Honey vs Golden Syrup: The British Pantry Staple Compared
Honey vs golden syrup is a question American bakers meet whenever they try a British recipe. Golden syrup is a thick, amber sugar syrup that is a staple in the UK, used in flapjacks, treacle tart and sticky toffee pudding, and it looks a lot like honey. This guide explains what golden syrup is, how it compares with honey, and how to swap one for the other.
What golden syrup is
Golden syrup is made by treating cane sugar syrup so that part of the sucrose splits into glucose and fructose, a process called inversion. This keeps it liquid and stops it crystallizing. The best-known brand has been made in London since the 1880s and is sold in a famous green and gold tin. Its flavor is buttery and caramel-like, without the bitterness of molasses or treacle.
Black treacle is a different product: darker and stronger, closer to molasses.
Honey vs golden syrup at a glance
| Honey | Golden syrup | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Flower nectar, made by bees | Cane sugar, inverted |
| Flavor | Floral; varies by flower | Buttery, caramel |
| Sweetness | Very sweet | Very sweet |
| Crystallizes? | Yes, over time | No |
| Classic uses | Tea, toast, dressings, baking | Flapjacks, treacle tart, porridge |
How golden syrup is used
In Britain, golden syrup is drizzled on porridge and pancakes and baked into flapjacks (oat bars), treacle tart, sticky toffee pudding, ginger cake and Anzac biscuits in Australia and New Zealand. Its job is often texture as well as sweetness: it keeps bakes moist and gives flapjacks their chew.
How to substitute honey for golden syrup
Swap honey for golden syrup one to one by volume. Honey has a stronger, more floral flavor, so choose a mild one, such as Clover honey, to stay close to the original. Honey browns a little faster, so keep an eye on flapjacks and lower the oven by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit if they darken too quickly. Honey also tends to set slightly softer.
Other substitutes include light corn syrup, which is milder and less buttery, and a homemade syrup of sugar, water and lemon juice simmered until amber.
- Flapjacks: swap 1:1 with mild honey
- Treacle tart: swap 1:1; the filling will be more floral
- Porridge and pancakes: swap freely
- Anzac biscuits: swap 1:1; watch the browning
Honey flapjacks
For a simple honey flapjack, melt 1/2 cup butter with 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup honey, stir in 2 1/2 cups rolled oats and a pinch of salt, press into a lined 8-inch pan and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes, until golden at the edges. Cool fully in the pan before cutting. For a granola version, see homemade granola with honey.
Which should you use?
Use golden syrup when you want an authentic British flavor. Use honey when you want a single, natural ingredient, a floral flavor, or simply cannot find golden syrup. For more swaps, see our honey substitute and honey vs corn syrup guides.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use honey instead of golden syrup?
- Yes, one to one. Choose a mild honey and watch for faster browning.
- What does golden syrup taste like?
- Buttery and caramel-like, sweet, without the bitterness of molasses.
- Is golden syrup the same as corn syrup?
- No. Golden syrup is made from cane sugar and tastes of caramel; corn syrup is made from corn starch and is more neutral.
- Is golden syrup the same as treacle?
- Not exactly. Golden syrup is sometimes called light treacle, but black treacle is darker and stronger, closer to molasses.
- Where can I buy golden syrup in the US?
- Many larger supermarkets carry it in the international or baking aisle, and it is widely sold online.
- Will flapjacks set with honey?
- Yes, though they may be slightly softer. Let them cool completely in the pan before cutting.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
