Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

Homemade Ingredients

4.74 from 98 votes

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If you're out of Golden Syrup or find yourself with a recipe that calls for it but you can't get any, I will teach you to make the Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute!

By Gemma Stafford | | 135

Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (1)

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A homemade version of golden syrup was hugely requested once I released my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook because it makes an appearance in a few recipes. I heard you, Bold Bakers! So I’ve come up with the Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute.

Golden syrup is a very popular baking ingredient in Ireland. We use it in cookies, steamed sponge puddings, and also it’s a key ingredient when making Homemade Honeycomb. It’s a thick, caramel-colored syrup and often used in recipes where you would use corn syrup. A substitute can be made easily at home using just 3 ingredients.

Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (2)

What Is Golden Syrup?

It’s a thick amber-colored form of inverted sugar syrup made in the process of refining sugar cane or sugar beet juice into sugar. It is used in a variety of baking recipes and desserts that you can see below. A very popular baking ingredient in Europe and Australia.

What Is Golden Syrup in America?

The best other syrup to liken it to for color and texture would be dark corn syrup. Although personally I believe golden syrup has a more caramel flavor to it. This substitute will work perfectly if you can’t buy it.

What Uses Golden Syrup?

A lot of yummy European, Australian, and New Zealand recipes call for golden syrup as we don’t have access to corn syrup like the US and Canada. Mostly we add it to Sticky Toffee pudding, treacle puddings, biscuits and one of my personal favorites, Homemade Honeycomb.

What spurred me to make this substitute was that I have a few recipes in my cookbook that call for golden syrup, so if you have my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook then you will find this substitute really useful.

Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (3)

What Can Be Substituted for Golden Syrup?

This exact recipe is the best substitute for a tin of golden syrup. It’s the same texture, thickness, and caramel tone and flavor that is unique to golden syrup. If you are looking for another option then you can also use dark corn syrup. I don’t recommend substituting it with maple syrup as it will not react the same way.

How do I store it?

You can store your substitute in a jar or any airtight container at room temperature. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated just like you don’t refrigerate honey, corn syrup, or maple syrup.

It will also last a very long time. I write in the recipe it lasts a minimum of 8 weeks but honestly, it should last a lot longer than that. If you think of it like corn syrup and store it properly, it will not ever go bad.

Tips and Tricks for making a Golden Syrup Substitute

  • Caramel making is a low and slow process, don’t turn up the heat and try to rush it
  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to make this golden syrup substitute as it’s best for caramel making
  • Watch the video so you can see the same color and texture of my syrup
  • Store in an airtight container with a proper sealable lid
  • This golden syrup substitute will last for months in your cupboard

Don’t forget to followBigger Bolder Baking on Pinterest!

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Watch The Recipe Video!

Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe

4.74 from 98 votes

Print Recipe

If you're out of Golden Syrup or find yourself with a recipe that calls for it but you can't get any, I will teach you to make the Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute recipe!

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 2 cups

  • Dessert
  • Limited Ingredients
  • Less than 30 Minutes
  • Saucepan

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

If you're out of Golden Syrup or find yourself with a recipe that calls for it but you can't get any, I will teach you to make the Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute recipe!

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) sugar
  • ¼ cup (2floz/57ml) water
  • 2 ¼ cup (18oz/507g) sugar
  • 1 ½ cup (10 ½floz/296ml) boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  • Heat ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium/low heat until the sugar has dissolved.

  • Bring to a simmer and caramelize until an amber/golden color forms, about 8-10 minutes. If needed, brush the sides of the pan with water to clean away the sugar build up so the caramel doesn’t crystallize.

  • Once your caramel has formed, add the remaining sugar. Slowly add in boiling water and lemon juice. Be careful when adding the liquid because the caramel will bubble rapidly. Whisk to combine. Note: The sugar will clump but don't worry, keep whisking and those lumps will dissolve.

