Ep 2. Vermont Tree Juice

In season 2 episode 2 of Baked in Vermont titled Vermont Tree Juice, host Gesine shares her love for all things maple syrup with viewers. As a native Vermonter, Gesine knows firsthand the importance of this sweet, gooey ingredient and incorporates it in unique ways to her baked goods.

The episode kicks off with Gesine visiting a local sugarhouse to learn about the production process of maple syrup. She watches as sap is collected from the nearby maple trees and boiled down into syrup. Gesine also samples the different grades of syrup, ranging from light to dark, and learns about their varying flavors and uses in baking.

Back in her own kitchen, Gesine puts her newfound knowledge to the test and creates a maple syrup-infused cake. She starts by making a buttermilk cake and adds maple syrup to the batter, resulting in a rich and flavorful cake. Using fresh Vermont apples and more maple syrup, Gesine creates a maple apple compote to layer between the cake layers. She also whips up a maple frosting to spread generously over the top of the cake.

Next up, Gesine bakes a batch of maple oatmeal cookies. These cookies are made with a combination of rolled oats, flour, and brown sugar, and are sweetened with plenty of maple syrup. Gesine also adds chopped pecans to the cookie dough for a crunchy texture. Once the cookies are baked, Gesine drizzles them with a maple glaze, taking them to the next level of sweetness.

Gesine then invites her friend and fellow baker, Joy the Baker, to join her in the kitchen. Together, they create a maple-glazed pumpkin bread. The bread is made with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger spices, along with pumpkin puree and maple syrup. The duo tops the bread with a maple glaze and pecans, making it a perfect fall treat.

Lastly, Gesine shows viewers how to make her maple caramel popcorn. She begins by popping popcorn kernels on the stovetop and then making a caramel sauce with maple syrup, brown sugar, and butter. Gesine coats the popcorn with the caramel sauce and adds a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty snack.

Throughout the episode, Gesine shares tips and tricks for working with maple syrup in baking. She encourages viewers to experiment with different grades of syrup to unlock new flavors and to not be afraid to add it to their favorite recipes. Gesine's passion for all things maple shines through in this episode, making it a must-watch for any fans of the sweet ingredient.

In Vermont Tree Juice, Gesine offers viewers a delicious lineup of maple syrup-inspired baked goods, while also educating them on the importance of the syrup industry in Vermont. Her enthusiasm for all things maple is contagious and will inspire viewers to incorporate the sweet ingredient into their own baking endeavors.