By Sarah Breeyear Hyde
Managing Editor, Director of Photography

One of my favorite memories as a child was going to a farm in East Montpelier, Vermont every winter with my mother and grandmother to get this crazy, delicious treat. We'd munch on the Sugar on Snow as the adults would sip coffee and catch up on things. I loved the texture of the crunchy snow under the hardening taffy-like syrup.

This centuries-old New England tradition combines the sweet taste of maple syrup with the fresh snow we find right outside our door during the winter. What is interesting about this concoction is that when the hot syrup is poured over the snow, it cools very quickly and turns the snow into a type of caramelly-textured candy. It can be eaten most easily with a fork and is the perfect complment to cider doughnuts and pickles.

Recipe for Sugar on Snow:

Heat maple syrup (REAL syrup) to the boiling point of water. Heating to 230 degrees is recommended. The higher the temperature the stiffer the syrup will end up. Pour over packed snow or ice immediately. Serve with a fork and enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
3/4 c. milk
1/4 c. canola oil
1/3 c. apple butter
1/3 c. pecans, chopped
2 T. sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In bowl, combine flour, 1/3 c. sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. In separate bowl, combine egg, milk and oil. Add to flour mixture.
4. Spoon tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup. Spoon teaspoon of apple butter, then remaining batter.
5. Combine pecans and 2 T. sugar. Sprinkle atop batter.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.

Ingredients:
1 large can pear halves
1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind
1/2 tsp. ginger, powdered
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted
1/2-1 c. chopped pecans
1 unbaked pie shell

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, butter and pecans to make crumb mixture.
3. Place 1/3 crumb mixture on pie crust.
4. Arrange pear halves on top. Add spices and lemon rind.
5. Add rest of crumb mixture on top.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes until crust is light brown.