Make it Yourself: Different Syrups

The next do it ourself project is in the form of having our own syrups to have on hand. If you look at a store purchased bottle or can of syrup (overpriced) one of the ingredients listed first is corn syrup. I'm not against corn syrup I just know we can do better by making it ourselves.

I'm not asking that you set aside every weekend to make all this make it yourself food. Just do it whenever you can and when you feel up to it. If the kids are in bed and hubby is "awake" in the recliner watching football, this could be the perfect opportunity to escape into the kitchen and whip up a batch of something.

Chocolate Syrup Mix: Mix together 1 cup baking cocoa with 2 1/2 cups sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir in 2 cups of water and boil for 3 minutes. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla and cool. Refrigerate. (See isn't that easy and fast?)

To make one cup of chocolate milk: Stir 3 tablespoons of homemade chocolate syrup into a cup or glass, mix in 1 cup milk and drink. (or if your children are like my grandchildren, they want A LOT of chocolate syrup in the glass.)

Another recipe for Instant Cocoa Mix:1 pound instant nonfat dry milk; 3/4 cup baking cocoa; 1 cup sugar. Mix together with a pastry blender or if you want it finer just whir it up in a blender or food processor. To make 1 cup hot cocoa: Put 1/3 cup Cocoa mix in a cup. Stir in a little cold water to make a paste. Carefully fill the cup with boiling water, stir slowly and drink.

Chocolate Sauce Mix: Mix 1 cup baking cocoa with 2 cups sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir in 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil or margarine. Stir in 2 cups water. Cook and s tir for 6 minutes. Cool and refrigerate. Use on plain cakes, ice cream or whenever you need chocolate sauce.

Maple Syrup Mix: Boil 3/4 cup water with 1 1/2 cups corn syrup. Add 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring or "mapline." Stir well and cool. This will make 1 pint of maple like syrup.

Brown Sugar Syrup: Stir together 2 cups water and 2 cups brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until the sugar is melted completely and there are no lumps. Store in a bottle in the refrigerator. Use with pancakes, waffles or whenever you need dark syrup.

Golden Caramel Syrup: In a saucepan combine 2 3/4 cups light brown sugar and 2 2/3 cups water. Cook, stir and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium or low and cook about 10 minutes more to make a syrup. Cool and store in refrigerator. This is a good syrup to make if you have hard brown sugar and don't know what else to do with it.

If you're wanting a way to make different flavored syrups for pancakes, waffles or french toast--or a great way to flavor milk in different ways I found this recipe at allrecipes.com.

Milk Flavored Syrup: 2 cups white sugar; 1 cup water; 1 pkg. unsweetened fruit flavored drink mix. In a saucepan over high heat combine water and sugar. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from heat, allow to cool and stir in powder. To serve put 1 tablespoon syrup into 8 ounces of milk and stir--or to taste. You can also mix this with carbonated water for a fruit flavor soda. This recipe was submitted by Leo M. Lalande at allrecipes.com.