The Best Dark Corn Syrup Alternatives (2024)

Trending Videos

The Best Dark Corn Syrup Alternatives (1)

A number of recipes, including pecan pie and candied sweet potatoes, call for dark corn syrup. If you just discovered that you don't have any inthe pantry, there are a few substitutes you can use instead of running to the store.The easiest and best dark corn syrup substitute is made with light corn syrup and molasses. But if you don't have those available, there are other options.

The Best Substitute

Dark corn syrup is mostly made of the same ingredients as lightcorn syrup. The darker version simply has the addition of refiner's sugar, which is a type of molasses. It's the refiner's sugar that gives dark corn syrup its nearly black color and caramel-molasses flavor. By adding molasses to light corn syrup, you'll replicate that flavor.

Assuming that you have both light corn syrup and molasses in your pantry, this is the best solution: Mix three parts light corn syrup and one part molasses. Use the same measurement of this mix in place of the dark corn syrup called for in your recipe.

No Light Corn Syrup Substitute

If you don't have light corn syrup, or are trying to avoid corn syrup altogether, use one of these in its place:

  • Simple Syrup:If you have molasses, a thick simple syrup is an acceptable substitute for light corn syrup. To make it, stir 1 cup of white sugar into 1/4 cup of hot water until it is completely dissolved, then allow it to cool. This replaces 1 cup of light corn syrup, but the volume is entirely different: Use the 1/4 cup of simple syrup to replace 1 cup of light corn syrup in the original substitution and add 1/4 cup of molasses to complete the dark corn syrup substitute. You may need to adjust the other liquids in your recipe.
  • Honey:You can also use honey as a substitute for light corn syrup. Mix one part of molasses to three parts of honey to make a dark corn syrup substitute. This version will have a comparable thickness and volume but will be sweeter than the corn syrup. You may need to make some adjustments to your recipe to account for the additional sweetness.

More Substitutes

When there's no molasses in the house, use these substitutions for dark corn syrup:

  • Brown Sugar:Brown sugarcontains some molasses and will give your recipe some of the intended molasses flavor. To liquify it, make a simple syrup from brown sugar and water. Karo (the company that makes the best-known corn syrups) recommends 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar dissolved in 3 to 4 tablespoons of water. The high proportion of sugar will dissolve best in hot water and you may even want to heat it up on the stove while stirring constantly.
  • Maple-FlavoredSyrup:Also called "pancake syrup," this is often simply corn syrup with maple flavoring. In a pinch, it can be substituted for an equal amount of dark corn syrup. Your recipe will take on a maple flavor rather than the taste of molasses, but that could prove to be just as tasty. Consider how maple will work with the other ingredients in the recipe. If the flavor combination sounds good to you, give it a try.
The Best Dark Corn Syrup Alternatives (2024)

FAQs

The Best Dark Corn Syrup Alternatives? ›

The best dark corn syrup substitutes are black treacle, dark maple syrup, and buckwheat honey.

What is a good substitute for dark corn syrup? ›

Molasses can be used in place of dark corn syrup in an equal amount when making baked goods, glazes, and sauces. Alternatively, you can combine 1 part molasses with 3 parts light corn syrup to match the color, flavor, and consistency of dark corn syrup more closely.

What is the difference between corn syrup and dark corn syrup? ›

Light corn syrup has a mild, sweet flavor and is absolutely colorless. Dark corn syrup gets its brown color from the inclusion of molasses, which also adds a richer flavor. Light and dark corn syrup can be used interchangeably in almost every instance, with slight flavor variances.

Is molasses the same as dark corn syrup? ›

Like molasses, dark syrup is a liquid sweetener with dark brown color. But unlike molasses, dark corn syrup has a fairly simple taste compared to molasses' robust flavor profile. BTW, you can use dark corn syrup as a 1:1 swap for molasses.

What is the best replacement for brown rice syrup? ›

Looking for a substitute for brown rice syrup? Try honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, liquid stevia, molasses, corn syrup, or date syrup—each with its own unique flavor and nutritional benefits.

