SaurabhLiquid sweeteners are often used in cooking and preparing drinks to add sweetness. There are many types which you can add to some baking goods, cakes, and other desserts.
Golden syrup is a liquid sweetener made of sugarcane juice. It is often compared and said to be similar to honey or corn syrup. The unique taste of nuttiness and sweetness of this sweetener makes it suitable for any recipe.
Golden syrup is a common ingredient in traditional British dishes like treacle tart, flapjack, etc. You can easily find it and it is even easier to add it to your recipes.
It is natural and won’t alter the rest of the ingredients in your recipe. However, if you don’t have it at hand or you want to try something else, what would the best substitutes be?
These 12 sweeteners are perfect for almost any recipe that requires Golden syrup. Take a look at each of them and pick what suits your recipe best.
Golden Syrup Substitutes
Since golden syrup is specific on its own it may be harder to find suitable replacements.
However, here you’ll find 12 alternatives that can provide you almost the same flavor and similar texture of golden syrup. The next sweeteners will perfectly replace golden syrup in almost any recipe. Just make sure that you add proper amounts.
1. Honey
Honey is quite similar to golden syrup, thus it can serve as a natural replacement. You can easily replace it in almost any recipe since they have a similar taste, color, and texture.
Keep in mind that honey can react differently to heat and may change the other flavors in the dish. That is why you need to adjust the quantity and increase if necessary.
2. Agave nectar
You can replace golden syrup with agave nectar at any time. It is a reliable option since the taste is very similar.
Agave nectar has a mild taste and the liquid adjusts based on the temperature. You can use it to make pies, cookies, or chocolate sauces. It may not be as healthy as some other substitutes, Agave nectar will provide a nice touch and taste to your dish.
3. Cane syrup
Golden syrup finds its replacement in cane sugar. As the name suggests, it is made from war sugar canes and it is boiled until the texture gets thick.
It works for almost any recipe that requires golden syrup. However, it does not crystallize which is a downside. Add proper amounts when replacing in almost any recipe.
4. Brown rice syrup
Brown rice syrup may sound weird, but it works for many recipes that call for Golden syrup. It is made from rice scratches which are broken down to sugars and turned into syrup.
It has a nutty flavor with dark color and thick consistency similar to Golden syrup. So, use equal amounts or adjust based on the other ingredients that you are using.
5. Maltose
A famous Asian product that is used in beer brewing is Maltose. It is an excellent replacement for golden syrup due to its similar taste and texture.
Maltose is made of two molecules of glucose and turned into a syrup. The sweet taste and health benefits are good to replace golden syrup.
Since it is common in Asia, their cuisine enjoys the taste and benefits that Maltose provides. You can add in many food dishes and even in savory dishes like meats. It will offer crispy texture and moisture while the meat is cooking.
6. Maple syrup
A commonly used syrup that can successfully replace golden syrup is maple syrup.
It may be a bit expensive compared to the other products, but the flavor and thickness are suitable for almost every recipe that calls for Golden syrup.
It has a dark color and it may be runnier in texture. You can use it in almost any recipe that asks for golden syrup. Just add a suitable amount.
7. Molasses
Another perfect solution to replace golden syrup is to use molasses.
Molasses is a sweetener made from processing sugar beets or sugarcane. It is also thick and has a dark color. Therefore, it is not similar to golden syrup in those aspects.
However, molasses has a lot of health benefits like vitamins and minerals that are good for your body. You can replace either equal amounts or adjust based on the other ingredients.
8. Treacle
Another thick syrup that makes a perfect substitute for golden syrup is treacle. This syrup has a strong taste with traces of bitterness and very rich color.
Treacle is made from sugarcane or sugar beats which are turned into sugar. It has a caramel taste which is good for cakes or any other sweet recipe that calls for golden syrup.
9. Light corn syrup
One of the most obvious substitutes for golden syrup is light corn. You can use it to prepare delicious cookies. It is made from cornstarch and except for the light ones there is also dark corn syrup.
People usually add light corn to give a more softening texture to their recipe. The mild and sweet taste is perfect for baking or any other recipe that calls for golden syrup.
10. Dark treacle
You can also substitute golden syrup with dark treacle in different recipes. It is known as black treacle due to the dark color, so keep in mind that it may affect your recipe.
This type of syrup is a good replacement, especially if you need to focus on the texture. It has a stronger taste so make sure to adjust the quantity you add.
11. Rice malt syrup
Another suggestion that can help to replace golden syrup is rice malt syrup. This is another sweetener made of organic brown rice. It is fructose-free and has other health benefits.
It is suitable for everyone including, vegans. The taste of this syrup is similar to butterscotch and has a caramel taste with a subtle sweetness.
The mellow taste won’t overpower the other ingredients in your recipe. Use it and add it to baking goods, cakes, other desserts, and even drinks.
12. Homemade golden syrup substitute
The best substitute for golden syrup is homemade golden syrup. This sweetener is not hard to make at home since most of the ingredients are easy to find and even easier to use.
All you have to do is heat up ¼ cup of sugar in a saucepan. Make sure to shake the pan until you see the sugar spreading out in one layer on the button of the pan. This way you’ll avoid the texture sticking on the pan.
Next, you have to add a teaspoon of water and ½ teaspoon of vinegar. Mix it all together. Add it over low heat and you can cook for four to five minutes. Afterward, increase the heat and cook for an additional five minutes until the color becomes caramel.
Make sure not to stir until the mix stops bubbling. Lastly, remove the saucepan from the heat. After you get the proper texture, the mix is ready to use in your recipe.
Related Questions
Can you replace honey with golden syrup?
You can use honey to replace golden syrup in most recipes. Honey resembles golden syrup. So, the sweet taste of honey will be suitable for most of the recipes that call for golden syrup.
What is golden syrup in America?
In the US, this is a thick syrup with an amber color. It is made by processing refined sugar cane or sugar beet juice into sugar. It is a part of many recipes, especially baked goods and different desserts.
Is golden syrup the same as honey?
No, they are not the same but they are both common sweeteners.
When compared, the golden syrup has a liquid form whereas the honey tends to have a distinct flavor and may affect the taste of some foods.
You can use them as a substitute for each other.
What can I use instead of golden syrup in gingerbread?
Corn syrup is a suitable replacement for golden syrup when you are making gingerbread. It is a slightly thinner syrup that you can use in equal amounts.
