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Molasses substitute

Sugar and sweeteners · Checked against 2 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Replace 1 cup of molasses with three-quarters cup of sugar, 5 tablespoons more liquid, and 1 and a quarter teaspoons of cream of tartar. Or drop the baking soda by half a teaspoon and add 2 teaspoons of baking powder. You lose the deep flavor. Use it for texture only.

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, liquid and cream of tartar

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • ¾ cup 150 g granulated sugar
    • 1 ¼ tsp 6 ml cream of tartar
    • 5 tbsp 74 ml more liquid (milk or water)
    Best for
    Baking, when molasses is a small part.
    What changes
    No molasses flavor.
    Skip it when
    Gingerbread.

  2. Sugar, liquid and baking powder

    • Vegan
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • ¾ cup 150 g granulated sugar
    • 5 tbsp 74 ml more liquid (milk or water)
    • 2 tsp 10 ml baking powder
    How
    Also reduce the baking soda in the recipe by half a teaspoon.
    Best for
    Baking.
    What changes
    Flatter flavor.

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
BakingEither mixBoth balance the acid that molasses brings.

Do not substitute here

  • Gingerbread and baked beans. Sugar. The molasses is the flavor.

Questions

Can I use dark brown sugar?

It has molasses, so it brings some flavor. No chart gives a ratio.

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.