How to Substitute Maple Syrup for Sugar + 15 Recipes Using Maple Syrup (2024)

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by Alea Milham 1 Comment

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Maple syrup can be used to sweetened anything you would normally sweeten with sugar. Here is how to substitute maple syrup for sugar in recipes, as well as 15 recipes using maple syrup.

How to Substitute Maple Syrup for Sugar + 15 Recipes Using Maple Syrup (1)

While I realize that maple syrup is a spring food since the trees are usually tapped in the spring. The long shelf life of syrup means it can be used any time of year. My youngest son loves Sugar Maple trees so much that we bought him one and planted it in our yard so he has his own source of Maple leaves. And in the mind of a six-year-old, it is a very short leap from doing a fall leaf craft project to enjoying some maple syrup.

Syrup doesn’t need to be limited to topping pancakes and waffles. It is delicious used in recipes. Maple Syrup not only sweetens the dish, but it also adds a depth of flavor missing from white sugar.

How to Substitute Maple Syrup for Sugar:

If you want to substitute maple syrup for honey, it is easy because you do not have to do any conversions: You can replace honey with maple syrup one for one. However, it is a little more complicated to substitute maple syrup for sugar.

Maple syrup is sweeter than sugar, so you will use less of it than you would of sugar. To substitute maple syrup for sugar in recipes, use 2/3 – 3/4 cup of syrup for 1 cup of sugar.

When you are replacing the sugar with syrup in a recipe like glazed carrots, you don’t have to worry about the liquids, but when you are substituting maple syrup for sugar in baked goods, you will need to reduce the liquids by a small amount. If you use 1 cup of syrup, then reduce the liquids by 3 tablespoons. I find it easiest to measure the normal amount of liquid called for in the recipe in a Pyrex measuring cup and then spoon out the excess liquid.

If a cake recipe calls for 2 cups of sugar, you would use 1 1/3 – 1 1/2 cups maple syrup and then reduce the liquid in the recipe by 4 tablespoons (or a quarter cup).

To help figure out the exact amounts use these conversions:

4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon

Don’t want to worry about the math, then try a recipe that calls for maple syrup!

15 Recipes Using Maple Syrup:

Give these delicious Ginger Pear Mini Pies a try this fall and savor all kinds of flavors from the season.

This Roasted Peach Vegan Ice Creamfrom Wonky Wonderful sounds like a perfect treat during the fall harvest time.

Maple syrup makes amazing dips. Try out these Sweet Potato Fries with Maple Cinnamon Dip from Mom Endeavors.

Maple Pecan Pie is a classic fall treat. Check out this recipe from Maple Grove Farms of Vermont.

Just reading about this recipe for Sugar Cookies with Maple Syrup Glaze from the DIY Mommy makes my mouth water!

Speaking of amazing cookie recipes with maple syrup, check out these 6 Maple Syrup Cookierecipes from Ben’s Sugar Shack.

Midwest Living has a delicious recipe for Maple Syrup Cake that’s bound to be a hit this fall.

Who says all maple syrup recipes have to be desserts? Check out this recipe for Slow Cooker Baked Beans with Maple Syrup from Genius Kitchen.

Oatmeal Stuffed Baked Apples are one of my all-time favorite treats in the fall. Check out this recipe that includes maple syrup from Mom Endeavors.

Make dinner a real hit with this recipe from Serious Eats for Maple and Mustard Glazed Salmon with Brussels Sprouts.

Corn Flake Crusted French Toast from This Mom Can Cook really takes a classic breakfast and gives it an upgrade.

Elevate your waffles with this recipe from My Recipes for Lemon-Poppy Seed Belgian Waffles with Blackberry Maple Syrup.

Maple Lemonade from Running with Tongs is one way to use maple syrup I would have never even considered. It sounds delicious and refreshing!

Check out this recipe for Maple Avocado Smoothies by Maple from Canada for a quick on-the-go breakfast.

Pair some Maple Thyme Roasted Baby Carrots from Eating Well with your next roast or ham for a delightful side.

What is your favorite way to use maple syrup?

This was originally published 9/27/2013 and was updated and republished 3/21/2018.

About Alea Milham

Alea Milham is the owner of Premeditated Leftovers and the author of Prep-Ahead Meals from Scatch. She shares her tips for saving money and time while reducing waste in her home. Her favorite hobby, gardening, is a frugal source of organic produce for her recipes. She believes it is possible to live fully and eat well while spending less.

Comments

  1. Patricia Ramsey says

    Are you using ‘real’ maple syrup? Can you use pancake syrup the same way? Someone gave me bottles and bottles of pancake syrup so I have been experimenting. So far I can substitute pancake syrup for sugar used in my homemade bread. It has a richer flavor that especially goes well with oatmeal and whole wheat bread. I have not had to adjust the liquids for these.

