Homemade Pancake Syrup Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade pancake syrup last? ›

Pancake or breakfast syrup can be stored in a closed container, unopened or opened, in the pantry. It's best to use it within a year, but it will keep indefinitely.

To make maple syrup, the tree trunk is drilled or tapped to allow the sap to flow out in the hanging bucket. The collected sap liquid is boiled until it reaches 219°F. At this point, the water evaporates and a thicker consistency develops. Then it is filtered through a cloth to prevent contamination before bottling.

This is probably the easiest, fastest way to get a delicious maple syrup substitute: mix some jam (or jelly, or preserves, or marmalade) with a splash of water in a small pan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth, adding more water as needed until you get a nice, syrupy consistency.

Sugar and Water

Even if all you have on hand is a sack of sugar, you can simmer some with equal part water to make an easy substitute for maple syrup. Use simple syrup for baking where you won't miss the nutty, caramelized flavor of maple syrup.

After all, you want to be able to use that maple syrup for as long as possible. So does syrup ever go bad? The short answer is technically no, syrup does not expire and you can keep an unopened container of the stuff on your shelf indefinitely.

Common white table sugar, aka superfine sugar, is best for traditional simple syrup because it dissolves quickly and is neutral tasting. Simple syrup should only supply clean sweetness, not flavor. I'd avoid using powdered sugar. It contains 3% cornstarch will make the syrup slightly cloudy.

Unopened maple syrup of any kind can be stored in a cool, dark place until you're ready to use it, ideally within two years. But once opened, pure maple syrup should be stored in the refrigerator.

Keep your mixture at medium heat when mixing it in a saucepan on the stovetop. It doesn't need to boil. Using distilled water helps crystals from forming, however crystallization still happens if the simple syrup is placed in the fridge or if the 2 parts water to 1 part sweetener ratio isn't followed.

The simple syrup formula:

Simmer equal parts granulated sugar and water on the stove until the sugar is completely dissolved, then you're ready to add to all your favorite recipes. For a more viscous and potent syrup, go for the rich version: 2 parts sugar to 1 part water, prepared the same way.

Sheila recently e-mailed the Kitchen Shrink to ask, “in making pancake syrup, how do I keep sugar from settling on the bottom in hard form?” If your syrup crystallizes in the bottom of the bottle either the proportion of sugar to water is too high or the mixture wasn't heated long enough to dissolve every sugar crystal ...

Can any maple make syrup? ›

Maple syrup can be made from any species of maple tree. Trees that can be tapped include: sugar, black, red and silver maple and box elder trees. Of all the maples, the highest concentration of sugar is found in the sap of the sugar maple.

The five steps involved from start to finish are: (1) preparing for the season; (2) determining WHEN to tap; (3) identifying the trees to be tapped and tapping them, (4) collecting the sap and processing (boiling/evaporating) it; (5) filtering, grading and packing the syrup.

If syrup is not boiled long enough (less than 66º Brix), it may start to ferment in the container. It will taste “spiked”. It tastes like alcohol but not in a good way. If equipment is not thoroughly rinsed, the taste of soaps and detergent may appear in your syrup.

If you're looking for a simple syrup substitute, there are three favorites you probably have right in your home: honey, maple syrup and agave. For honey or agave, add warm water to them, to help turn the mix to syrup. You can also use a sweet, juicy fruit, like an orange.

Opt for raw, unfiltered honey for the most health benefits. Agave Nectar: Agave nectar is a low-glycemic sweetener that can be drizzled over pancakes for a touch of sweetness without the rapid spike in blood sugar levels.

Sugar and lemon is a great pancake topping if you want to get away from syrup. Sliced fruit and chocolate sauce is also nice.