  • On medium/low heat, continue to simmer for about 17-20 minutes. You are looking for a rich amber color and a slightly thickened consistency.

  • Remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely. The syrup will thicken significantly when completely cooled.

  • Pour the thick, cooled homemade golden syrup into a jar and keep at room temperature in a cupboard for a minimum of 8 weeks. Important note: If your syrup is TOO stiff then put it back on the heat and thin it out with some water until you get the consistency of thick syrup. Likewise, if it is still TOO thin once cooled completely then pop it back on the stove for another few minutes to thicken up further.

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (10)

4 years ago

I’m not sure if you know it or not, but the left menu that shows tips, video, recipe, comments, etc. hides a good portion of the text on the left side of the screen on my iPad Air 2.

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (11)

Joan

2 years ago

I just made this syrup and it is wonderful. I took half of the syrup and added a few drops of Maple Extract and the result was amazing. It tastes just like real maple syrup! So I now have a bottle of great tasting golden syrup and another bottle of delicious maple syrup substitute. Thanks, Gemma. Love your videos and recipes !! One other comment; What’s with the bar that runs down the left side of the screen…tips,video, recipe, etc. ? It blocks the ingredients list on your recipes and is so annoying. Is it just me? I’m not techRead more »

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (12)

Mike

3 years ago

The syrup I ended up with looks exactly like Lyle’s and the consistency is spot on however, the flavor and sweetness are not. I find the Lyle’s to be considerably sweeter and far more flavorful. I used pure cane sugar.
Also, I have viewed other videos on golden syrup and they all say to simmer for 45 minutes where you say around 18 minutes. Just wondering if I didn’t understand?

Thanks

Mike

Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (13)

Linda

4 years ago

So, Gemma, one needs to plan ahead when thinking of using this syrup. It looks like you need to make it 8 weeks before you need it. Or did I misunderstand? Either way, it looks delicious, and I cannot wait to try it.

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (14)

Ronald William Martin

3 years ago

I made it today here in Thailand where Golden Syrup is almost non existent. It’s excellent. Thanks for the recipe and video.

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Alina A

3 years ago

Loved this! Turned exactly as pictured! ❤️

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (16)

Stephen Murdoch

3 years ago

What should the finish temperature be?

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (17)

Ingrid

4 years ago

Does the last paragraph mean we have to wait 8 weeks to use it? Or did you mean to write we can keep it in the cupboard for a “maximum” of 8 weeks?

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (18)

Rita

24 days ago

Would you be able to use the same amount of honey instead of the golden syrup??

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (19)

The Mimi

1 month ago

I came to check this out, after leaving a comment on your YouTube video for treacle tart… and wanted to also mention here that I was very glad to discover that Lyle’s has plastic squeeze bottles now, because I always had trouble with it getting black around the lid after I opened it, and I’m hoping that won’t be a problem anymore!☺️❤️

Last edited 1 month ago by The Mimi

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About Us

Meet Gemma

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About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

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Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

FAQs

Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking? ›

Heat ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium/low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a simmer and caramelize until an amber/golden color forms, about 8-10 minutes.

What is the American equivalent of golden syrup? ›

In the U.S., golden syrup is usually sold under the name of light treacle, but it's not readily available in many grocery stores. In cooking recipes, molasses and light treacle are often used interchangeably because their textures and flavor profiles are similar.

How to make golden syrup at home? ›

First, pour 3 Tbsp water and 1/2 cup [100g] sugar into a saucepan. Carefully swirl the saucepan a couple times to combine the water and sugar. Heat uncovered to a simmer over medium heat. Ultimately you want to heat the syrup to about 350F/175C, which is the temperature at which it will caramelize.

How to make a syrup substitute? ›

Sugar and Water

Even if all you have on hand is a sack of sugar, you can simmer some with equal part water to make an easy substitute for maple syrup. Use simple syrup for baking where you won't miss the nutty, caramelized flavor of maple syrup.