    Reply

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How to Substitute Maple Syrup for Sugar + 15 Recipes Using Maple Syrup (2024)

FAQs

How to Substitute Maple Syrup for Sugar + 15 Recipes Using Maple Syrup? ›

For most recipes, maple syrup can easily be used to replace an equal amount of granulated white or brown sugar. To substitute for a cup of sugar, replace it with 1 cup of maple syrup and reduce the quantity of other liquids in the recipe by ¼ cup (60 ml) total. *This method works for most recipes.

How much maple syrup to replace sugar in a recipe? ›

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.

How do I substitute maple syrup for maple sugar? ›

As for quantities, looking around online, the common recommendations for replacing 1/2 cup of maple sugar seem to be:
  1. 3/4 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon maple extract; or.
  2. 1 cup maple syrup, and reducing other liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup.
Sep 10, 2012

How much sugar is equal to 1 cup of maple syrup? ›

Maple syrup for sugar

Maple syrup is about as sweet as sugar, so you can replace it using an equal amount of syrup (e.g., for 1 cup of sugar, use 1 cup of maple syrup). Decrease the liquid by 3 to 4 tablespoons per 1 cup substitution.

Can you use maple syrup in baking? ›

Baking with maple syrup is easy because substituting maple for white sugar is a breeze! According to the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association – and they should know – you can substitute each cup of white sugar with 3/4 cup of maple syrup as long as you reduce other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 cup.

Can maple syrup replace sugar syrup? ›

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that contains many vitamins and minerals. It can be used in place of sugar for your recipes. There are a lot of reasons why you should consider buying pure maple syrup instead of sugar.

How much syrup can I use instead of sugar? ›

Here's the conversion: 1 tablespoon white sugar equals about ¾ oz simple syrup.

How much maple syrup to make maple sugar? ›

A quart (one liter) of syrup will yield about 2 pounds (one Kg) of granulated sugar. Granulated maple sugar is prepared by heating maple syrup until the temperature is 45° to 50° F (25° to 28° C) above the boiling point of water.

Why use maple syrup instead of sugar? ›

Maple syrup provides more health benefits than traditional refined sugars. It is a natural sweetener that contains essential minerals such as zinc, potassium, manganese, and calcium. These minerals help boost metabolism and can help regulate blood sugar levels.

Is maple syrup better than sugar in recipes? ›

Given that maple syrup has fewer calories and is better nutritionally than table sugar, you may look to substitute sugar for maple syrup when cooking and baking. Maple syrup tahas a stronger flavour than table sugar, so it's generally recommended to use less in recipes.

How much sugar is 1 4 cup of maple syrup? ›

Almost of the calories in maple syrup come from carbohydrates. There are 216 calories in a 1/4 cup serving and 55.6 grams of carbohydrate. Of those 55.6 grams, 50.2 are sugars.

How much sugar is in 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup? ›

In addition, pure maple syrup contains antioxidants. But 2 tablespoons have 104 calories and 24 grams of sugars, and many other foods have those same nutrients without the high calorie and sugar load.

What percentage of maple syrup is sugar? ›

In order to meet the legal definition, maple syrup must have a sugar content of at least 66 brix (this equates to 66 percent sugar content) at 60°F. Many producers also further process the syrup into value-added products.

Can you bake with maple syrup instead of sugar? ›

If you're looking for a healthier natural sweetener in your baking, substituting maple syrup for white sugar is a great option. It's made from the sap of maple trees and has a delicious flavor that goes well with a variety of baked goods.

How does maple syrup affect baking? ›

When replacing cane sugar with maple syrup in baking, use 3/4 the volume of cane sugar. Maple syrup will add moisture to the recipe, so reduce other liquids to accommodate for the hydration. When it comes to stove top cooking, maple syrup amplifies dishes by balancing flavors with a robust sweetness.

Is baking with maple syrup better than sugar? ›

As a natural sweetener, pure maple syrup contains more nutrients than table sugar and is therefore considered a healthier alternative to table sugar. However, it's still high in sugar, and like any sweetener should be enjoyed in moderation. That said, if you are to pick one, pure maple syrup is the natural choice.

How do you replace sugar in a recipe? ›

As far as liquid sugar substitutes go, the list is long, but some easy pantry staples you probably already have include honey, agave, maple syrup, and molasses. Keep in mind that each has a different flavor profile (or lack thereof—agave is the most neutral), and that it should complement, not clash with your recipe.

What is a substitute for granulated sugar in baking? ›

Here are our top six sugar substitutes when it comes to baking:
  • Coconut sugar. Play video. ...
  • Agave nectar or agave syrup. Play video. ...
  • Fruit concentrates. Unlike fruit juice, which has added sugar, fruit concentrate is basically fruit with the water removed. ...
  • Maple syrup. ...
  • Molasses.
Dec 29, 2020

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