Thick Maple Cream Sauce

Used as a topping for desserts like ice cream or even mixed into a savory dish to elevate it, this Maple Cream Sauce is the best new sauce of the season!

 

I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for ways to elevate dishes. And if you know me, I have a thing for sauces. But not just savory sauces like curry sauce or creamy pesto; there are plenty of dessert sauces too!

Queue this maple cream recipe. My favorite way to use it is to add it to ice cream or really any other dessert. However, you can totally take savory dishes like pork chops or grilled cheese to the next level by adding maple flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Maple Cream Sauce

An easy sauce that elevates almost any dish with one incredible main ingredient – maple syrup!

• Versatile sauce – Maybe the best part about this sauce is that you can use it on both sweet and savory dishes!
• Thick – Many sauces use just cream and maple syrup, which can be a thin consistency. Our maple cream sauce recipe uses a tiny bit of cornstarch to thicken the sauce, making it cling to foods instead of roll off. 
• Warm fall flavor – While there are many forms of maple syrup, this sauce is incredible because it brings the flavors of fall to anything you add it to

Ingredients

All of the ingredients needed to make this maple cream sauce can easily be found at your local grocery store.

• Pure maple syrup – Any time maple is the main flavor, I prefer to use real maple syrup. Grade B is preferred. Or if it’s in season, try making your own maple syrup!
• Heavy cream – This is what gives our sauce that silky, creamy texture.
• Unsalted butter – I always like to use unsalted butter when cooking. That way I can control the amount of salt that goes into the recipe.
• Cornstarch – We need something to help thicken the sauce a bit, and cornstarch does just that.

Difference Between Grade A and Grade B Maple Syrup

There are a number of differences between the two types of maple syrup.

Grade A Maple Syrup:

• Lighter in color and flavor.
• Typically used as a table syrup, topping for pancakes and waffles.
• Subdivided into Grade A Golden, Grade A Amber, Grade A Dark, and Grade A Very Dark for varying intensities.
• Popular for its delicate, mild taste.
• Preferred for its clarity and traditional maple flavor.
• Often used in cooking and baking for a subtle maple sweetness.

Grade B Maple Syrup:

• Darker in color and has a more robust, intense flavor.
• Typically used in cooking, baking, and flavoring recipes.
• Often called “cooking syrup” or “Grade B Dark.”
• Contains a more pronounced maple flavor, making it a favorite for culinary applications.
• Provides a strong, rich maple taste, which can enhance the flavors of dishes.
• Generally favored for recipes where the syrup’s flavor is a central component, such as in marinades, glazes, and desserts.

How to Make Maple Cream Sauce

You are going to love how easy it is to make this dessert sauce.

1. Whisk maple syrup and cream. In a small saucepan, whisk together the maple syrup and heavy cream until blended and warm.
2. Add butter and simmer. Add the butter. Simmer to allow water to evaporate.
3. Whisk in cornstarch. Ladle out a small amount of the maple cream, whisk with the cornstarch and return to the saucepan, whisking until no streaks remain.
4. Allow to thicken. Mixture should thicken while on heat, but will thicken more as it cools.
5. Get rid of clumps. For a perfectly smooth sauce, pour through a mesh sieve (in case of small cornstarch clumps). This step is optional.
6. Allow to cool. Pour into a container and allow to cool.
7. Enjoy! Serve over your favorite ice cream, pancakes, waffles, biscuits or more.

How to Use Maple Cream Sauce

This creamy sauce can be used on so many things both sweet and savory!

• Add it to the top of your favorite dessert like peach crisp, vanilla ice cream or maple ice cream
• Drizzle it on your favorite bread pudding
• Mix with cream cheese to make spreadable maple syrup
• Dip green apples into it
• Spread onto english muffins
• Use instead of hot syrup on french toast
• Add it to chicken breasts for a sweet and savory combo
• On a grilled cheese

Variations

There are plenty of ways you can change up this maple cream sauce to make it your own.

• Maple butter – Looking for more of a spread than a sauce? Mix this sauce with some softened butter for a delicious maple spread.
• Spice – Want to add a touch of spice? Try adding a pinch of freshly ground pepper, cayenne pepper or even a dash of hot sauce.
• Salt – Add a little salt (I prefer Maldon sea salt) to elevate that maple flavor even more.
• Add ins – Try adding in some pecans or even bacon! The saltiness of the bacon pairs nicely with the sweetness of the syrup.

Storage and Freezing

Storage: Store this maple cream sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator, you might want to reheat on the stove to achieve the desired consistency. It does harden when cooled.

Freezing: You can freeze this sauce in an airtight container. Thaw by allowing to come to room temperature.

More Recipes That Use Maple Syrup

• Maple Walnut Roasted Acorn Squash
• Monster Cookie Bars
• Maple Citrus Salmon with Orange-Avocado Salsa