Maple sugar candy is a favorite treat in New England, Canada, or anywhere that maple syrup is common. You can often buy maple sugar candy at grocery stores and candy stores. However, another option is to make your own. It's a time-consuming process, but it is not that difficult, even if you have no previous candy-making experience. Follow the instructions below to make your own delicious maple sugar candy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

This recipe makes an 8 x 8 pan full of maple candy. If you would like to make more, you can double the recipe ingredients and use a 9 x 13 pan instead. Otherwise, you will follow the same instructions as seen below.

The candy is best when you use Grade A maple syrup. However, it can also be made with Grade B syrup if that's what you have available.

Instructions:

Pour the maple syrup into a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Turn the temperature of the stove to medium, and watch the syrup closely as it comes to a simmer. If it starts moving past a gentle simmer and towards a rolling boil, you need to turn down the heat a little.

As the mixture is simmering, it will generate a lot of foam. To keep the foam under control, pour the tablespoon of oil into a small bowl. Dip a spoon into the oil, and then run the oil-topped spoon over the top of the foam. This will help keep the foam from bubbling up past the side of the pan.

Once the syrup has been simmering for a few minutes, insert a candy thermometer into the syrup, and watch it closely. When it registers 245 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the pan from the heat. This will take at least 20 minutes, so be patient. 

Let the syrup mixture cool for 10 minutes. Then, pour it into a heat-proof mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat this mixture on low speed. It will slowly become fluffy and lighter in color. When it does, pour it into your baking dish. Place the dish in the refrigerator for four hours or longer. 

Remove the candy from the fridge, and use a knife to cut it into even, 1/2-inch squares. Pop them out of the pan, and enjoy.

Once you make maple candy once, the process will become easier, and you're likely to do it again and again.