What if I don't have golden syrup? ›

Cane syrup

Cane syrup, also called cane sugar syrup, is a sweet, amber-coloured liquid. It is made from evaporating sugar cane juice to create a thick and syrupy consistency. Since cane syrup is made in a similar process to golden syrup, though usually a darker and richer syrup, it is a great substitute to use.

What is a substitute for golden syrup in cookies? ›

If you don't mind the distinctive flavors you can substitute honey, agave, maple syrup, or molasses. You can also just add an extra couple of tablespoons of brown sugar. I wouldn't try that in a candy recipe where you're boiling sugar syrup, but the substitution should be fine in a cookie recipe.

Can you buy golden syrup in the USA? ›

Amazon.com : Lyle's Golden Syrup,454 GRAMS : Grocery & Gourmet Food.

Can I use maple syrup instead of golden syrup? ›

Yes, maple syrup can be used instead of golden syrup in many recipes, however this will result in a slightly different flavour. Golden syrup and maple syrup are generally substituted in a 1:1 ratio, however you may choose to use slightly less maple syrup to maintain texture and consistency.

Can I substitute golden syrup for Karo syrup? ›

Golden syrup

Although it doesn't offer any significant nutritional benefits over corn syrup, it can easily be used as a substitute in most recipes if you don't have any corn syrup on hand ( 7 ). It works especially well when making candy or caramel and can be used in place of light corn syrup in a 1:1 ratio.

What is the main ingredient in golden syrup? ›

Though golden syrup looks like honey, it's a completely different type of sweetener made by inverting sugar during the refining process. In essence, golden syrup is just water, sugar and citric acid that come together in a way that forms a thick liquid used in baking and to sweeten foods.

What sugar is equivalent to golden syrup? ›

Golden syrup can be a delightful alternative to sugar in cakes. Its high fructose content allows you to use a quarter less golden syrup than the sugar required in the recipe, but you will still achieve the same level of sweetness – allowing you to enjoy a deliciously sweet cake.

What is a substitute for golden syrup in Anzac biscuits? ›

Best substitute for golden syrup is a combination of light molasses or treacle, plus honey. I use 1 part molasses or treacle, and 3 parts honey – the flavour is nearly identical, and the colour is very similar (a bit darker).

What is a good substitute for syrup in baking? ›

There are so many substitutes for maple syrup that can replicate the taste and texture of the real thing; honey, molasses, simple syrup, brown sugar syrup, brown rice syrup, corn syrup, golden syrup, coconut nectar, agave nectar, white sugar, brown sugar, or keto syrup alternatives.

What is the best simple syrup alternative? ›

If you're looking for a simple syrup substitute, there are three favorites you probably have right in your home: honey, maple syrup and agave. For honey or agave, add warm water to them, to help turn the mix to syrup. You can also use a sweet, juicy fruit, like an orange.

How do I substitute sugar for syrup in baking? ›

To replace white sugar with maple syrup in general cooking, it is ideal to use ¾ cup of maple syrup for every one cup of sugar. When it comes to baking, that same amount is used but also be sure to reduce the amount of overall liquid in the recipe by about three tablespoons for each cup of maple syrup substituted.

What does golden syrup do in baking? ›

Beyond its sweetening powers, golden syrup also plays a crucial role as a binding agent in cakes. It helps to bring the dry ingredients together and create the perfect texture, helping to achieve a light and fluffy sponge.

Can you replace golden syrup with maple syrup in baking? ›

Yes, maple syrup can be used instead of golden syrup in many recipes, however this will result in a slightly different flavour. Golden syrup and maple syrup are generally substituted in a 1:1 ratio, however you may choose to use slightly less maple syrup to maintain texture and consistency.

Are honey and golden syrup interchangeable? ›

It can be used wherever honey is used, providing a lesser flavour spectrum but saving rather a lot of cost; this would include on porridge, pancakes and waffles, in flapjacks, ginger cakes and similar. To really showcase this ingredient, try making our golden syrup dumplings.

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