If you frequently bake at home, you know how crucial corn syrup is to several dishes. It’s a typical component of many foods, including caramel, cookies, pies, fudge, cakes, and more.
Corn syrup is created by removing the glucose from corn and processing it into a syrup. It’s a lump of inverted sugar, so it won’t crystallize precisely if you’re creating candy at home.
However, you may use many great alternatives if you don’t have any corn syrup. Some of these substitutes for corn syrup are excellent all-around, while others are best for baking but not for producing candy.
Some ingredients may only be substituted while preparing food, including food for cooking, baking, and sweets. However, you may replace light corn syrup with other components and still achieve outstanding results.
We have created a list of some substitutes for corn syrup, including:
1. White Sugar
The cupboard usually contains a bag of white sugar for bakers. As a result, it is among the most straightforward and fastest substitutes for corn syrup.
Additionally, sugar’s neutral sweetness mirrors that of corn syrup. White sugar has a different consistency than corn syrup but has nearly the same flavor.
However, you may quickly modify that by adding some water. To substitute 1 cup of corn syrup, mix 1 cup of white sugar with 1/3 cup of water.
There is no need to boil the water because the sugar will readily dissolve in it at ambient temperature. Before adding it to your recipe, make sure it is completely dissolved.
In baking, this sugar and water combination works well in place of corn syrup. However, it is not the best method for manufacturing candy because the sugar will crystallize when heated. Try the recipe for homemade corn syrup below if you’re creating confections.
2. Agave Syrup
This sweetener is derived from the agave plant, a succulent indigenous to Mexico. This plant’s name may seem familiar to you because it is also used to manufacture tequila.
The lowest glycemic index rating of all the corn syrups substitutes will be agave syrup. The neutral flavor of this corn syrup substitute will aid in maintaining the correct flavor character.
Aside from using it in cooking, agave may also be used to sweeten porridge and to replace maple syrup on pancakes. A bit of agave sweetener may go a long way because it is around 1.5 times sweeter than sugar.
3. Honey
Honey is one of the most widely used substitutes for corn syrup for creating candies. Bees use blossom nectar to produce honey, a delicious, gooey substance.
In addition to being spread over bread or toast, it is used in baking and cooking. Honey and corn syrup are comparable in sweetness and consistency.
It may be used to create brittle fudge, pralines, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, caramel, fudge, and chocolate bars. Honey may also be used to glaze baked items like doughnuts and create marshmallows and fondant.
Unless you’re preparing caramel, most recipes that call for honey should have an equivalent amount of honey replaced for corn syrup. In that instance, you should use 2/3 cup of honey for every cup of corn syrup.
4. Sorghum Syrup
Sorghum syrup is quite sweet and has a similar viscosity to corn syrup. It tastes sweeter than sugar does!
In confectionery recipes, you may use it as a 1:1 substitute for corn syrup by using the same quantity of sorghum syrup instead of corn syrup.
Sorghum syrup isn’t as easily accessible as corn syrup, so you might need to make an extra trip to buy it. That’s the main negative.
However, this is worth the extra work if you’re searching for something less processed than corn syrup to sweeten your sweets with.
5. Golden Syrup
Golden syrup can be used as a substitute for corn syrup for creating candies. Because it is manufactured from sugarcane, it has the same sweet flavor as corn syrup and is quite thick, making it ideal for confectionery.
Golden syrup is one of the most often used substitutes for corn syrup since it doesn’t necessitate making any significant changes to the recipe.
The only thing to be aware of is that, unlike most sugar, this one is manufactured from sugarcane rather than sugar beets.
Although it might not seem important, if you’re cooking with golden syrup and your other components are manufactured with beet sugar, they will respond differently because of their different molecular structures.
6. Molasses
Even though molasses is frequently used in baking and cooking, you might not currently have any in your cupboard.
Molasses is among excellent substitutes for corn syrup since it has many of the same qualities. It has a pleasant flavor and functions well in various dishes.
