It’s that time of year again, the maple syrup is flowing, and you are looking for a way to keep your kitchen stocked with this delicious sweetener.

Maple syrup is often an ingredient in many recipes because it’s delicious and adds subtle sweetness without being overpowering or adding too much sugar.

However, while being an excellent natural sweetener, maple syrup can be expensive, depending on where you purchase it from. 

Luckily there are other alternatives that can help satisfy your sweet tooth when you’re running low on maple syrup.

This blog post will give 7 other substitutes for maple syrup that are both affordable and easy to find. At the end of this article, we will provide an easy recipe on how to make homemade maple syrup.

Top 7 Maple Syrup Substitutes

Here are seven substitutes for maple syrup that you can use in your kitchen…

Honey

Honey is a type of natural sweetener that can easily be substituted for maple syrup in your kitchen. Honey has similar properties to real maple syrup by adding sweetness to your pancakes or bake cookies.

You can use honey as a substitute for maple syrup with a ratio of 1:1 (one cup honey = one cup of maple syrup), even though there will be a slight difference in the texture and taste. Either way, your pancakes will taste delicious every single time!

Corn Syrup

Corn syrup is a sweetener that is made from corn starch, water, and enzymes. Many people do not see the difference between using real maple syrup or this substitute because they both have similar properties when it comes to adding sweetness and volume to your favorite recipes.  

You can also use corn syrup at a ratio of 1:1 and significantly enhance the taste of your dessert.

Brown Sugar Syrup

Brown sugar syrup is a type of liquid sweetener that is made from brown sugar, water, and vanilla. This is a nice substitute for maple syrup that you should have in your kitchen, as it has similar properties to real maple syrup. You can use it for pancakes, cookies, and all other desserts that need maple syrup.

The best thing is, you can create brown sugar syrup yourself and store it in your fridge for up to a month (if you don’t spend it all in a few days).

Molasses

Molasses is another great sweetener that can be used as a substitute for maple syrup, because it tastes just as good.

However, molasses is very affordable, and you can find it almost anywhere. You can also use molasses as a substitute for maple syrup at a ratio of 1:1 (one cup of maple syrup swapped by one cup of molasses).

Just like with all the other substitutes, molasses will add sweetness to your pancakes or other sweet treats and enhance their flavor.

Golden Syrup

Golden syrup is a thicker sweetener that is made of citric acid, water, and sugar. Even though it’s slightly different in taste than the maple syrup, the golden syrup can add a great buttery flavor to your desserts or baking goods.

Since this syrup is thicker, the ratio might not be the same as with maple syrup, so make sure to add a proper amount of it to your favorite dessert.

Coconut Nectar

Coconut nectar is a sweetener that is made from the sap of coconut flowers. It’s another excellent alternative to maple syrup, and it has a very mild flavor that will go well with any dessert or pancake recipe.

This sweetener also adds sweetness and flavor to your pancakes or cookies. However, make sure to adjust the quantity of the syrup when adding to your recipe.

Caramel Syrup

If you like the taste of caramel, then using this syrup as a substitute for maple syrup can be the perfect solution for you. This is another sweetness similar to maple syrup since they both have caramel notes in their taste.

You can use the caramel syrup in almost all of your sweet recipes that call for maple syrup.

Homemade Maple Syrup Substitute Recipe

The number one substitute for store-bought maple syrup is always homemade maple syrup. If you want to make the best maple syrup recipe in your kitchen, then here’s a quick, cheap, and easy way to do it. 

Ingredients

• Maple extract
• Vanilla extract
• Sugar
• Honey
• Hot water

Instructions

1. Mix the sugar, water, and honey in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it thickens.
2. Let the mix simmer for up to 10 minutes.
3. Stir the mix often and ensure the proper texture is achieved.
4. After 10 minutes, take the saucepan out of the heat.
5. Add the vanilla and maple extract into the saucepan.
6. Stir all ingredients and let the mix cool for 5 minutes.
7. Pour the maple syrup into a glass jar and let it cool completely before placing it in your fridge.

And just like that, you’ve made a delicious maple syrup make in your kitchen just by using a few ingredients.

Conclusion

Maple syrup is a great natural sweetener that has been used for decades. However, it can be expensive, or you might have problems finding one when you most need it.

Luckily there are many substitutes for maple syrup, such as raw honey or molasses, that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to enjoy them with your breakfast oatmeal or pancakes.

What is your favorite substitute for maple syrup? Comment below!