Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (2024)

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My Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute is a candy-like sauce that cooks up to be super thick, full-bodied, and sweet just like real corn syrup.

By Gemma Stafford | | 493

Last updated on November 23, 2022

Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (1)

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In true Bold Baking Basics fashion, my Corn Syrup recipe is for an ingredient I never came across when baking in Ireland. Corn syrup is a common baking ingredient in America, but if I saw a recipe using corn syrup back home I knew I couldn’t make that recipe. It’s baking hacks like these that allow you to bake anything you want, no matter where you are in the world!

So, my recipe is for all of you Bold Bakers that don’t want to use corn syrup, for those who simply cannot find it, and for those who like to make it all from scratch. While this recipe for homemade corn syrup is not anexact recipefor corn syrup, it is the perfect substitute. I have great recipes for ingredients like Homemade Cream Cheese or Condensed Milk on my Bold Baking Basics page!

What are substitutes for corn syrup?

Making this corn syrup substitute could not be easier. Made of only sugar, water, cream of tartar, and lemon juice, this candy-like sauce cooks up to be super thick, full-bodied, and sweet just like corn syrup.

[ Need more substitution ideas? How about how to Substitute Eggs! ]

There are other corn syrup substitutes out there like rice syrup, golden syrup, and glucose syrup — which are easier to find in Europe. That said, all of these substitutes do not yield the same color and texture as my homemade sub. If you’re looking for a corn-free corn syrup substitute, this is hands down the most effective one.

Is glucose syrup the same as corn syrup?

Yes, corn syrup is in fact a variety of glucose syrup and my substitute is as well. Again, the major difference here is that mine is made with no corn what-so-ever, no artificial ingredients, or stabilizers.

Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (2)

How can I use Corn Syrup?

Use my Corn Syrup Substitute to make Homemade Marshmallows and even Rolled Fondant.

How long does this corn syrup substitute last?

As this substitute has no preservatives it will last for up to 3 months.

While that’s not the same shelf life as store-bought corn syrup, it’s still quite a long time. This means that once you make one batch, you can almost always have this on hand for all of your cooking and baking needs that call for corn syrup.

Get More Bold Baking Basics!

  • Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • How to Make a Molasses Substitute
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  • Hot Chocolate Mix

Check out my new cookbook,BiggerBolder Baking Every Day, for more great baking basics and classic recipes!

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Easy Almond Flour Baking Mix Recipe
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Watch The Recipe Video!

Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute

4.48 from 355 votes

Print Recipe

My Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute is a candy-like sauce cooks up to be super thick, full-bodied, and sweet just like real corn syrup.

Author: Gemma Stafford

  • Limited Ingredients
  • Stovetop
  • Saucepan

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

My Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute is a candy-like sauce cooks up to be super thick, full-bodied, and sweet just like real corn syrup.

Author: Gemma Stafford

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (16oz/450g) sugar
  • 3/4 cup (6floz/170ml) water
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (there is no substitute for this)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice*
  • a pinch of salt

Instructions

  • In a heavy bottomed saucepan, over medium heat, add the sugar, water, cream of tartar, salt and lemon juice.

  • Once the sugar dissolves, turn down the heat and let the syrup simmer steadily until it reduces significantly and becomes a thick syrup that drips off your spatula slowly. This will take roughly 15 to 20 minutes. You can test if it's ready by putting a drop on a cold plate and placing it back in the fridge for 10 minutes. If it is really thick once it's cold then it is ready. To be even more exact, you want it to reaches 230°F (110°C) on a candy thermometer.

  • Remove from the heat and put the pot in a bowl of cold water to cool it down quickly. Once the syrup cools down completely use as directed in your recipe.

  • You will end up with roughly 1 1/3 cups (14oz/398g) of corn syrup substitute. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 months.

Recipe Notes

*The lemon juice prevents the sugars from crystallizing once stored.

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (9)

Kathy

4 years ago

Hi,

I made this, using Truvia, instead of sugar, and it turned out great. It was an awesome substitute in the pecan pie I made.

39

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Tracie Rye

4 years ago

Hi Gemma. I have just made this but I just couldn’t get it to the point where it dropped off the spatula. I gave up after 50 minutes. It seems ok and tastes ok but it is more of a golden colour. So it still alright? Or have I burnt it?

13

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (11)

Jean Wood

4 years ago

Hi, Gemma.
Will this substitute work for Candy such as Carmels

12

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (12)

Karri

4 years ago

Can this be used instead of corn syrup in a cotton candy recipe?

10

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (13)

Jules

3 years ago

Thank you so much for this!! I’m in Ireland an watched ina garten make marshmallows an wanted to have a go but couldn’t find corn syrup!! I’m so happy 😁

9

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (14)

Debra L Covault

3 years ago

Can you make a double batch or do you have to make each batch separately?

5

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (15)

Andreina

4 years ago

Loved this recipe …..my merengue to cover up the cake was delicious and BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU

3

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (16)

Mishka

2 years ago

Hi Gemma

Can you use this recipe to make almond rocca?
I love all your recipes! Thx. Kind regards

2

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (17)

Melissa

2 years ago

I love this! I’ve been trying to get granola and cereal bars to turn out like I wanted them to. This syrup is absolutely perfect! Thank you so much!

