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

Homemade Ingredients

4.74 from 97 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 | | 133

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 97 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)

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

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

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 (13)

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

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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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)

The Mimi

18 days 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 18 days ago by The Mimi

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

Sharon R

6 months ago

Hi Gemma, I’ve just started getting everything ready to make this and realised that I don’t have any lemons. Can I use cider or white vinegar instead?

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About Us

Meet Gemma

Perfect Golden Syrup Substitute Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (23)

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

What can I use instead of golden syrup in baking? ›

The Best Golden Syrup Substitutes
  • Maple Syrup. If you prefer not to use refined sugars, maple syrup will work with a 1:1 substitution. ...
  • Honey. As with maple syrup, honey will work as a 1:1 substitute for golden syrup. ...
  • Dark or Light Corn Syrup. ...
  • Brown Sugar + Water. ...
  • White Sugar + Water. ...
  • Coconut Sugar + Water. ...
  • Treacle.

What is the American version 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.

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.

How do you make golden syrup? ›

Place 110g (1/2 cup) of sugar in a medium saucepan and add 125ml (1/2 cup) water. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Simmer, without stirring, for 8-9 minutes or until mixture is golden.

What if I don't have golden syrup? ›

Light molasses works as a substitute for golden syrup, and regular molasses is essentially a different name for dark treacle. 7. Maple syrup: A bit thinner than golden syrup, maple syrup is a good option to replace golden syrup in recipes.

Can you substitute honey for golden syrup in baking? ›

Honey caramelises at a lower temperature than golden syrup so the easy way to create perfect honey cakes, slices and Anzac Biscuits is to simply bake in a 150-degree oven rather than the slightly hotter oven required for traditional golden syrup and brown sugar cakes and cookies.

Can you buy golden syrup in the USA? ›

In the U.S.A. you can buy Lyles Golden Syrup (11.46 ounce) in the International Foods section at Publix.

What sugar is equivalent to golden syrup? ›

The fructose content gives a heightened perception of sweetness so that, when used as a sweetening agent, about 25% less golden syrup can be used than granulated white sugar.

Can I substitute golden syrup for Karo syrup? ›

Also known as "light treacle" in the United Kingdom, golden syrup can be used in place of corn syrup in any recipe—including candy. This buttery British staple is a refined version of sugar cane and has the same properties as corn syrup, meaning it won't seize at the high temperatures required for some candy recipes.

Can I use condensed milk instead of golden syrup? ›

As sweetened condensed milk is slightly runnier than golden syrup, you may need to adjust for this in your recipe by reducing the volume of other liquids, e.g. milk or water in your recipe. Otherwise, you can use a 1:1 swap.

Is golden syrup just honey? ›

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.

Is golden syrup the same as molasses? ›

Golden syrup, or light treacle, is a thick sugar syrup. With its golden, amber color, it is lighter than molasses, though the two are similar in their thickness. Golden syrup also a liquid sweetener, so 1 cup of golden syrup can replace 1 cup of molasses.

What is golden syrup in British baking? ›

Sometimes called 'light treacle' in recipes, it's an inverted sugar syrup made from refined cane sugar. Tastes a bit like honey, but punchier. The same company makes Black Treacle, another classic addition in British baking.

Is golden syrup just sugar? ›

Golden syrup is made from cane sugar or sugar beet. It's produced by further processing one of the by-products of the sugar refining process. It's often found in baked goods and desserts. Despite being made from grapes this still has a high sugar content, so isn't much healthier than regular table sugar.

Why is golden syrup black? ›

The black can either be from the oxidization of the tin or it could be mold growth. In either case golden syrup only has a shelf life of about two years; or one year after being opened, and it should be refrigerated after opening. The granulation could be fixed by reheating but the black is not worth the risk.

Is golden syrup the same as honey? ›

Honey. Because golden syrup and honey look similar, people often assume they're more of less the same. Each can act as a substitute for the other, but honey is a byproduct of bees and flowers, and golden syrup comes from sugar cane or sugar beets. Honey is not a vegan product, but golden syrup is.

Why do you use golden syrup in recipes? ›

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.

How do I substitute honey for golden syrup? ›

Golden Syrup

It has a very similar color and consistency to honey. It is made from sugarcane or sugar beets and has a milder flavor than maple syrup. You can replace honey 1 to 1 with golden syrup so for 1 teaspoon of honey use 1 teaspoon of golden syrup.

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