Salted Smoky Maple Pecan Fudge

Makes 36 pieces

Ingredients

  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter, chopped
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pure Maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, roasted and roughly chopped
  • Kosher Salt, to taste

Method

  1. Line and butter an 8-inch square baking pan or silicone pan with baking parchment, allowing the parchment to extend over sides of pan
  2. Mix the evaporated milk, brown sugar and butter in large saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture reaches 236°F on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage). (Be patient- this will take about 30 minutes. Also DO NOT leave it unattended!)
  3. Remove from heat and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer. (Careful! The sides of the bowl will become VERY hot)
  4. Add the icing sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract and liquid smoke and beat together with on low speed. Increase speed to medium; beat until thickened and smooth.
  5. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and fold in the chopped pecans. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle the top of the fudge with kosher salt to your taste. (I usually use 2 good pinches, evenly sprinkled)
  6. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Use baking parchment to lift out of pan onto cutting board.
  7. Cut into 36 squares and enjoy!
  8. If stored at room temperature this will keep for up to a week in an air-tight container, if stored in the fridge it will last for up to two weeks

Sweet Biscuits w/ Vanilla Cream & Maple Macerated Pineberries

Makes 12 Biscuits

Ingredients

Biscuits

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup butter
  • 2 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • egg wash (1 egg + 2 Tablespoon water, whisked together)
  • Turbinado sugar

Vanilla Cream

  • ½ cup whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Maple Macerated Pineberries

  • 2 ½ cups fresh pineberries, topped and quartered
  • 1 Tablespoon Maple Sugar

Method

Maple Macerated Pineberries

  1. In a bowl combine the pineberries and maple sugar, mixing well. Set aside to macerate on the countertop for at least 30 minutes before serving

Vanilla Cream

  1. Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the cream, sugar and vanilla extract on medium-high until stiff peaks, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Chill in the refrigerator until needed

Biscuits

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F
  2.  In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, mixing well
  3. Using a large hole cheese grater, grate in the butter, then cut using a pastry cutter, or knife, until mixture resembles a coarse meal. You will still be able to see the butter in pieces pea-size or slightly smaller
  4. Make a well in the centre of the dry mix
  5. Mix together the lemon juice, vanilla, milk and the egg
  6. Pour into the well and mix until just combined to a dough ball
  7. Lightly flour a countertop, transfer the dough from the bowl and roll (using a floured rolling pin) to 1 inch thickness
  8.  Cut out biscuits with 3inch biscuit cutter and place on parchment lined baking sheet
  9. Lightly brush the tops of the biscuits with the egg wash
  10. Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top of the biscuits
  11. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a rack before serving

To Serve

  1. Slice each biscuit crossways in half
  2. Spoon some of the vanilla cream on the bottom half
  3. Top with a generous amount of the maple macerated pineberries
  4. Top with the other half of the biscuit
  5. Repeat with additional dollops of vanilla cream and macerated pineberries
  6. Serve and enjoy!