maple syrup and spice. Beat until smooth.

Maple Granola

Recipes from King Arthur Flour, Norwich, VT.

7 c. thick oat flakes (rolled oats), uncooked
1 c. flaked coconut
1 c. wheat germ
1 c. almonds, sliced or broken up
1 c. pecans or walnuts, chopped or broken up
1 c. sunflower seeds, raw or toasted
1 tsp. salt
1 c. vegetable oil
1 c. maple syrup
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 c. raisins
additional dried fruit/nuts as desired

In a very large bowl, combine the oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts, seeds and salt. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Pour over dry mixture in bowl, stirring and tossing till everything is very well combined (your bare hands are the best tools for this step).

Spread granola on a couple of large, ungreased baking sheets. Bake in a preheated 250 degree oven for 2 hours, tossing mixture every 15 minutes or so. Remove pans from oven and cool completely. Transfer granola to a large bowl, and mix in raisins and any additional dried fruit desired – dates, figs, currants, dried cranberries or blueberries, etc. Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

This recipe reprinted from King Arthur Flour’s Baking Sheet, Vol. III, No. 4, March-April 1992.

Maple Roasted Pecans

Recipe from the New England Culinary Institute

4 c. pecan halves
1 c. powdered sugar
2 oz. maple syrup

Heat pecans and powdered sugar in a saute pan over low-medium heat until caramelized, folding constantly. When the sugar has almost completely caramelized, stir in the maple syrup. Cook for 3 more minutes, stirring constantly. Spread evenly on a sheetpan lined with parchment paper and separate the pecans.