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Honey substitute

Sugar and sweeteners · Checked against 4 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Replace 1 cup of honey with 1 and a quarter cups of sugar plus a quarter cup of the liquid the recipe already uses. Corn syrup also swaps 1 for 1. Sugar lacks honey's flavor. Honey is not an option for infants under a year.

How much do you need?

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

Show only options that are

What to use

  1. Sugar and liquid

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 ¼ cups 250 g granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup 59 ml the recipe's liquid (water, milk, juice)
    How
    Dissolve the sugar in the liquid.
    Best for
    Baking, sauces.
    What changes
    No honey flavor. Honey makes baked goods moister.

  2. Corn syrup

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 cup 235 ml corn syrup
    Best for
    Baking and candy.
    What changes
    Milder.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Which swap for which job

UsePickWhy
BakingSugar and liquidExtension standard.

Do not substitute here

  • Babies under 12 months. Honey. Use another sweetener or none.

Questions

Can I use maple syrup?

Charts do not list a ratio. It is thinner than honey.

Sources

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.