Substitute Honey for Sugar | Blue Flame Kitchen (2024)

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How do I substitute honey for sugar in baking?

Honey is Mother Nature's original sweetener. Full-bodied flavour and made right here in Alberta, there are lots of reasons to use honey in our recipes. One of the main reasons people choose to sub honey in is because they think it's a healthier choice than sugar.

In truth, honey does have some benefits, like being less processed and having more micronutrients. But we have to be careful. Honey is sweeter and higher in calories than sugar. Plus, honey’s a liquid ingredient, while sugar’s a solid. Before you go swapping out the sugar in your Mee-maw’s famous baking recipes, there are some things you might need to consider first.

To substitute 1 cup of sugar:

  1. Use 2/3 cup honey. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need to use less.
  2. Decrease other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 cup, because there’s water in the honey too.
  3. Lower the baking temperature by 25°F. Honey makes baked goods brown faster.
  4. If there’s already another acidic ingredient in the recipe, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda when you use honey. Honey’s an acid, so if there’s buttermilk, molasses or banana in the recipe, you’ll need to cancel it out with some baking soda.

TIP: Spray measuring tools with cooking spray before measuring honey to help it slide out easily.

Try making these tasty treats with honey, no substitutions needed.

Decrystallizing Honey

Learn how to turn your crystallized honey back into a liquid.

Substitute Honey for Sugar | Blue Flame Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Substitute Honey for Sugar | Blue Flame Kitchen? ›

Honey is largely fructose and is therefore much sweeter than refined sugar. Depending on the honey, it can be two or three times sweeter than sugar. For every 1 cup of sugar, replace it with 1/2 to 2/3 cups of honey.

How much honey to replace sugar? ›

Honey is largely fructose and is therefore much sweeter than refined sugar. Depending on the honey, it can be two or three times sweeter than sugar. For every 1 cup of sugar, replace it with 1/2 to 2/3 cups of honey.

What happens when you use honey instead of sugar? ›

Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar, so you might use a smaller amount of honey for sugar in some recipes. But honey actually has slightly more carbohydrates and more calories a teaspoon than does granulated sugar. So any calories and carbohydrates you save will be minimal.

What can I use instead of sugar and honey? ›

What can you substitute for honey?
  • Raw sugar.
  • Brown sugar.
  • Maple syrup.
  • Molasses.
  • Agave syrup.
  • Corn syrup.
  • Barley malt syrup.
  • Date paste.
Jan 28, 2022

What is a good honey substitute for diabetics? ›

Maple syrup offers several advantages over honey for individuals with certain chronic health conditions, such as those suffering from diabetes mellitus (a metabolic disorder in which there is increased blood sugar) or chronic migraine.

Can I use honey instead of sugar in bread making? ›

If it's real honey, not adulterated with corn syrup or anything, then you can probably substitute it 1:1 for sugar- I usually do so with my go-to white bread recipe.

Which is the safest sugar substitute? ›

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

Which is healthier, sugar or honey? ›

"Honey's advantages over sugar include a slightly lower glycemic index (i.e. it doesn't affect your blood-sugar levels as much)," Dr. Dixon says. 10 "It also contains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, such as calcium, potassium, vitamin C, zinc, phenolic acids, and flavonoids."

Is honey ok for diabetics? ›

Generally speaking, yes, it's OK to eat honey if you have diabetes. But you should consume it in moderation. Although honey has a lower glycemic index (GI) than table sugar, it still contains sugar. And any type of sugar will raise your blood glucose levels.

Is it better to bake with honey or sugar? ›

Honey results in a moister, fluffier texture.

Sugar is a dry, loose granule, and it imparts that texture to baked goods. Cookies and cakes made with sugar tend to be more dry and to crumble more easily. Meanwhile, goods made with honey are deliciously moist and have a tighter crumb that does not disintegrate as easily.

Does honey go bad? ›

Honey does not spoil, however for best quality, the USDA recommends storing honey for up to 12 months,” Amidor says. “After that time, it remains safe but the quality may not be as good. If the honey becomes cloudy, crystallized or solidified this is not a food safety concern.”

What is the best sugar substitute for baking for diabetics? ›

The best sweeteners for people with diabetes
  • Stevia.
  • Tagatose.
  • Sucralose.
  • Aspartame.
  • Acesulfame potassium.
  • Saccharin.
  • Neotame.
  • Monk fruit.

Can you put honey in coffee? ›

If you don't like processed sugar or preservatives, it's better to use raw honey. All you have to do is to add 1-2 teaspoons to your coffee and that's all. It is a good idea to allow the coffee to cool down a bit before adding the honey because if it is too hot, you may lose the nutritional value of the honey.

Is honey good for high blood pressure? ›

Honey may also help prevent heart disease. According to one review, honey may help lower blood pressure, improve blood fat levels, regulate your heartbeat, and prevent the death of healthy cells — all factors that can improve your heart function and health ( 6 ).

Is banana good for diabetes? ›

Takeaway. A person with diabetes should include a variety of fresh, whole foods in their diet, such as nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized eating plan.

Is peanut butter good for diabetics? ›

Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.

Does honey count as sugar intake? ›

Risk of other health conditions: As honey contains sugar, consuming too much of it may increase a person's risk of developing obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

When cutting out sugar does honey count? ›

Sugar-free diets encourage people to avoid table sugar (sucrose), sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup, refined flours, condiments, soft drinks, sweets and some fruits such as bananas. Some also recommend eliminating or restricting dairy products.

Does honey turn to fat like sugar? ›

Although honey does not contain fat, it can still contribute to weight gain as it contains calories (like all foods), but only if you consistently eat more calories than your body needs in a day. However, as honey is naturally sweeter than your regular sugar, less is needed to achieve the same sweetness.

When honey turns to sugar is it still good? ›

Many people believe that once their honey has crystallized, it is spoiled and is no longer safe to eat. This is false, as natural honey is one of the only foods that never expires (if sealed properly). Crystallized honey is completely edible- in fact, you can use it in the same ways you use liquid honey!

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