Maple Stars Recipes

Steps:

• Make the cookies: Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and maple sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 4 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla; beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to medium low; add the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap; shape into a disk. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Divide the dough into thirds. Working with 1 piece at a time, roll out the dough on a floured surface until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out stars with a 2-inch cutter; arrange 1 inch apart on 2 ungreased baking sheets and sprinkle with gold sugar. Refrigerate the cutouts 15 minutes.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are set and lightly browned on the bottoms, 13 to 16 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets.
• Make the filling: Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth. Let cool. Stir in the butter with a rubber spatula, then stir in the confectioners¿ sugar, maple extract and lemon juice until smooth. Sandwich between the cookies.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place each yam on its side and slice crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds.
• Using a 3-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out a star shape from each round. Discard the scraps.
• Place the stars in the baking dish. Pour the orange juice and syrup over the top, and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, until yams are soft to the touch of a fork, then remove the foil and bake for approximately 30 more minutes, or until yams start to become candied. Keep a watchful eye on stars and remove early if the pan juices reduce to the point of burning. To avoid any breakage, serve directly from the baking dish with a spatula.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, combine the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, and brandy. Peel the pears, halve lengthwise, and remove the seeds with a melon baller or teaspoon. Add the pears to the baking dish and coat with the maple mixture. Arrange the pears cut-side down, and bake until tender, about 50 minutes, basting occasionally. Meanwhile, put the cranberries in a small bowl and cover with hot water; set aside until plump. Drain and coarsely chop the cranberries.
• Transfer the pears to plates. Pour the baking juices into a small bowl, and whisk in 1 or 2 teaspoons of water to blend into a sauce. Top each pear with a small scoop of frozen yogurt, and scatter granola and cranberries over the pears. Drizzle the syrup over the top. Serve immediately.