<p><strong></strong>While you might be used to drizzling maple syrup over your pancakes, did you know it’s just as good for elevating your favourite festive dishes and drinks? </p><p>When it comes to choosing the right bottle for your cupboard, Buckwud’s 100% pure, organic Canadian maple syrup, drawn from maple trees, is perfect for adding a natural sweetness to any recipe. Not only is it the UK’s number one bestselling maple syrup*, but its rich amber colour and distinctive flavour, with buttery caramel and mild smoky notes, have also earned it a Great Taste award. </p><p>If you want to experiment with Buckwud in your Christmas cooking, here are just a few ways you can use it to bring something new and delicious to the table – plus a crowd-pleasing chicken recipe to help you get started. </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/buckwud_organic_maple/" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored"><strong>Discover Buckwud</strong></a></p><h3 id="terrific-trimmings-c093b60a"><strong>Terrific trimmings</strong> </h3><p>Roasted veggie sides are an essential part of any Christmas Day spread, and Buckwud Maple Syrup offers an easy way to enhance their natural flavour. </p><p>Melt it down with butter and herbs, then drizzle over carrots and parsnips before roasting for a beautifully caramelised sweetness. Or combine it with balsamic vinegar to create a tangy, sticky glaze for Brussels sprouts that might even tempt the sprout sceptics. </p><h3 id="gorgeous-glazes-b8eaa880"><strong>Gorgeous glazes</strong> </h3><p>Want a showstopping centrepiece for the big day? With Buckwud Maple Syrup, you can create the most mouthwatering sweet and savoury glazes for your meats. </p><p>Try mixing it with wholegrain mustard, then brushing it over roast ham – or even pigs in blankets – to balance out the saltiness. Alternatively, if you’re cooking a classic turkey, you could pair it with herbs and butter to baste the skin, giving it a lovely golden colour. </p><h3 id="brilliant-bakes-b2dcd427"><strong>Brilliant bakes</strong> </h3><p>Whether you’re making homemade gifts or preparing a festive dessert, Buckwud Maple Syrup works well in all sorts of cakes and bakes. </p><p>Its caramelly flavour pairs perfectly with warming spices, such as cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, making it ideal for gingerbread biscuits and fruit cakes. You could also use it to glaze a batch of seasonal sausage rolls or sweeten the filling of freshly baked mince pies. </p><h3 id="creative-cocktails-2a2250fa"><strong>Creative cocktails</strong> </h3><p>Buckwud Maple Syrup makes a wonderful alternative to granulated sugar or syrup in cocktails, with its rich toffee and vanilla notes pairing particularly well with whisky and rum. </p><p>Stir it into a classic old fashioned with a dash of orange bitters or use it to whip up a festive maple margarita. It’s also great for adding some extra sweetness to a steaming cup of mulled wine or cider. </p>
<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2026/11/buckwud-recipe-79e473c.jpg" width="1200" height="1200" alt="Mustard maple chicken with creamy greens in a bowl; Buckwud maple syrup and fresh cabbage placed behind it on a table" title="Mustard maple chicken with creamy greens in a bowl; Buckwud maple syrup and fresh cabbage placed behind it on a table" />
<p><strong>Mustard maple chicken with creamy greens </strong> </p><p><strong>SERVES</strong> 4 <strong>PREP</strong> 15 mins <strong>COOK</strong> 40 mins <strong>EASY</strong> </p><p>160ml Buckwud Organic Maple Syrup </p><p>4 tbsp Dijon mustard </p><p>30g apple cider vinegar </p><p>2 tbsp soy sauce </p><p>8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs </p><p>3-4 sprigs thyme </p><p><strong>For the greens</strong> </p><p>40g butter </p><p>2 leeks, finely sliced </p><p>6 Savoy cabbage leaves, stems removed and finely sliced </p><p>1 tbsp plain flour </p><p>200ml chicken stock </p><p>1 tsp Dijon mustard </p><p>120ml double cream </p><p><strong>1</strong> Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Add the maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce and some seasoning to a large ovenproof dish, then whisk well to combine. </p><p><strong>2</strong> Pat the chicken thighs dry and place them into the baking dish, turning to coat in the sauce. Tuck the thyme sprigs around the chicken and roast for 30-40 mins, until the chicken is deeply golden and slightly charred, and the sauce is bubbling and slightly thickened. Leave to rest for around 10 mins. </p><p><strong>3</strong> Meanwhile, to make the greens, melt the butter in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the leeks and cabbage, then fry for 5-7 mins, stirring regularly until soft and well coated. </p><p><strong>4 </strong>Mix in the flour, then add the stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the mustard and cream, season generously and bring to a gentle boil. </p><p><strong>5 </strong>Serve the chicken with the sauce spooned over the top and the creamy greens on the side. </p><h4 id="follow-buckwud-on-instagram-for-more-festive-recipes-bae11967">Follow Buckwud on Instagram for more festive recipes </h4><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/buckwud_organic_maple/" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored"><strong>Explore</strong></a> </p><p> </p><p><sup>*Source: Circana IRI, All UK Outlets, 52 w/e unit sales 3 Oct 2026.</sup> </p><p><sup>BUCKWUD® is a registered trademark of Rowse Honey Limited.</sup> </p>
