The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival may be over for another year, but the stock of syrup hasn’t run dry. The Festival was a huge success this year with a warmer than usual day for the event. We certainly found it to be even more exciting as we were in the heart of the action at our new downtown location.

Last year was less than stellar for maple syrup in Ontario as spring arrived early and warmed up too quickly for the sap. Maple syrup producers need the temperature to be about -5˚C during the night and 5˚C during the day to ensure ample sap yield. We’ve heard it around town that this year was a great year for maple syrup. We’re definitely taking advantage of the bounty and incorporating the sweet elixir into many delicious treats and savoury dishes around the kitchen, including this favourite that we call Maple Kissed Cheesecake.

We’ve spiced up the crust a little bit by using gingersnap cookies instead of graham crackers, and we’ve added some crunchy texture with the toasted pecans. This, combined with the maple syrup, is just lovely!

Maple Kissed Cheesecake

Ingredients:

  • 24 gingersnap cookies
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup toasted pecans
  • 32 oz. of cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 cup 35% (whipping) cream

Instructions:

  • In a food processor, pulse the gingersnaps to a crumb, stir in melted butter and sugar and pulse until combined. Add pecans and pulse once more.
  • Press evenly into a spring form pan.
  • Bake in oven for approximately 10 minutes, pull from oven and cool.
  • Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat softened cream cheese and scrape bowl occasionally. Once all the cheese is whipped, add the maple syrup and eggs, one at a time.
  • Beat the mix until the egg is incorporated and add another egg.
  • Add vanilla and cream and mix until it is just combined.
  • Pour the filling into the gingersnap lined pan and bake in the middle of the oven at 325˚F for 1 hour.
  • The cake will set as it chills. Once chilled, slice with hot knife and drizzle with maple syrup and whipped cream.
  • Enjoy!

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