A byproduct of sugar production, molasses is a black, viscous syrup. It is also nutrient-rich and might increase your consumption of several important vitamins and minerals, including manganese, copper, and magnesium.
When preparing baked products, glazes, and sauces, molasses can be substituted in favor of dark corn syrup in an equivalent amount.
If you want, you may more accurately replicate dark corn syrup’s hue, flavor, and consistency by mixing 1 part molasses with three parts light corn syrup.
7. Stevia
Stevia is a healthy sweetener made from the stevia plant leaves and is devoid of calories, carbs, and sugar. Because it doesn’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels the way conventional sugar or corn syrup can, it may be a safe choice for people with diabetes.
Stevia may be used in some baked items that call for corn syrup, such as pecan pie, even if it is not always an appropriate substitute for corn syrup in recipes.
You’ll most likely need to use stevia in substantially lower amounts because it is significantly sweeter than ordinary sugar or corn syrup.
However, several variables, such as the particular recipe, the kind of stevia you use, and if you combine stevia with other sweeteners, might affect how much stevia you should substitute for corn syrup.
Additionally, the natural sweetener stevia may help maintain normal blood sugar levels. In some baked dishes, like pecan pie, you may substitute it for corn syrup. However, the exact quantity needed will depend on the recipe.
8. Sugar And Water
Replace one cup of granulated sugar dissolved in one-fourth cup warm water for each cup of light corn syrup. You require dark corn syrup.
Replace the granulated sugar with 1 cup of packed brown sugar, then dissolve it in 1/4 cup of water. This is among the classes of syrup that work well as substitutes for corn syrup for baked items (like pecan pie) but won’t work for candy recipes that need to be cooked past the soft-ball stage since sugar crystallizes at high temperatures.
9. DIY Corn Syrup
A straightforward blend of water and sugar works well while baking. Before utilizing the combination to make candy, you should add a few other processes and components since sugar and water will crystallize.
To manufacture your corn syrup at home:
- Combine the following ingredients in a saucepan: 2 cups white sugar, 34 cups water, 14 teaspoons cream of tartar, and a dash of salt.
- Lower the heat to a gentle simmer after bringing it to a boil.
- Stir the ingredients together, then take the spoon away to prevent sugar crystals.
Three minutes should be enough for it to become a thick, syrup-like consistency. Turn off the heat and let it cool. Use immediately or transfer to a lidded jar and store in the fridge for up to two months.
Any recipe that asks for corn syrup may be substituted 1:1 with homemade corn syrup. This homemade version is not quite as sweet compared to commercial corn syrup. In most recipes, you won’t notice it very much, though.
Additionally, this is a fantastic option for individuals who want corn syrup but do not want to use a corn-based product.
10. Cane Syrup
This common Southern item can be used in place of corn syrup in exact amounts and has a flavor similar to molasses. But once more, since it won’t stop crystallization, this alternative won’t work in candy recipes.
11. Brown Rice Syrup
Most home chefs won’t have brown rice syrup on hand. Therefore it may be used as a substitute for corn syrup. But you should consider this if you’re seeking long-term substitutes for corn syrup, especially if you prefer a sugar-free alternative.
Brown rice syrup is a well-liked alternative to corn syrup in many recipes and a fantastic sweetener for people to control their blood sugar. It resembles corn syrup in terms of consistency and quality.
It can be used to make confectionery since it even inhibits crystallization. But before you run out and use it in all your recipes, be aware that it tastes and looks very different from corn syrup.
The flavor of brown rice syrup is rich and nutty. More so than corn syrup, it is also less sweet.
Conclusion
There are many substitutes for corn syrup, and some even have distinctive flavors and qualities! There are numerous substitutes for corn syrup, including a few that could have some health advantages.
However, remember that most sweeteners, as mentioned earlier, still include a lot of added sugar. Heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity are just a few chronic health concerns with which added sugar has been associated.
As a result, it’s advisable to keep your intake in check and indulge in your favorite sweets occasionally as part of a balanced, nutritious diet.
