Out of Granulated sugar, one case
Granulated sugar substitutes for baking
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Brown sugar
Same amount as the granulated sugar
For baking, brown sugar (1:1), coconut sugar (1:1), or honey (¾ cup = 1 cup sugar) work best. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, coconut sugar provides similar texture, while honey adds moisture and sweetness.
- Best for —
- cookies
One casethe full granulated sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of granulated sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown sugarcookies | Same amount |
| 2 | Coconut sugarcookies | Same amount |
| 3 | Honeycookies | ¾ cup honey per 1 cup granulated sugar |
| 4 | Maple syrupcookies | ¾ cup maple syrup per 1 cup granulated sugar |
| 5 | Powdered sugarfrostings | 1 ¾ cups powdered per 1 cup granulated |
Brown sugar
sweeter with molasses notes
Brown sugar works excellently in baking and provides moisture and chewiness to baked goods. It adds molasses flavor and makes cookies and cakes more moist.
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, brownies, when you want moisture, when you want chewiness, muffins
- Texture
- more moist and chewy
Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness to baked goods. It makes cookies chewier and cakes more moist than granulated sugar.
Coconut sugar
similar sweetness with caramel notes
Coconut sugar works as a 1:1 substitute for granulated sugar in baking. It provides similar texture and sweetness with slight caramel flavor and lower glycemic index.
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, brownies, when you want 1:1 substitution, when you want natural sweetness, most baking
- Texture
- similar to granulated sugar
Coconut sugar provides similar texture and sweetness to granulated sugar. It has a lower glycemic index and slight caramel flavor.
Honey
sweeter with floral notes
Honey works well in baking but requires adjusting the amount and reducing other liquids. It adds moisture and sweetness with floral notes.
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, brownies, when you want moisture, when you want natural sweetness, muffins
- Texture
- adds moisture
Honey is sweeter than sugar, so use less. It adds moisture to baked goods and may require reducing other liquids in the recipe.
Maple syrup
sweeter with maple flavor
Maple syrup works well in baking but requires adjusting the amount and reducing other liquids. It adds moisture and sweetness with maple flavor.
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, brownies, when you want moisture, when you want maple flavor, muffins
- Texture
- adds moisture
Maple syrup is sweeter than sugar, so use less. It adds moisture to baked goods and may require reducing other liquids in the recipe.
Powdered sugar
identical sweetness
Powdered sugar can substitute for granulated sugar in baking but may affect texture due to the cornstarch. It works well in some recipes but not all.
- Best for
- frostings, glazes, when you want fine texture, some cookies, when you want smooth consistency
- Texture
- may affect texture
Powdered sugar contains cornstarch which may affect texture in some recipes. It works well in frostings and glazes but may not be ideal for all baked goods.
How it behaves in this recipe
Baking requires sweeteners that can provide structure, moisture, and texture to baked goods. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, coconut sugar provides similar texture, while honey and maple syrup add moisture and sweetness. Understanding these differences helps choose the best substitute for each baking application.
Tips for substituting granulated sugar
7 tips- Brown sugar works best in cookies and cakes where you want moisture and chewiness
- Coconut sugar works well as a 1:1 substitute in most baking recipes
- Honey and maple syrup add moisture, so reduce other liquids in the recipe
- Powdered sugar works well in frostings and glazes but may affect texture in baked goods
- For cookies, brown sugar makes them chewier while granulated sugar makes them crispier
- For cakes, brown sugar and honey add moisture while coconut sugar provides similar texture
- For brownies, brown sugar and honey work well for fudgy texture
Notes on granulated sugar
- For a completely different approach, try using other sweeteners like agave nectar or monk fruit
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different sweeteners for layered flavor
- For beverages, consider using simple syrup or other liquid sweeteners
Questions
8 questionsWhat's the best substitute for granulated sugar in cookies?
Brown sugar works best for chewy cookies, while coconut sugar works well for crispy cookies. Use 1:1 ratio for either.
Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in cake?
Yes, brown sugar works well in cake and adds moisture and flavor. Use 1:1 ratio with granulated sugar.
What's the best substitute for granulated sugar in brownies?
Brown sugar or honey work best for fudgy brownies. Brown sugar adds moisture, while honey adds sweetness and moisture.
Can I use coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar in baking?
Yes, coconut sugar works as a 1:1 substitute for granulated sugar in most baking recipes. It provides similar texture and sweetness.
Can I use honey instead of granulated sugar in cookies?
Yes, use ¾ cup honey for every 1 cup granulated sugar. Honey adds moisture and may make cookies chewier.
What's the best substitute for granulated sugar in muffins?
Brown sugar, coconut sugar, or honey work well in muffins. Brown sugar adds moisture, coconut sugar provides similar texture, and honey adds sweetness.
Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar in baking?
Yes, but powdered sugar may affect texture due to the cornstarch. It works well in frostings and glazes but may not be ideal for all baked goods.
What's the best substitute for granulated sugar in frosting?
Powdered sugar works best in frosting as it dissolves easily and provides smooth texture. Use 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar for every 1 cup granulated sugar.