Morel mushrooms for dessert? Try maple-candied morel mushrooms — and serve them with a side of spruce needle-maple whipped cream to blow minds!
Flash rinse and cut morels in half to remove any dirt/grit from surface and make sure no insects inside hollow morel bodies.
In cast iron or saucepan over medium heat, add butter. Once sizzling, add morel halves. Cook until golden brown on each side, about 3 minutes per side or 6 minutes total (may vary by pan and stove).
Add maple syrup to pan and sprinkle of salt IF you're using unsalted butter. Use spatula to make sure maple syrup coats all sides of morels and doesn't burn. Cook for about 2-3 minutes.
Remove pan from heat and immediately transfer morels to drying rack or parchment paper on dehydrator shelf. Dry for 24 hours on 110°F (43°C) if using a dehydrator or place morels on a cooling rack under a ceiling fan for 24 hours.
Put gooey pan over low heat and add 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Stir with spoon until all ingredients incorporated and no more sticky maple syrup left stuck to pan bottom.
Pour warm maple syrup cream into blender with conifer needles and blend for 1 minute. Pour ingredients back into pan over low heat and stir for another 3 minutes. Pour back into blender and blend for another 30 seconds, then strain cream through fine mesh strainer and into glass jar to remove all needles and particles. Place jar in fridge until cold and/or until it's time to serve.
Whip maple cream on high speed until peaks form. If you need more sweet in your whipped cream, slowly add it as you're whipping. For lighter, fluffier whipped cream that holds up longer, add a pinch of cream of tartar.
Plate and garnish with fresh, seasonal edible flowers.
Storage notes:
Candied morels: Store candied morels on parchment paper in airtight container. Can be stored at room temp or in fridge. Can store for at least 1-2 weeks.
Whipped cream: Store in glass jar in fridge for up to 24 hours.
Maple-candied morel mushrooms with spruce needle-whipped cream https://www.tyrantfarms.com/maple-candied-morel-mushrooms-dessert-recipe/