Following is a wonderful, easy recipe for Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup. It’s a great treat for breakfast and brunch or makes a gourmet gift. (If you can part with it.) Keep in mind it takes two weeks to “cure”, so now’s the perfect time to make a few bottles for holiday gifts!
My Mainer grandfather knew a good thing. Most nights after dinner he treated himself to a large bowl of vanilla bean ice cream doused in a river of pure maple syrup. Other nights he poured himself a bowl of maple syrup, slurped it straight up, spoonful by golden spoonful. Like I said, he knew a good thing.
Last spring I tasted Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup for the first time at the Cabot Cheese store near where I was staying in Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont.
I know a good thing too. Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup is out of this world, seriously the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I took a taste from the tiny spoon at the sampling counter. And then another. And yes, another. I had to stop. I knew it was unethical to down an entire sample bottle. I might get arrested and carted off to jail. That day I bought a precious bottle of Butternut Mountain Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup. My boys and I finished it off in mere days.
So I did a little experimenting and I’m SO excited to share this recipe with you! You’re gonna love it. It’s simple to make with guaranteed great results. I gifted it for Christmas last year, birthday gifts too. If you like the syrup flasks I used, here’s the best deal I found ordering in bulk on-line: Container and Packaging (They sell the screw-on caps separately, don’t forget to buy those too.)
I bought four gallons of pure Vermont maple syrup from Collins Tree Farm and Sugarhouse in Putney, Vermont. Martin and Jean Collins couldn’t have been more accommodating and gracious, gave me excellent service, shipped it straight to my door. I love supporting local family businesses.
Yeah, so I made lots of Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup last year! Lots of happy campers on Christmas morning…
Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup
Ingredients
- 8 oz. pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 vanilla bean pod
Instructions
- Slit the vanilla bean lengthwise.
- Place vanilla bean in a sterilized 8 or 8.5 oz. jar or flask.
- Bring the syrup to a near boil.
- Gently stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.
- Using a funnel, carefully pour the hot syrup over the vanilla bean into the jar.
- Screw on the cap, then cool.
- Refrigerate for two weeks 'til ready.
- ENJOY!!!
- (Keep refrigerated.)
Notes
I bought excellent quality Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans from Amazon.
And isn’t this the cutest little maple syrup bird house ever? Eighty-three year old Vermonter Bob Gelineau of Stone Soup Creations created this unique and genuine “Vermont Birdhouse” by using boards from a 19th century barn. The roof is a sap bucket cover and the perch, a spout used to harvest maple sap in the Vermont Maple sugaring tradition. I recently found this little bird house at a lovely boutique Country on the Common in Chester, Vermont.
Do let me know if you make this awesome Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup and tell me how you like it!
Related Post: Cheese and Maple Syrup sampling at Sugarbush Farm in Woodstock, VT
nancy mcmahan says
I am from Vermont and love our maple syrup. Family sees that I stay supplied now that I am in Georgia. I will have to try this.
Madeleine says
Love this! We are gifting lots of consumables this Christmas, I might just have to make up a batch of this and add it to everyone’s gift basket! Thank you for sharing!
Allie Taylor says
YAY!!! Hope you do.
Julie says
Yum.
Judy says
Hope to find one of those jars of yummy vanilla bean maple syrup in my stocking this year 🙂 By the way, did you know that sometimes Grampy ate a bowl of maple syrup ONLY, without the ice cream?!
Auntie M says
I’ve been waiting for this one!
Ginger Worrell says
Allie, you are slowly filling up my recipe file folder that I keep on my computer with some delicious recipes, especially this one for Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup. I will definitely have to try this one. You are making me want a big bowl of vanilla bean ice cream with this special syrup! Do you have a website for getting some good Vermont Maple Syrup. You know what they sell around here! We still miss youall so very much. Your family has grown so big but they all still have that cute, impish look. Chip off the ‘ole block!! Love & miss you lots. Ginger
Allie Taylor says
Many thnx. Ginger. Save more room in that computer file, so much more to come!:) I can’t think of an inexpensive place to order syrup on-line. I paid $48 a gallon for mine from Collins Tree Farm and Sugarhouse in Putney, VT. They gave me fast, excellent service. But my aunt can get it from a local guy in VT for $40 a gallon. Love and miss you!
[email protected] says
Sheryl needs to snag me one of these from you or she needs to make it for me when she comes. I think I have one lonely bean left here from some failed project.
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
Oh wow….I love homemade gifts! This looks absolutely delicious!
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
What a perfect gift! I love real maple syrup. I bet that vanilla bean really amps up the flavor. I’ll definitely be giving it a try. Pinning. 😀
Kristina says
Mmm, this sounds incredible, I love vanilla. what a fun gift!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
What a great idea to flavor maple syrup Allie! My brother in law has his own maple syrup production and so I am blessed with fresh Ohio maple syrup each year for Christmas. I have to try this!
