White sugar substitutes
White sugar substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Brown sugar
Same amount as the white sugar
Sugar with molasses added for moisture and caramel flavor. Very similar to white sugar in most applications.
The best substitutes for white sugar are brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or stevia, depending on your dietary needs and recipe requirements.
- Best for —
- baking
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of white sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 2 | Honeybaking | ¾ cup honey per 1 cup white sugar |
| 3 | Maple syrupbaking | ¾ cup maple syrup per 1 cup white sugar |
| 4 | Coconut sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 5 | Steviabeverages | 1 tsp stevia powder or ½ tsp liquid stevia per 1 cup white sugar |
| 6 | Erythritolbaking | Same amount |
Brown sugar
caramel, slightly different
Sugar with molasses added for moisture and caramel flavor. Very similar to white sugar in most applications.
- Best for
- baking, desserts, cookies, cakes, sauces
- Texture
- moist, similar
Adds moisture and caramel flavor. Works well in most recipes that call for white sugar.
Honey
floral, slightly different
Natural sweetener with floral flavor. Adds moisture and helps with browning in baked goods.
- Best for
- baking, desserts, beverages, glazes, marinades
- Texture
- moist, sticky
Reduce other liquids by ¼ cup and lower oven temperature by 25°F. Adds floral flavor.
Maple syrup
maple, distinctive
Natural sweetener with distinctive maple flavor. Adds moisture and helps with browning.
- Best for
- baking, desserts, beverages, glazes, pancakes
- Texture
- moist, sticky
Reduce other liquids by ¼ cup and lower oven temperature by 25°F. Adds maple flavor.
Coconut sugar
caramel, slightly different · similar texture
Natural sugar made from coconut palm sap. Similar to brown sugar in flavor and texture.
- Best for
- baking, desserts, beverages, sauces, natural recipes
Slightly less sweet than white sugar. Has caramel-like flavor similar to brown sugar.
Stevia
very sweet, slight aftertaste
Natural zero-calorie sweetener that's much sweeter than sugar. No calories or carbs.
- Best for
- beverages, frosting, low-carb baking, diabetic-friendly recipes
- Texture
- no texture change
Much sweeter than sugar - start with less and taste. May have slight aftertaste.
Erythritol
similar, slight cooling effect · similar texture
Natural zero-calorie sweetener that measures like sugar. No calories or carbs.
- Best for
- baking, beverages, frosting, low-carb recipes, diabetic-friendly recipes
May have a cooling effect in large amounts. Doesn't caramelize like sugar.
Questions
5 questionsCan I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?
Yes, brown sugar is a good substitute for white sugar. It adds moisture and caramel flavor, making it great for cookies and cakes.
What's the difference between white sugar and brown sugar?
White sugar is refined and has a neutral flavor, while brown sugar contains molasses which adds moisture and caramel flavor. Both provide sweetness but have different characteristics.
Can I use honey instead of white sugar in baking?
Yes, honey can substitute for white sugar in baking. Use ¾ cup honey for every 1 cup white sugar and reduce other liquids by ¼ cup.
Why is white sugar so popular in baking?
White sugar is popular because it has a neutral flavor, helps with browning, provides structure to baked goods, and caramelizes beautifully for flavor and color.
Can I use artificial sweeteners instead of white sugar?
Yes, but they may not work well in all recipes. Some artificial sweeteners don't caramelize or provide the same texture as sugar in baked goods.
Tips for substituting white sugar
10 tips- White sugar is the most versatile sweetener for baking and cooking
- White sugar caramelizes at 320°F, creating golden brown color and rich flavor
- For creaming butter and sugar, use room temperature ingredients for best results
- White sugar helps create tender, moist baked goods by absorbing moisture
- When substituting liquid sweeteners, reduce other liquids by ¼ cup
- White sugar can be used to make simple syrups for cocktails and beverages
- Store white sugar in an airtight container to prevent clumping
- White sugar helps stabilize egg whites when making meringues
- For caramelization, use white sugar with a little water and heat slowly
- White sugar is essential for making traditional caramel and toffee