How to Substitute Maple Syrup for Brown Sugar

Brown sugar can be replaced with maple syrup.

A fairly common problem in any household kitchen is running out of key ingredients, such as brown sugar. While this can be frustrating, many sweeteners can be used interchangeably. If a recipe calls for brown sugar, you can replace it with maple syrup, for example. Since brown sugar is a solid substance and maple syrup is a liquid, you will have to make some adjustments to the quantities when you replace one for the other.

Instructions

1. Reduce each cup of brown sugar in the recipe by ¼ cup when you replace it with maple syrup. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of brown sugar, you need ¾ cup of maple syrup. This rule applies for both baking and cooking.

2. Reduce the liquids in the recipe by 3 tbsp. if you're baking. Maple syrup adds extra liquid, so you must take out another liquid to balance it. Reduce the amount of water if the recipe calls for it, as water has little flavor compared to other liquids. Do not reduce the liquid in cooking recipes.

3. Substitute the brown sugar with Grade A maple syrups labeled "Light" or "Medium" if you want a mild syrup flavor. Use a maple syrup labeled "Dark" if you want a strong maple syrup presence. If you want the maple syrup to be the star of the recipe, use a syrup labeled "Extra Dark for Cooking."

Tips & Warnings

• When cooking on the stove, you can add more or less syrup to the recipe to fit your personal tastes. Do not, however, change the recommended amount of syrup for baking recipes.

References

• O-Chef: Interchanging Sweeteners
• Northern New York Agricultural Development Program: Replacing Sugar With Maple Syrup