Poor Man's Pudding (Pouding Chomeur)

Living in Quebec you learn many things. One, you learn that shoveling snow is considered a winter pastime. Secondly, and more deliciously, you learn that maple syrup can be put on a heck of a lot more than just pancakes (crepes up here). This little recipe is call Poor Man's pudding, and there is probably a recipe for every single family in the Province. This is the one my wife's family makes, and is fantastic. Yes, it's a little sweet, but nothing an ice cold glass of milk can't fix!

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 18  ounces maple syrup (the real stuff)
• 18  ounces  35% cream
• 1⁄2 cup butter (room temperature)
• 1  cup sugar
• 2  eggs
• 2  cups flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  dash salt
• 1⁄2 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a large heavy pan, bring to a boil the maple syrup and the cream. Pay close attention, because it will boil over! Once a slow roll begins, continue for about 3 to 4 minutes, and remove from the heat.
3. With an electric beater, beat the butter and the sugar together. Add the eggs and continue beating for about 2 minutes.
4. Sift together the flour, baking powder and the salt. Add the dry ingredients into the the egg mixture, alternating with the milk.
5. Pour the batter into a 13x9-inch pan. Pour the maple syrup/cream mix on top.
6. Bake for 30 minutes.
7. Enjoy with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or all by itself!
8. *NOTE*: a variant that I saw on a local television cooking show called for doing all the above steps, but using single serving baking cups. Before adding anything, put in one or two frozen raspberries, then the batter, followed by the maple/cream mix.
9. Makes an impressive and tasty quick dessert on a cold winter night for guests.