Best maple recipes

Nine delicious recipes: breads, smoothies, cocktails, breakfasts, condiments and desserts, all sweetened naturally with pure maple syrup.

It's that time of year again -- yes, spring. And if you've lived in New England, you know that means it's also the time when the sap starts running and the maple sugaring season kicks into high gear.

One of the ways I try to keep things healthy around here is by using natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar whenever I can. And maple syrup is one of my favorite ways to sweeten my recipes naturally.

So I'm treating you to a springtime roundup of some of my favorite recipes made with 100 percent pure maple syrup to celebrate the new maple season (and please, just back away from that bottle of Aunt Jemima or I'll have to slap it out of your hands!).

1. Maple Candied Pecans
2. Granola Breakfast Bread
3. Pumpkin Maple Smoothie
4. Boozy Maple Bacon Jam
5. Crockpot Apple Pie Oatmeal
6. Pancake Breakfast Muffins
7. Smoky Bacon Cheddar Maple Bacon Beer Bread
8. Green Mountain Mule
9. Slow Cooker Bread Pudding

What's your favorite way to use maple syrup, short of pouring it over a stack of pancakes or a hot Belgian waffle? Leave a comment: The Ninj wants to know.