How to Make White Corn Syrup

Through a lengthy process corn is broken down into different products, one of which is corn syrup.

There seems to be a ton of misinformation on the Internet about the source of corn syrup. According to the Corn Refiners Association, however, "Starch, suspended in water, is liquefied in the presence of acid and/or enzymes which convert the starch to a low-dextrose solution." So use corn starch to make white or dark corn syrup at home. One producer of syrup defines light or white corn syrup as "a mixture of corn syrup flavored with salt and pure vanilla."

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Pan
• Spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cup
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp. powdered alum
• 1/8 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Pour 2/3 cup cold water into a bowl, add 2 tbsp. cornstarch and stir.

2. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and boil. Stir it often.

3. Add 2 cups sugar when the mixture is no longer cloudy. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

4. Boil the mixture until it reaches the desired thickness. Stir in 1/8 tsp. powdered alum and 1/8 tsp. vanilla.

Tips & Warnings

• Corn syrup thickens as it cools.

References

• Cooks: Recipe Cornstarch Corn Syrup
• Karo Syrup: FAQ
• Corn Refiners Association: The Corn Refining Process
• Recipezaar: Corn Syrup