TO MAKE GUESTS FEEL AT HOME WHEN THEY AWAKEN, there’s nothing like the smell of sizzling bacon, piping hot tea and coffee, and a bit of pancake on the griddle. It’s how I was taught to put friends and family at their ease at Rock Cottage, and how I like doing it today in my own home. This sweet, spicy, apple-fragrant syrup is the icing on the cakes, so to speak.
MAKES ABOUT
2 CUPS / 480 MILLILITERS SYRUP
½ cup / 100 grams granulated sugar
½ cup / 90 grams dark brown sugar, packed
2 cups / 475 milliliters apple cider
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons (½ stick) / 60 grams unsalted butter
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, orange juice, and cornstarch.
Bring the mixture to a low boil, stirring constantly. Once the syrup boils, lower the heat to low and stir in the butter. Continue to cook, whisking until the butter is completely melted and the sauce has thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle the syrup into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.