homemade maple syrup.

in my efforts to be frugal and eat with less preservatives i made homemade maple syrup last week when we ran out and i had made pancakes for breakfast.  i have been trying to trim down the grocery budget to $150 every 2 weeks, which for a family of 5 with at least 3 big eaters has been a challenge!

this syrup is really yummy and everyone liked it (even chris, surprise! score!) it is runnier than store-bought syrup but doesn't have any chemicals or corn syrup added.  and of course it's basically pure sugar so don't go pouring a cup of it over your pancakes!

image from here.  i tried this recipe initially and it was ok.  it was runnier and had a milder flavor than i was looking for. the recipe i am posting is from www.cooks.com

homemade Maple syrup-
3/4 C. water
1 3/4 C. - 2 C. brown sugar (depending on how strong you want the taste)
1 T. butter
1 tsp. maple extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1) bring water to a boil in small saucepan.
2) stir in sugar and butter until dissolved.
3) add in vanilla and maple extract; stir well.
4) continue to boil, slowly, stirring constantly until thickened, 4-5 mins.
serve warm, but syrup will thicken slightly more as it cools.
5) transfer to a mason jar with a lid.

*we store ours in the cupboard because we use it often enough that it doesn't last long.  you could easily make a double batch. if you don't use syrup very often then store in the fridge so it will keep longer.