National Maple Syrup Day is celebrated every year on December 17. It’s an unofficial food holiday observed across North America, and the easiest way to mark it is a warm breakfast with a generous pour of pure maple syrup. In 2026, it falls on a Thursday.
When Is National Maple Syrup Day?
December 17, every year. Nobody has pinned down who started it, but the timing suits it: it lands just as holiday brunch season begins, when a stack of pancakes and a pitcher of warm syrup feel right. In 2026, December 17 is a Thursday, which makes it a good excuse for a weekday treat breakfast.
Where Does Maple Syrup Come From?
Maple syrup starts as sap from maple trees, mostly sugar, red and black maples. Indigenous peoples of North America were the first to tap the trees and boil the sap into syrup, and European settlers later adopted the practice.
Sap is mostly water, with only about 2% sugar, and it only runs for a few weeks in late winter and early spring, when nights drop below freezing and days climb into the 40s. Producers collect it and boil it in an evaporator until enough water is gone, finishing at about 219°F.
That takes a lot of sap. On average, about 40 gallons make a single gallon of syrup, and it can take anywhere from 20 to 100 gallons depending on the season. Canada is the world’s largest producer; in the U.S., Vermont leads, followed by New York and Maine.
Maple Syrup Grades, Explained
Pure maple syrup sold in the U.S. is graded by color and taste, under grade names the USDA adopted in 2015. Lighter syrup tends to come early in the season and tastes milder; darker syrup comes later and tastes stronger. All four are pure maple syrup, so pick by how much maple flavor you want.
| Grade | Taste | Best for | Try it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden | Delicate | Drizzling when you want a gentle maple flavor | Original Bite-Sized Pancakes |
| Amber | Rich | Everyday pouring; the most popular grade | Bite-Sized Waffles |
| Dark | Robust | Glazes, baking, and pairing with smoky or spicy flavors | Maple bacon and waffle bites |
| Very Dark | Strong | Cooking and baking that needs bold maple flavor | Maple-cinnamon apple crêpes |
Maple Syrup vs. Pancake Syrup
Pure maple syrup has one ingredient: maple syrup. Pancake syrup, sometimes labeled table syrup, is usually corn syrup with added flavoring. Both taste good on a stack of pancakes, but only one comes from a tree.
To tell them apart, read the ingredient list. If it lists anything besides maple syrup, it’s pancake syrup. For National Maple Syrup Day, go for the real thing.
5 Easy Ways to Celebrate National Maple Syrup Day
Each of these takes about 15 minutes or less, and every one starts with a Belgian Boys breakfast that’s already cooked, so the maple gets the attention.
Maple Butter Pancake Bites
Beat ½ cup softened butter with 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup and a pinch of flaky salt until fluffy. Warm Bite-Sized Pancakes according to the package, then dot each one with maple butter while they’re hot. Golden or Amber syrup works best here.
Maple-Cinnamon Apple Crêpes
Slice 2 apples and cook them in 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until soft. Stir in 2 tablespoons maple syrup and ½ teaspoon cinnamon and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, until glossy. Spoon into warm Original Dairy Crêpes, fold and finish with a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Dark or Very Dark syrup stands up well to the apples and spice.
Maple Bacon and Waffle Bites
Bake bacon on a rack over a lined sheet pan at 400°F until nearly crisp, brush it with maple syrup and bake a few minutes more until lacquered. Cut it into pieces and thread onto small skewers with warm Bite-Sized Waffles. Add a pinch of cayenne to the syrup if you like sweet heat.
Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Maple Whipped Cream
Whip 1 cup cold heavy cream with 2 tablespoons maple syrup to soft peaks. Spoon it over warm Bite-Sized Belgian Chocolate Chips Pancakes and add a few raspberries. For more maple ideas for a breakfast tray, see our breakfast in bed ideas.
Warm Maple Waffle Sundae
Warm an Original Belgian Waffle, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and pour warm maple syrup over the top. Finish with a pinch of flaky salt. The pearl sugar in the waffle adds crunch under the syrup.
Hosting a crowd on December 17? Set out warm syrup in a couple of grades next to our DIY waffle bar, or build a full spread from our easy brunch ideas for a group. Our fall waffle toppings post has more ways to use maple. Prefer a dip to a drizzle? See our maple cottage cheese dip for Bite-Sized Pancakes on TikTok.
How to Store Maple Syrup
Keep unopened pure maple syrup in a cool, dark cupboard. Once it’s open, store it in the refrigerator. If mold ever appears, throw the syrup out; skimming it off and reboiling doesn’t make it safe, because some mold toxins survive boiling.
To serve it warm, heat it gently in a small saucepan or in short bursts in the microwave.
Make It a Belgian Boys Breakfast
Belgian Boys Bite-Sized Pancakes, Bite-Sized Waffles, Original Belgian Waffles and Original Dairy Crêpes are fully cooked and ready whenever you are, so National Maple Syrup Day can be as easy as warm, pour and eat. Check our Where to Buy page to find them near you.
National Maple Syrup Day FAQs
When is National Maple Syrup Day?
Every year on December 17. In 2026, it falls on a Thursday.
How much sap does it take to make maple syrup?
About 40 gallons of sap make one gallon of maple syrup on average, though it can range from 20 to 100 gallons depending on the season.
What’s the difference between maple syrup and pancake syrup?
Pure maple syrup is made only from boiled-down maple sap. Pancake syrup is usually corn syrup with added flavoring. Check the ingredient list: real maple syrup lists maple syrup and nothing else.
Which maple syrup grade is best for pancakes?
Golden or Amber. Golden has the most delicate flavor, and Amber is richer and the most popular all-purpose grade. Save Dark and Very Dark for baking, glazes and recipes that need strong maple flavor.
Does maple syrup need to be refrigerated?
Yes, once it’s opened. Unopened pure maple syrup keeps in a cool, dark place. Throw out any syrup that grows mold.
Who invented maple syrup?
Indigenous peoples of North America were the first to tap maple trees and boil the sap into syrup. European settlers later learned and adopted the practice.
Ready to pour? Find Belgian Boys near you.
