Jun 232014
 

 

Homemade Pancake Syrup

I haven’t always made our own pancake syrup. When we could afford it I would buy it ready-made because making it myself didn’t always seem worth the extra savings. Now that every penny counts, I find myself making it from scratch again. My kids prefer homemade syrup and have never been especially silent about their preference. I use clean, empty ketchup bottles to store our homemade syrup. They have squeezey lids to make pouring the syrup a simple process. If you’re trying to avoid high fructose corn syrup, making your own pancake syrup is an affordable way to do so.

I use inexpensive maple flavoring, which I buy wherever I find it cheaply. Sometimes Dollar stores have it, sometimes little hole-in-the-wall country stores have it. If I see it for a good price I make a habit to buy some because it’s something I know I’ll use eventually. Large supermarkets almost always have it, although that is usually the most expensive way to buy it.

If you’re watching your diet, try combining a tablespoon of this syrup with 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce. Then use that to top your pancakes. You’ll get maple flavor and sweetness without all the calories and excess sugar.

Maple Flavored Pancake Syrup

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh water
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons maple flavoring
  • Few drops or about 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil, optional

Directions

Combine the water, brown sugar, white sugar and vegetable oil in a large saucepan. Use a larger pan than you think you need because the syrup foams as it cooks. The oil keeps the syrup from boiling over the sides of the pan. It’s not strictly necessary, but I find it helpful because I’m usually distracted in the kitchen and unable to keep as close an eye on the stove as I should. The little drop of oil keeps the syrup from foaming too much as it boils.

Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. All of the sugar should be dissolved. Remove from the heat. Stir in the maple flavoring. Allow the mixture to cool and then transfer to a clean, empty syrup bottle or a clean empty mustard or ketchup bottle or a clean empty canning jar. Store in the fridge for longest keeping or on the pantry shelf if you go through it quickly (like within 2 or 3 months).

After a a few months of storage this syrup can develop large crystals in the bottom of the bottle. They are harmless but crunchy. To clean them out after you’ve used up all the syrup use very hot water to dissolve the sugar crystals. Then wash the bottle, make more syrup and fill it back up again.

Homemade pancake syrup has a clean, fresh flavor that tastes a lot better than most commercial products. It comes much closer to mimicking real maple syrup, both in texture, mouth-feel and flavor.

  3 Responses to “Maple Flavored Syrup”

  1. Hi Maggie

    I haven’t connected with you in such a long time. I was re-reading some of your recipes and comments and I thought I’d put in my 2 cents worth, even it’s probably not worth a plugged nickel.

    I haven’t done this yet but it might be worth a try.

    Since you are familiar with xanthin gum, why not use a little bit in home made syrup and/or fat-free salad dressing?

    As I said, I haven’t tried but I’m curious about using xanthin gum in this manner because It’s listed in so many commercial products where a smooth “mouth taste” is wanted, especially low calorie and fat-free items.

    When I have time I’ll write about the Christmas our extended family had. An answer to a 17 year prayer! The woman causing all the mayhem & tears had no idea that she was fighting against persons talking and interceding for this request. She wasn’t fighting against flesh and blood but against the limitless power of the awesome God of the universe!

    Happily, deliriously so,

    Frankie

    • Frankie & Ms Maggie,

      Just an FYI, but I have used xanthum/guar gum to thicken some of my homemade recipes with some success. It will need to be blended to mix it into the liquid as it likes to clump otherwise. If you use too much it will also give it a strange mouth touch as well. Most of my recipes I just use a cornstarch slurry as long as it needs to be cooked.

      Ms. Maggie, thanks for helping all of us who are GF and/or GFCF to keep our budgets tight and frugal. We’ve been there for seven years and many don’t understand how difficult it can be… God bless.

      Karen

    • Xanthan Gum can have a gooey slimy mouthfeel if you use too much or arent prepared for such a feel. It can be unsettling to some. We used it when we were all doing Keto, but unless its in keto baked goods, we couldnt get past the sliminess. Best of luck!

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