A corn syrup replacement can be used in many recipes. You can also use my corn syrup substitute recipe if the flavor of one of the corn syrup alternative suggestions would distract from the flavor of a dish.
Whether you are cooking for someone with a corn allergy, avoid high fructose corn syrup for personal reasons, or live where it is not readily available, you will occasionally find yourself in need of a corn syrup substitute. If you are wondering what you can use in place of corn syrup, we have suggestions for replacements for dark corn syrup, alternatives for light corn syrup, and corn syrup substitute recipe for when the other alternatives won’t work.
Dark Corn Syrup Substitute Ideas
When replacing dark corn syrup, I often use either maple syrup or molasses. Maple syrup and molasses both have a stronger flavor than dark corn syrup, but as long as one of them will blend well with the ingredients of the recipe that I am preparing, I will use one.
If the flavor of the maple syrup and molasses will be too overpowering for a recipe, I substitute 3/4 cup of the corn syrup substitute recipe below and 1/4 cup of molasses for 1 cup of dark corn syrup. When a recipe calls for less than a cup of dark corn syrup, blend the ingredients well to make a cup and then measure out the amount of dark corn syrup substitute that you need. The leftover dark corn syrup substitute can be stored in a sealed container in the pantry for up to 2 months.
Light Corn Syrup Substitute Ideas
My favorite substitutes for light corn syrup are Lundberg’s Brown Rice Syrup and Lyle’s Golden Syrup. Both Rice Syrup and Golden Syrup have a fairly mild flavor and work in place of light corn syrup in a recipe. Their flavor is stronger than corn syrup, but not as distracting as maple syrup or molasses. Unlike corn syrup, both brown rice syrup and golden syrup are expensive and difficult to find at traditional grocery stores.
How to Make Corn Syrup
In a pinch, I use the corn syrup substitute recipe below that is passed around among the Navy wives who have lived overseas. It is quick and easy to make and works well as a substitute for corn syrup. I have used my homemade corn syrup substitute in recipes that traditionally call for corn syrup like Divinity, Traditional Toffee, and Chocolate Pecan Pie and it has worked well.
Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- Dash of salt
Directions:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Stir and cook over a medium-high flame until it reaches a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and put a lid on it for 3 minutes (this is to get sugar crystals off the sides of the pan).
- Uncover and cook, stirring frequently, until it reaches soft ball stage on a candy thermometer.
- Cool the syrup and store in a covered container at room temperature. It will keep for about 2 months
Printable Recipe for Corn Syrup Substitute
- 2 cups white sugar
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- Dash of salt.
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
- Stir and cook over a medium-high flame until it reaches a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and put a cover on it for 3 minutes (this is to get sugar crystals off the sides of the pan).
- Uncover and cook, stirring frequently, until it reaches soft ball stage on a candy thermometer.
- Cool syrup and store in a covered container at room temperature. It will keep for about 2 months
Marshmallow Fluff Recipe without Corn Syrup
Since I share so many fudge recipes, I am often asked for a marshmallow fluff recipe for those who do not have access to marshmallow fluff in their local stores. Then when people see the ingredient list often calls for corn syrup, I am asked for a marshmallow fluff recipe that that can be made without corn syrup. Fortunately, my friend Kris of Attainable Sustainable has come to our rescue. Here is a printable recipe for Marshmallow Fluff without Corn Syrup. You can see in the video below how easy it is to make:
More Homemade Substitutes:
How to Make Almond Meal (Almond Flour)
How to Make Self-Rising Flour and Baking Powder
This was originally published on July 26, 2011, but was updated on 4/4/2018.
Aliyanna says
If this is cooked to the soft ball stage doesn’t it harden up or get over thick….kinda like candy??? Have made candies and they were often cooked only to thesoft ball stage.
Ashley says
Can honey be used in place of sugar the the corn syrup recipe
Shelley says
I wonder if I can use liquid allulose
Deborah says
Is there a sugar free recipe? My husband and sister are diabetic. And I’m pre-diabetic.
Nay says
Hello, can i use this for marshmallow creme?
Alea Milham says
To make marshmallow cream?