Diana says
What a fantastic idea! This will make a wonderful edible gift. Thanks for the link for the maple syrup as well, we will be giving them a try.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
What a great idea! It sounds so delicious! We only use maple syrup…this would really be a treat. And it’s perfect for gift giving!
Ramona W says
This sound like an awesome way to infuse even more flavor into maple syrup! I love the idea of your grandfather just eating a bowl of it with a spoon. 🙂
David @ CookingChat says
what a great tasty Christmas DIY idea!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
This is such a clever idea! And such a fun gifting item!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
This has just taken maple syrup up to a new level! I think this will be perfect for vanilla maple-esque recipes!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Love this idea. Sounds so delicious! 🙂
BethB says
Love this idea, and you have made gifting it so easy. Can’t wait to try this. We are big on Brown sugar and maple no-bake cookies here. They are my husband’s favorite no-bake flavor. I’m sure this would be a great addition. Thanks for sharing
puja says
What a great gifting idea for this christmas Allie. Lovey share!!!
Kristen Chidsey says
Ice cream doused with maple syrup–WOW!!! He was a smart man! But you my friend are a smart lady for infusing this syrup! Looks great!
Aunt Pinkie says
Sounds fabulous!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Allie, Haha, your grandfather sure knew how to do dessert right! He reminds me of my dad who would eat Golden Syrup by the spoonful – at least till my mom caught him and whisked the spoon and can away! Btw – that stash you have going makes me wanna bundle up and head north to your house for breakfast – or dessert cos this vanilla bean maple syrup on a bowl of vanilla froyo with a steamin mug of coffee is simply dessert done right! 🙂
P.S am heading over to Collins Tree Farm and Sugarhouse’s website to order me some maple syrup so I can give this recipe of yours a try! Happy Monday sweet friend – hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful! xoxo
olivia @ livforcake says
This sounds amazing and I love how easy it is to make! This will be served at the holiday breakfast table this year! 🙂
Eva says
Je crois que ton grand-père avait des très gourmandes habitudes 😉 J’adore tes bouteilles de syrup, j’aimerais avoir la même pour mes pancakes du dimanche! xoxo
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I loved the idea of slurping the maple syrup. Your Grandfather indeed knew a good thing., Allie. I should do the same because I crave for something sweet after dinner and this would make an easy and delightful treat. Absolutely loving this easy recipe for Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup. I won’t mind taking it with every meal I eat! 🙂 Plus, I am loving how pretty holiday gift they would make. Making it soon! 🙂
Jeff C says
Thank you for sharing your recipe and the story. Very enjoyable. I make my own syrup from my trees in Minnesota. I am planning on making a batch of vanilla flavored syrup using your recipe. Do you have the vanilla bean seeds in your syrup or do you filter them out?
Allie says
Hi Jeff – Great to hear from you. I used to collect sap as a little girl, with my elderly neighbor Mr. Peck on his 100 acres growing up in RI. He drove the tractor and I dumped the buckets. Then we would boil it down in his sugar house. It was a great experience. So definitely leave the bean specks in! So good. We have a good friend who has a syrup farm up in St. Albans, VT and we get all our syrup from him now. I have many other recipes using maple syrup on the site and you can check them out here: https://www.throughherlookingglass.com/best-maple-syrup-recipes/ So glad you dropped by.
Bette says
Hello, I am making my first batch of Vanilla Infused Maple Syrup ~ but I get to use our own syrup! Please check out our website, http://www.sillowymaple.com of you would like to learn about our family operation, and order some prure Vermont maple!
Allie says
Hey Bette – Looks awesome! Would love to visit your place sometime. My husband was actually born in Randolph, VT, so
I already know from experience that wonderful things come from Randolph. So glad you dropped by and hoping your vanilla bean syrup is a big success!
Jerome says
Thank you for the fine recipe. I am pouring off the final 6 gallons of maple syrup today and will make 24 bottles of vanilla bean infused maple syrup. My pour temp is above 200 degrees, so barring any unforseen misadventures, it won’t need refrigeration.
Allie says
I’m so excited for you Jerome, I hope you love it. It’s a big deal at my house and everyone I know loves receiving it as a gift. What could be better than pure maple syrup? THIS!:)
Renee Shaw says
Hi,
I’m wondering if you have ever infused cinnamon into maple syrup? I’m thrilled to find a recipe for infused vanilla maple syrup. My sister gave me a basket of pure maple syrups infused with cinnamon, vanilla and bourbon and we loved them. The only problem I can’t find them in Canada (my sister is in the U S.) So if I could make them …problem solved.
Thanks Renee
Cheryl says
How long of a shelf life does it have ? Can it be made shelf stable.
Like if I wanted to make now in February would it still be good come Christmas as gifts
Thank you
Roxann says
Do you purchase the vanilla paste separately? Also does this need to be strained. I’d love to make this as gifts.