1

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (18)

sheethal

3 years ago

hi. can this be stored gornlater use and how?

1

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About Us

Meet Gemma

Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (24)

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

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Perfect Homemade Corn Syrup Substitute Recipe - Bold Baking Basics (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of corn syrup for thickening? ›

9 Corn Syrup Substitutes for Silky Sauces and Crackly Candy
  1. Agave nectar. “If I had to make a substitution, I would probably try agave first,” says New York City-based recipe developer Janine Desiderio. ...
  2. Brown rice syrup. ...
  3. Honey. ...
  4. Golden syrup. ...
  5. Black treacle. ...
  6. Cane syrup. ...
  7. Tapioca syrup. ...
  8. Maple syrup.
Oct 24, 2022

Which of the following ingredients can be used as a substitute for 1 cup corn syrup? ›

Corn syrup, 1 cup.

Substitute with 1 cup sugar plus 1/4 cup water.

Can you skip corn syrup in a recipe? ›

Because corn syrup plays an important role in developing texture for many recipes, it's best not to leave it out. Instead of omitting it altogether, choose an alternative as a worthy swap.

Do cornstarch and water make corn syrup? ›

Cornstarch Corn Syrup - Recipe - Cooks.com. Mix the cornstarch with the cold water; place in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring while cooking. When it becomes clear, add the sugar. Boil down until it is the thickness of prepared corn syrup.

What is a good substitute for corn syrup in pecan pie? ›

For every one cup of corn syrup that the recipe calls for, use one cup of maple syrup instead. The great thing about maple syrup is it has some nutritional benefits. Maple syrup contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, such as Vitamin B6, calcium, niacin, potassium, and riboflavin.

What is a natural thickening agent for syrup? ›

  • Cornstarch. Cornstarch is the most common thickening agent used in the industry. ...
  • Pre-gelatinized Starches. Pre-gelatinized starches are mixed with sugar and then added to the water or juice. ...
  • Arrowroot. ...
  • Agar-Agar. ...
  • Algin (Sodium Alginate) ...
  • Gelatin. ...
  • Gum Arabic or Acacia. ...
  • Gum Tragacanth.

How to turn cornstarch into corn syrup? ›

  1. Bring 3 3/4 cups water to a rolling boil.
  2. While waiting for water to boil, mix cornstarch into 1/4 cup water. ...
  3. Once water boils, slowly stir in cornstarch mixture.
  4. If using essential oil or lemon juice, add to mixture and continue to stir for one minute.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool.
Mar 19, 2017

What is a diabetic substitute for corn syrup? ›

Stevia. Made from the leaves of the stevia plant, stevia is a healthier sweetener that is free of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar. It may be a particularly good choice for people with diabetes because it doesn't increase blood sugar or insulin levels the way regular sugar or corn syrup may ( 5 , 6 ).

Can I replace corn syrup with honey? ›

Corn syrup and honey are equal replacements (meaning you can substitute 1 cup honey for 1 cup corn syrup). But similar to sugar, honey won't prevent crystallization, so it's not the best choice for making caramel or candy. That said, it can work well in other recipes as long as you don't mind its distinct flavor.

What is corn syrup the same as? ›

Essentially, glucose and corn syrup are the same thing. All corn syrup is glucose syrup, but not all glucose syrup is corn syrup. This means they can be used interchangeably, but as mentioned above, they are different types of glucose syrups that can aid in certain recipes.

Can I substitute honey for corn syrup in a pie? ›

If you do not have corn syrup for your pecan pie recipe, honey is an excellent substitute.

Is corn syrup just sugar and water? ›

Corn syrup is a sweet, viscous syrup derived from cornstarch (yes, the same type you have in the pantry). It's made by combining cornstarch with water, then introducing enzymes that convert the starches to sugars, like glucose. The more the syrup is refined, the sweeter and more viscous it becomes.

Can you substitute brown sugar for corn syrup? ›

For each cup of light corn syrup in a recipe, substitute 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup water. For each cup of dark corn syrup, substitute 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup water.

How can I avoid corn syrup? ›

How to Cut Down on High-Fructose Corn Syrup
  1. Read ingredient labels. It may be in more processed foods than you think.
  2. Cut down on sodas and other sweetened drinks. Drink water instead. ...
  3. Snack on whole foods like nuts and fruits instead of cookies and candy.
  4. Go with homemade baked goods instead of store-bought ones.

Can we make corn syrup at home? ›

In a heavy bottomed saucepan, over medium heat, add the sugar, water, cream of tartar, salt and lemon juice. Once the sugar dissolves, turn down the heat and let the syrup simmer steadily until it reduces significantly and becomes a thick syrup that drips off your spatula slowly.

Is Karo syrup the same as corn syrup? ›

Karo syrup is a popular brand of corn syrup, which is obtained from corn starch that is derived from maize. It is a concentrated solution of several sugars, such as glucose (dextrose), derived from corn starch. Because of various sugars, corn syrup has a naturally mild sweet taste.

What is the natural ingredient in corn syrup? ›

Corn syrup is a food syrup which is made from the starch of corn/maize and contains varying amounts of sugars: glucose, maltose and higher oligosaccharides, depending on the grade.

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