Substitutes for honey

Honey substitutes

Honey adds sweetness, moisture and its own flavour. Choose sugar and liquid for a pantry mixture, or a syrup-and-sugar blend whose flavour suits the recipe.

What honey does

A sweet, thick liquid that adds moisture and flavor, browns quickly and helps baked goods stay soft. It is sweeter than most other liquid sweeteners.

Quick reference

SubstituteAmount
Sugar plus liquid Sources vary1¼ cup granulated sugar + ⅓ cup liquid from the recipeper 1 cup honey
Maple syrup and sugar ¾ cup maple syrup + ½ cup granulated sugarper 1 cup honey
Corn syrup and sugar ¾ cup light or dark corn syrup + ½ cup granulated sugarper 1 cup honey
Light molasses and sugar ¾ cup light molasses + ½ cup granulated sugarper 1 cup honey

When the substitute matters

  • Sugar and liquid: 1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/3 cup liquid per cup honey; sources differ on the liquid amount.
  • Maple flavour: use 3/4 cup maple syrup plus 1/2 cup sugar.
  • Corn syrup: use 3/4 cup light or dark corn syrup plus 1/2 cup sugar.
  • A stronger, darker flavour: use 3/4 cup light molasses plus 1/2 cup sugar.

The substitutes, in detail

Sugar plus liquid

Amount: 1¼ cup granulated sugar + ⅓ cup liquid from the recipe per 1 cup honey

Sources vary

Land O'Lakes and Saskatchewan Health use ⅓ cup liquid. The extension charts (North Dakota State, Colorado State, New Mexico State, Utah State, Mississippi State) use ¼ cup.

  1. Use whatever liquid the recipe already calls for.

Best for

  • baked goods
  • sauces and glazes

What changes

Replaces the sweetness and moisture, but without honey flavour.

  • vegan
  • dairy-free
  • egg-free
  • gluten-free
Sources: Land O'Lakes·Saskatchewan Health Authority (provincial government health agency, Canada)·North Dakota State University Extension

Maple syrup and sugar

Amount: ¾ cup maple syrup + ½ cup granulated sugar per 1 cup honey

For 1 cup honey, use 3/4 cup syrup plus 1/2 cup sugar. This is the complete blend, not a syrup-only swap.

  1. Measure both the syrup and sugar in place of the honey.

Best for

  • baking

What changes

Adds maple flavour instead of honey flavour.

Sources: Land O'Lakes·Joy of Baking

Corn syrup and sugar

Amount: ¾ cup light or dark corn syrup + ½ cup granulated sugar per 1 cup honey

For 1 cup honey, use 3/4 cup syrup plus 1/2 cup sugar. This is the complete blend, not a syrup-only swap.

  1. Measure both the syrup and sugar in place of the honey.

Best for

  • baking

What changes

Corn syrup replaces the honey flavour with a milder sweetness; dark corn syrup adds a darker flavour.

Sources: Land O'Lakes·Joy of Baking

Light molasses and sugar

Amount: ¾ cup light molasses + ½ cup granulated sugar per 1 cup honey

For 1 cup honey, use 3/4 cup syrup plus 1/2 cup sugar. This is the complete blend, not a syrup-only swap.

  1. Measure both the syrup and sugar in place of the honey.

Best for

  • baking

What changes

Adds a stronger molasses flavour and a darker colour.

Sources: Land O'Lakes·Joy of Baking

Don't use

  • Amber agave nectar in baking

    Adds a potent flavor and can make baked goods too dark.

How we source this

Each swap is backed by at least two independent sources, including a test kitchen, university extension service or product maker. The amounts replace one unit of the original ingredient and do not work in reverse. See the full source list.

Sources

Related substitute pages