liquid sweeteners   Notes:  This category includes various syrups, honey, and molasses.

Varieties:

almond syrup

barley malt syrup = barley syrup = malt syrup = dark malt syrup = malted cereal syrup = extract of malted barley  Notes:  This tastes a bit like molasses, and it's not as sweet as sugar or honey.  It's mostly used to make beer, but it's also used to make breads or other baked goods.   Substitutes:  molasses (1 cup barley malt syrup = 2/3 cup molasses) OR rice bran syrup (1 cup barley malt syrup = 4/3 rice bran syrup) OR maple syrup

black treacle = dark treacle  Pronunciation:  TREE-cull   Shopping hints:   This is the British version of America's blackstrap molasses.  It's common in Britain, but hard to find in the United States. Look for it in specialty markets.  Don't confuse this with golden syrup, which is sometimes called light treacle.   Substitutes:   blackstrap molasses OR molasses OR golden syrup (Many cooks prefer this over black treacle for their treacle puddings and tarts, since it's less bitter.)

 

blackstrap molasses = black strap molasses   Notes:   This has a strong, bitter flavor, and it's not very sweet.  It's sometimes used to make chili.  Look for it in health food stores.

 

brown rice syrup = rice syrup = rice bran syrup = rice malt = yinnie syrup   Notes:   Health buffs like this because it contains complex sugars, which are absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream.  It's about half as sweet as ordinary table sugar. Some rice syrups include barley malt, and may pose a problem for people with gluten allergies.  Substitutes:  maple syrup (substitute 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons liquid for each cup of brown rice syrup) OR molasses (substitute 1/2 cup for each cup of brown rice syrup) OR barley malt syrup (substitute 3/4 cup for each cup of brown rice syrup) OR honey (substitute 3/4 C honey plus 2 tablespoons liquid for every cup of brown rice syrup)

coconut syrup   Notes:   Hawaiians like to pour this syrup on pancakes, but it's also used in several mixed drinks.  To make your own:   See the recipe for coconut syrup posted on kitchenmixes.com.   Substitutes:  cream of coconut (for mixed drinks)

 

corn syrup   Notes:   This is a thick, sweet syrup that's popular in America, but hard to find in other countries.   Unlike other sweeteners, corn syrup doesn't crystallize and turn grainy when it's cold, so it's a good choice for frostings, fudge sauces, and candies.  Baked goods made with corn syrup are moister and stay fresher longer than those made with sugar.  There are two types:  dark corn syrup is dark brown and has a slight molasses flavor, while light corn syrup is almost clear and has a more delicate flavor.  The two can be used interchangeably in many recipes.  Karo is a well-known brand.  Store corn syrup at room temperature.  Substitutes:  golden syrup (Substitute measure for measure) OR honey (This is sweeter than corn syrup, but substitute it measure for measure.) OR molasses (Substitute measure for measure.)

 

dark corn syrup = dark Karo syrup   Notes:  This corn syrup has a mild molasses flavor, and it's a common ingredient in barbecue sauce, pecan pie, Substitutes:   simple syrup (make with 2 parts sugar and 1 part water) OR Combine 3 parts light corn syrup plus 1 part molasses OR golden syrup

Falernum  Notes:  This is a Caribbean cane syrup that's delicately flavored and slightly alcoholic.  It's sometimes used in rum-based cocktails.  Substitutes: simple syrup (less expensive)

flavored syrups  Notes:  These are often used to flavor Italian sodas or coffee.  They come in dozens of flavors, but some of the most popular are vanilla, almond, raspberry, Irish cream, and hazelnut.  Popular brands include d'Arbo, Monin, and Torani.  To make your own:  Make a simple syrup with equal parts sugar and water, then add flavored extract to taste.  Store in the refrigerator.  Substitutes:   liqueur OR fruit syrup OR syrup from cans of fruit packed in heavy syrup 

fruit syrups

golden syrup = cane juice = jus de canne = cane syrup = sugar cane juice = light treacle   Notes:    This amber-colored liquid sweetener is popular among British, Caribbean, and Creole cooks.  It's made by evaporating sugar cane juice until it's thick and syrupy.  Lyle's Golden Syrup and Steen's Pure Cane Syrup are popular brands.   Substitutes:  Combine two parts light corn syrup plus one part molasses OR equal parts honey and corn syrup OR maple syrup (This is thinner, and not as sweet.) OR dark corn syrup (This is thnner and not as sweet as golden syrup.  If you like, try reducing the corn syrup in a saucepan to thicken it.) OR light corn syrup (This is thnner and not as sweet or flavorful as golden syrup.  If you like, try reducing the corn syrup in a saucepan to thicken it.)

honey

Karo syrup

khus syrup  Notes:  Indians use this to make desserts and drinks.  Substitutes:  rose syrup 

light corn syrup = light Karo syrup  Equivalents:  One cup =  8 ounces) Notes:   Light corn syrup is used to make everything from candy to fake blood at Halloween.   Substitutes:   dark corn syrup (more pronounced flavor) OR simple syrup (make with 2 parts sugar and 1 part water) OR golden syrup OR honey

