Substitute Honey for Sugar | Blue Flame Kitchen (2024)

Cooking

How do I substitute honey for sugar in baking?

Honey is Mother Nature's original sweetener. Full-bodied flavour and made right here in Alberta, there are lots of reasons to use honey in our recipes. One of the main reasons people choose to sub honey in is because they think it's a healthier choice than sugar.

In truth, honey does have some benefits, like being less processed and having more micronutrients. But we have to be careful. Honey is sweeter and higher in calories than sugar. Plus, honey’s a liquid ingredient, while sugar’s a solid. Before you go swapping out the sugar in your Mee-maw’s famous baking recipes, there are some things you might need to consider first.

To substitute 1 cup of sugar:

  1. Use 2/3 cup honey. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need to use less.
  2. Decrease other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 cup, because there’s water in the honey too.
  3. Lower the baking temperature by 25°F. Honey makes baked goods brown faster.
  4. If there’s already another acidic ingredient in the recipe, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda when you use honey. Honey’s an acid, so if there’s buttermilk, molasses or banana in the recipe, you’ll need to cancel it out with some baking soda.

TIP: Spray measuring tools with cooking spray before measuring honey to help it slide out easily.

Try making these tasty treats with honey, no substitutions needed.

Decrystallizing Honey

Learn how to turn your crystallized honey back into a liquid.

Substitute Honey for Sugar | Blue Flame Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Substitute Honey for Sugar | Blue Flame Kitchen? ›

Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar, so you might use a smaller amount of honey for sugar in some recipes. But honey actually has slightly more carbohydrates and more calories a teaspoon than does granulated sugar. So any calories and carbohydrates you save will be minimal.

What happens if I replace sugar with honey? ›

Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar, so you might use a smaller amount of honey for sugar in some recipes. But honey actually has slightly more carbohydrates and more calories a teaspoon than does granulated sugar. So any calories and carbohydrates you save will be minimal.

How much honey to replace sugar? ›

Honey is largely fructose and is therefore much sweeter than refined sugar. Depending on the honey, it can be two or three times sweeter than sugar. For every 1 cup of sugar, replace it with 1/2 to 2/3 cups of honey.

Can I replace brown sugar with honey? ›

With a few simple recipe modifications, honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar are all suitable replacements for brown sugar. Because these substitutions are liquid, you'll want to take into account how the extra moisture may affect the outcome of your recipe, especially when it comes to baking.

Can I use honey instead of sugar in bread? ›

If you are into making your own bread, try swapping out the sugar for honey! Just substitute honey for the same amount of sugar in the recipe and add a little extra flour to make up for the added moisture.

Does honey break down differently than sugar? ›

Honey is different because of the enzymes that are added to the nectar by bees that divide the sucrose into two simple sugars, fructose and glucose. These sugars are directly absorbed by our bodies and are easier to digest.

What are the benefits of switching sugar with honey? ›

Benefits of honey

Honey has a lower GI value than sugar, meaning that it doesn't raise blood sugar levels as quickly. It's also sweeter than sugar, so you may need less of it, but it does have slightly more calories per teaspoon, so I always keep a close eye on portion sizes.

What is the healthiest alternative to sugar? ›

Sweeteners like fruit juice, honey, molasses and maple syrup contain natural sugar and have some nutritional benefits. Fruit has fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Even raw honey and maple syrup can contain antioxidants and minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and potassium.

When honey turns to sugar is it still good? ›

Many people believe that once their honey has crystallized, it is spoiled and is no longer safe to eat. This is false, as natural honey is one of the only foods that never expires (if sealed properly). Crystallized honey is completely edible- in fact, you can use it in the same ways you use liquid honey!

What is a good substitute for sugar in baking? ›

How to Replace Sugar in Recipes
Sugar1 Tsp1 cup
Honey1/2 Tsp1/2 cup
Maple syrup1/4 Tsp3/4 cup
Stevia1/4 Tsp1 Tsp
Agave nectar1/4 Tsp3/4 cup
5 more rows
Sep 11, 2023

Is baking with honey safe? ›

Science confirms that heating or cooking honey does indeed damage it, thereby eliminating many of its beneficial effects. As per the National Center for Biotechnology, heating honey causes adverse effects. Cooking honey lowers its quality, and it loses essential enzymes and nutrients.

What is the best honey to cook with? ›

Using Honey in Cooking & Baking
  • Best Honey to Substitute for Sugar - Alfalfa Honey. ...
  • Best Honey for Grilling - Palmetto or Black Forest. ...
  • Best Honey for Roasting Vegetables - Lemon Tree. ...
  • Best Honey for Soups, Stews, & Savory Sauces - Acacia & Buckwheat. ...
  • Best Honey for co*cktails - Ghost Pepper or Wild Lavender.
Jun 21, 2021

Can honey be used in baking? ›

What Does Honey do in Baking? Honey is a 'humectant'. This means that it retains moisture- great news for baking as it helps keep biscuits and cake moist. Honey compared with traditional refined sugar, also means you gain a richer colour and fuller flavour.

What happens when you use honey instead of sugar? ›

Is honey better for you than sugar? Honey has a lower GI value than sugar, meaning that it does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you may need less of it, but it does have slightly more calories per teaspoon so it's wise to keep a close eye on your portion sizes.

How much honey to put instead of sugar? ›

Honey is much sweeter than sugar, so use 1/2 - 2/3 cup honey for every cup of sugar in your recipe. Because honey is sweeter than sugar, you might not want to substitute at a 1-1 ratio (even though you can up to one cup).

How do you use honey instead of sugar in a recipe? ›

To substitute 1 cup of sugar: Use 2/3 cup honey. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need to use less.

Is honey a healthier alternative to sugar? ›

People often consider honey to be healthier than sugar, but it depends on the use. Like sugar, honey is high in carbs, can raise blood sugar levels, and is high in calories. Both honey and sugar add sweetness to meals and snacks. However, they have different tastes, textures, and nutritional profiles.

Can you lose weight by replacing sugar with honey? ›

Being on a weight loss journey is about keeping calorie count, exercises, and restricting oneself with diet. Honey is one ingredient every Indian is sure by. Not only can you use honey as a replacement for sugar but it can also help promote weight loss when taken in the right amount.

Is honey bad when it turns to sugar? ›

Honey crystallization isn't a bad thing. Honey contains more sugar than water, so over time, these sugars begin to separate and crystallize. This is actually a sign of a raw, pure, less adulterated honey product. Crystallization is somewhat preventable and reversible.

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