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Maple taffy (AKA maple syrup on snow) is a sugar candy made by boiling maple syrup to the soft ball stage, then pouring the hot syrup on clean packed snow. Get step-by-step instructions for how to make maple syrup taffy on snow, as well as how to make maple taffy without snow. Maple taffy on snow is a classic wintertime treat in Canada, Vermont, and other regions. Now you can enjoy it too!
🍁 How to Make Maple Taffy
What is maple taffy made of? Here are the ingredients you need to make maple taffy on snow:
- ½ cup maple syrup (100% pure maple syrup)
- Clean packed snow
Get a printable recipe card below!
You’ll also need a candy thermometer, wooden popsicle sticks, a small pot, and a whisk to make maple candy. Here are the directions for maple taffy snow candy:
Pour real maple syrup in a small pot over medium heat on the stovetop. (I recommend using a non-stick pot to waste less syrup.)
Heat the maple syrup to the soft ball stage 240F (116C) using a candy thermometer. Whisk it occasionally (it will get bubbly) and watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
Pour the maple syrup in 6-8 long thin strips on a well-packed clean bed of snow. The syrup strips will cool quickly, allowing you to pick up the thin lines and quickly wind them around popsicle sticks. Enjoy immediately.
Using packed snow is important here. If you try to pour the hot syrup on fluffy fresh snow, it melts into the snow and the pops become very watery since so much snow sticks.
Heating the syrup is also important for the consistency of taffy, making a chewy and soft candy. If you heat it to the hard crack stage (as we did with maple lollipops) you will end up with hard candy.
How do you eat maple taffy?
After winding the maple syrup taffy on sticks, you can eat it like a lollipop. This is a delicious and fun treat for kids, and the perfect activity for snow days!
How to Store Maple Taffy
This maple taffy does not store well. I tried storing them on top of a bowl of cold snow in the freezer, but the candy essentially melted away over several hours. Either heat less maple syrup so you won’t have leftovers, or hold a maple taffy party.
⭐ How to Make Maple Taffy without Snow
To make maple syrup taffy without snow, you can use finely crushed ice instead. If you have a snow cone maker, packed shaved ice works as a snow substitute. Now southerners can enjoy this Canadian and New England seasonal tradition too!
Watch How to Make It!
Maple Taffy (How to Make Maple Syrup Taffy)
Ingredients
- ½ cup maple syrup (100% pure maple syrup)
- clean packed snow or finely shaved ice
Instructions
- Pour real maple syrup into a small pot over medium heat on the stovetop. (I recommend using a non-stick pot to waste less syrup.)
- Heat the maple syrup to the soft ball stage 240°F (116°C) using a candy thermometer. Whisk it occasionally (it will get bubbly) and watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
- Pour the maple syrup in 6-8 long thin strips on a well-packed clean bed of snow. The syrup strips will cool quickly, allowing you to pick up the thin lines and quickly wind them around popsicle sticks. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Even though it’s a natural product, maple syrup is an added sugar that should be limited in the diet. That said, those of us who grew up in northern areas tend to enjoy it only once or twice over the winter anyway. I guess you can say maple syrup snow candy is a special treat that nature helps moderate for us, so enjoy it while you can! Even though many of us have been enjoying maple syrup on snow for decades, there may be small risks associated with eating snow. If you’re immunocompromised or in another high-risk group for food-borne illness, I recommend using finely shaved ice instead of clean snow. Nutrition information is for one maple taffy.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
FAQs
What is the tradition of maple taffy?
According to Wikipedia, maple taffy (AKA maple toffee) is part of the traditional culture in Quebec and other parts of Canada, as well as northern New England. The candy was traditionally made in late winter or early spring during maple sugaring season. Maple syrup makers would boil maple sap to a stage in between maple syrup and maple sugar or maple butter.
Saltwater taffy is a different sort of treat but may come in maple flavor. It’s typically made of corn syrup and white sugar, and often contains artificial flavors.
What does maple taffy taste like?
Maple taffy is soft, chewy, and extremely sweet. It has a slightly stronger maple flavor than maple syrup, with some notes of caramel. It’s the perfect treat for cold days.
👩🍳 More Maple Syrup Desserts
Here are some other ways to sweeten your day with maple syrup snacks:
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