What is a natural replacement for corn syrup? ›

The best corn syrup substitutes for baking are brown rice syrup, maple syrup, agave, tapioca syrup, honey, golden syrup, and black treacle. Whether you're avoiding using corn syrup, are allergic to corn, or don't have it on hand, there are a ton of substitutes for corn syrup to try instead.

What is the flavor of dark corn syrup? ›

Dark corn syrup turns a caramel color because of that molasses addition. This gives it a distinct flavor that tends to add a sweet, smoky taste to foods. It's often used in dishes like pecan pie and gingerbread cookies.

Does dark corn syrup go bad? ›

Proper storage means keeping the corn syrup in a cool, dry place and tightly sealing the container after each use to prevent contamination and moisture ingress. Corn syrup does not typically spoil the way that dairy products do because it doesn't contain proteins or fats that can quickly degrade.

Is Karo dark corn syrup high fructose? ›

Karo® Dark Corn Syrup

Karo® Dark combines the natural sweetness of corn syrup with a small amount of molasses and has no high fructose corn syrup. With its more robust flavor and color, it is ideal for many baked goods.

What does corn syrup do to your body? ›

Studies show that high fructose corn syrup increases your appetite and promotes obesity more than regular sugar. “High fructose corn syrup also contributes to diabetes, inflammation, high triglycerides and something we call non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” says Dr.

Is grandma's molasses dark? ›

Original molasses: amber color, used to sweeten hot cereals, yogurts or hot drinks (like coffee, tea or cocoa).

Is molasses healthier than maple syrup? ›

Maple syrup has a higher sugar content and a lower mineral content than blackstrap molasses, but its sweet taste is more universal. Two teaspoons of maple syrup provide 22 percent of your daily requirement of manganese, a mineral essential to survival.

Why put corn syrup in cookies? ›

So, when you mix corn syrup into your cookie batter, all of that moisture will make and keep your baked cookies deliciously tender. The texture of cookies benefits from corn syrup as well. As you combine your ingredients to make your cookie batter, corn syrup will pull some of the surrounding air into your batter.

What are the disadvantages of brown rice syrup? ›

No human studies exist on the health effects of brown rice syrup. However, its high GI, lack of nutrients, and risk of arsenic contamination are significant downsides.

Is brown rice syrup inflammatory? ›

Consuming too much brown rice syrup and other sweeteners can also cause chronic, mild inflammation and raise blood glucose levels, though not as much as sugar.

Which is healthier, honey or brown rice syrup? ›

Glycemic Index - The Point To Be Noted

Honey has a relatively low glycemic load of 10 and a glycemic index of 58, which surely sets it in a better position when compared to 98 GI of brown rice syrup. Glycemic index is the measure of how quickly a food can raise the body's blood sugar.

Can you use light Karo syrup instead of dark? ›

Yes. Karo light and dark corn syrups perform similarly in recipes and can usually be used interchangeably. Recipes usually specify which type to use but the choice may be guided by personal preference. Typically, light corn syrup is used when a delicately sweet flavor is desired, such as in fruit sauces and jams.

What is dark syrup for baking? ›

Dark syrup is a sugar beet and cane sugar syrup used in Scandinavian cooking and baking. It might be difficult to find outside of Europe. The flavor of dark syrup is different from brown syrup, even though both syrups are made with brown cane sugar.

Can honey be substituted for corn syrup? ›

Honey has a similar consistency as corn syrup, but it tends to be a bit sweeter. While it does make for a great swap in baked goods, it should not be used for candy making. Use a 1:1 swap for corn syrup, but do keep in mind that honey may impart a distinct flavor when using it as an alternative.

What is a substitute for dark maple syrup? ›

  • Molasses. Photo by Cathy Scola. Molasses is an excellent swap for maple syrup because its consistency and flavor are very similar. ...
  • Sugar and Water. Peter Dazeley. ...
  • Brown Sugar Simple Syrup. Liudmila Chernetska. ...
  • Cane Syrup. studiocasper. ...
  • Corn Syrup. kuppa_rock. ...
  • Agave Nectar. Lara Hata.
Aug 31, 2023

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 6014

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.