If you are ready to try something different than maple syrup and you really like that hickory smoke flavor here is a recipe for you.
Shagbark Hickory Syrup is easy to make, simply collect some shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) bark chunks. Get some right off the tree so they aren’t dirty. Rinse your bark well to remove any bugs and debris. Bake the bark until it releases a smokey scent (350 degree oven for 20 mins). Put a few chunks of bark in a pot and cover with water. Simmer for 30 mins, then strain out the bark. Add sugar and dissolve it in the boiling water. Keep stirring until it has reduced by 20%. Allow to cool a little and poor the liquid into syrup jars to let it finish cooling.
Hickory bark syrup can be used as a sweetener for dishes that could use a more sweet smoky flavor. It tastes great on baked squash. It can also be mixed into drinks as a simple syrup to remind you of sitting around the campfire.
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