Last Updated on April 9, 2024
The delicious taste of sweet maple is hard to beat. It’s a popular condiment on waffles, pancakes and French toast, and is used in baking as a natural sweetener. This sensational maple frosting or buttercream frosting with maple extract will make your taste buds happy.
The combination of creamy buttercream and the pleasing taste of maple makes for an excellent frosting. This maple buttercream goes well with spice cakes and cookies. This recipe is easy to make and requires no prior baking experience.
How is Maple Frosting Made?
Maple sap is extracted from maple trees and is then made into maple syrup or maple extract. Though there are several types of maple trees, sugar, black, and red maple trees are used for extracting maple sap. These maple trees are commonly found in northeast America and Canada.
Since as early as the 1600s, Native Americans have eaten maple sap. Today, maple is still enjoyed by millions of people. It is used as a condiment and is a popular addition to cakes, cookies, and frosting.
Creating maple sap for maple syrup and maple extract is no quick process. It takes about 40 years for a maple tree to be ready to produce maple sap. On average, a tree will produce around 14 gallons of maple sap a year. It takes approximately 40 gallons of maple sap to produce one gallon of maple syrup.
Maple sap is generally harvested between late February and early spring. Typically, a tap is inserted into a maple tree where the sap flows out and is collected in buckets. From there, the sap is made into maple extract or is made into maple syrup by a process that involves heating and evaporation.
The Process
Making maple syrup can be a trying process. A lot of work goes into getting the sweet result of maple syrup. Maple syrup is more expensive than generic breakfast syrup, however, once you try it you will realize it’s worth all the hard work and money.
Maple is a healthier alternative to added sugar. It contains antioxidants, nutrients, and minerals. It is a much healthier option to breakfast syrup and can be a great natural sweetener in dessert recipes.
Quebec is the largest producer of maple syrup, producing an astounding amount of nearly eight million gallons a year. Vermont is the second-largest producer of maple syrup, making an impressive 890,000 gallons a year.
Grade A and Grade B Maple Frosting Syrup
Maple syrup comes in two different forms: Grade A and Grade B.
Grade A maple syrup is produced earlier in the season and has a lighter, amber color, with fewer nutrients.
The Grade B is produced later in the season and has a darker color, with a more powerful flavor, containing more nutrients.
Grade A tends to be the most popular type of maple syrup because it has a smoother, more delicate maple flavor. Both are the same quality; they just vary based on their taste. Though Grade A is more widely consumed, you can use either of them for baking.
What You Will Need to Make This Maple Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
To make this sensational maple buttercream frosting with maple extract recipe, you will need:
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons maple extract
Equipment
To prepare this recipe you will need a large bowl and an electric mixer.
Maple Frosting Step by Step Instructions
Step One: Beat the Butter
In a large bowl, beat the butter until it reaches a fluffy consistency.
Step Two: Add Confectioners’ Sugar
Mix the confectioners’ sugar in, adding one cup at a time. Mix until fully incorporated.
Step Three: Add the Maple Syrup and Maple Extract
Add the maple syrup and maple extract. Beat the mixture until fully combined and the frosting has reached a fluffy consistency.
This buttercream frosting pairs great with a spice cake, as the maple and spice complement each other.
Tips and Tricks
When buying the maple syrup and maple extract, you want to make sure to buy real maple and not imitation. Real maple will have a purer maple taste and isn’t packed full of added sugar like imitation maple syrup is.
Maple syrup can be found online and in grocery stores. Maple extract can also be found online and in most grocery stores, but it sometimes can be hard to find in stores.
This maple buttercream frosting can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week and the freezer for up to six months. After removing from the fridge, you will want to let the frosting reach room temperature and re-whip before serving, as the frosting may have separated.
Maple syrup has a long shelf life. After opening your maple syrup, it is recommended to store it in the fridge, though you don’t have to. Refrigerating maple syrup discourages mold from growing and allows it to stay fresh for longer.
More Tips and Tricks
If you are looking for the perfect sweet and savory combination, maple bacon cupcakes are where it is at. The grouping of a maple cupcake, maple buttercream, and bacon pieces have become a popular specialty cupcake at many bakeries thanks to the sweet and savory balance.
The natural sweet flavor of maple pairs great with many different desserts. It is a popular frosting choice for many fall and winter desserts. Apple cake, spice cake, maple cake, white cake, sugar cookies, and spice cookies all taste great with maple buttercream frosting.
Sensational Maple Buttercream Frosting with Maple Extract
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter softened
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons maple extract
Instructions
- Step One: Beat the Butter
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until it reaches a fluffy consistency.
- Step Two: Add Confectioners’ Sugar
- Mix the confectioners’ sugar in, adding one cup at a time. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Step Three: Add the Maple Syrup and Maple Extract
- Add the maple syrup and maple extract. Beat the mixture until fully combined and the frosting has reached a fluffy consistency.
- This buttercream frosting pairs great with a spice cake, as the maple and spice complement each other.
Notes
- When buying the maple syrup and maple extract, you want to make sure to buy real maple and not imitation. Real maple will have a purer maple taste and isn’t packed full of added sugar like imitation maple syrup is.
- Maple syrup can be found online and in grocery stores. Maple extract can also be found online and in most grocery stores, but it sometimes can be hard to find in stores.
- This maple buttercream frosting can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week and the freezer for up to six months. After removing from the fridge, you will want to let the frosting reach room temperature and re-whip before serving, as the frosting may have separated.
- Maple syrup has a long shelf life. After opening your maple syrup, it is recommended to store it in the fridge, though you don’t have to. Refrigerating maple syrup discourages mold from growing and allows it to stay fresh for longer.
- If you are looking for the perfect sweet and savory combination, maple bacon cupcakes are where it is at. The grouping of a maple cupcake, maple buttercream, and bacon pieces have become a popular specialty cupcake at many bakeries thanks to the sweet and savory balance.
- The natural sweet flavor of maple pairs great with many different desserts. It is a popular frosting choice for many fall and winter desserts. Apple cake, spice cake, maple cake, white cake, sugar cookies, and spice cookies all taste great with maple buttercream frosting.
A Mouthwatering Maple Treat
This creamy buttercream will be a crowd favorite thanks to its delicious maple flavor. It’s a versatile frosting that all your friends and family are sure to love.
No matter what the season, maple buttercream will fulfill your sweet cravings. Maple is the perfect natural sweet addition to buttercream frosting. If you tried this frosting, please share your experience making it.
Please comment if you enjoyed this article or have any remarks regarding this recipe!
Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.