 

maple syrup   Notes:   Made from the sap of sugar maples, maple syrup is a traditional topping for pancakes, waffles, and French toast.   It's also used to make candies, frostings, candied yams, meat glazes, and baked beans.  Lighter syrups usually have a more delicate flavor.  Refrigerate after opening.  Don't confuse authentic maple syrup with the cheaper and more commonly used pancake syrup, which are based on corn syrup.  Substitutes:  pancake syrup OR berry syrup (on pancakes) OR brown rice syrup OR brown sugar (on hot cereals) OR light molasses (on pancakes or hot cereals) OR honey thinned with apple juice OR granulated sugar (If you're baking, substitute 1 cup sugar for every 3/4 cup of maple syrup, then increase the liquid in the recipe by 3 tablespoons per cup of sugar.  If baking soda is used, decrease the amount by 1/4 teaspoon per cup of sugar substituted, since sugar is less acidic than maple syrup.)

mint syrup   To make your own:  See the Mint Syrup recipe on CooksRecipes.com. 

molasses = treacle   Pronunciation:  muh-LASS-sis Equivalents:  One cup = 8 ounces Notes:    Sugar is made by extracting juice from sugar cane or sugar beets, boiling them, and then extracting the sugar crystals.  Molasses is the thick, syrupy residue that's left behind in the vats.  It has a sweet, distinctive flavor, and it's a traditional ingredient in such things as gingerbread, baked beans, rye bread, and shoofly pie.  There are several different varieties.  Light molasses = sweet molasses = mild molasses = Barbados molasses is taken from the first boiling.  It's the sweetest and mildest, and is often used as a pancake syrup or a sweetener for beverages.  Dark molasses = full molasses = full-flavored molasses is left behind after the juices are boiled a second time.  It's less sweet but more flavorful than light molasses, and it's a good choice if a recipe simply calls for molasses. Blackstrap molasses comes from the third and final boiling.  It's too strong and bitter for most recipes, and it's mostly consumed for its alleged nutritional benefits.  Most of the molasses sold in supermarkets is unsulfured.  Sulfured molasses has sulfur dioxide added as a preservative, and isn't as mild and sweet as unsulfured molasses.  Food grade molasses is almost always made from sugar cane.  Sugar beet molasses is very bitter and is mostly used as cattle feed or as a medium for growing yeast.  When measuring molasses, grease the cup and utensils to keep molasses from sticking.  If your molasses crystallizes while being stored, heat it gently to dissolve the crystals.  After opening, you can store molasses in your cupboard.  Substitutes: dark corn syrup OR maple syrup (works well in gingerbread cookies) OR honey OR barley malt syrup (weaker flavor; use 1/3 less) OR brown sugar (Substitute 1.5 cups brown sugar for every 1 cup molasses)

orgeat = orzata = almond syrup  Pronunciation:  OR-zhat   Notes:   This sweet almond-flavored syrup is used in many mixed drinks.  Look for it in liquor stores.  To make your own:  See the Almond Syrup recipe on the ichef website.

orzata

palm syrup   To make your own: melt palm sugar, then strain

pancake syrup = maple-flavored syrup    Notes:  This is the inexpensive version of maple syrup that Americans love to pour on pancakes and waffles.  It's usually based on corn syrup, and flavored either with artificial flavoring or real maple syrup.  To make your own:   See the recipe for  Mock Maple Syrup on RecipeSource.  Substitutes:  maple syrup OR berry syrup (on pancakes) OR brown rice syrup OR brown sugar (on hot cereals) OR light molasses (on pancakes or hot cereals) OR honey thinned with apple juice OR granulated sugar (If you're baking, substitute 1 cup sugar for every 3/4 cup of maple syrup, then increase the liquid in the recipe by 3 tablespoons per cup of sugar.  If baking soda is used, decrease the amount by 1/4 teaspoon per cup of sugar substituted, since sugar is less acidic than maple syrup.)

rice bran syrup

rice malt

rice syrup

simple syrup = sugar syrup   Notes:   This is a mixture of sugar and water that's brought to a boil and simmered for about five minutes so that the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes syrupy.  When it cools, it's used to make mixed drinks, liqueurs, baked goods, sorbets, sauces, and many other things.   The thickness of the syrup depends upon the ratio of sugar to water used.   Many simple syrup recipes call for equal parts sugar and water.  For a thinner syrup, combine two parts water with one part sugar.  Rock candy syrup, a heavy syrup used to make some liqueurs and mixed drinks, is made with two parts sugar and one part water.   

sorghum molasses = sorghum syrup   Notes:  This is made from sorghum cane juice, and Southerners sometimes use it instead of molasses to make things like barbecue sauce, baked beans, and gingerbread.  Look for it in health food stores.   Substitutes:  golden syrup OR molasses (not as sweet)

Swedish light syrup = ljus sirap   Substitutes:   golden syrup

 

violet syrup  To make your own:   See the recipe for Violet Syrup on RecipeSource.

 

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Links

Torani has a good site with innovative ideas for using its syrups. For information on using sweeteners in baked goods, visit the Functions of Baking Ingredients page. 

Copyright © 1996-2005 Lori Alden