Is Karo syrup the same thing as molasses?
Verified. Hello,No, Karo syrup and molasses is two different things. Molasses is a thick, brown to deep black, honey-like substance made when cane or beet sugar is processed. It is enjoyed as a sweetener in many countries, and most particularly in England where it is called treacle. Karo Syrup is a brand of thick corn syrup made from a concentrated solution of dextrose and other sugars derived from corn starch with preservatives and flavorings.
Do I have to use Karo syrup as corn syrup?
No. According to Harold McGee, high-fructose corn syrup goes through an additional process to make it sweeter than standard corn syrup. Karo, the company that makes most of the corn syrup found on supermarket shelves in America, has come out with Karo Lite, which contains no high-fructose corn syrup.
Does Karo syrup have caffeine?
Karo Syrup IS corn syrup. However, Karo does not contain high fructose corn syrup, the ingredient that has the medical community up in arms. While research is still ongoing, limit fructose consumption. The body doesn't process it well, and it puts stress on the liver, causing health ...
Can Karo syrup harm your baby if given to much?
Can I Give My Baby Karo Syrup? Answer: Not Effective. Honey and corn syrup may also contain spores of bacteria that cause botulism, a potentially fatal disease. Your baby’s intestines do not develop the defense mechanism our bodies have to fight these bacteria until after the age of one. This is not the case for corn syrup in all foods.
Can I substitute honey for Karo syrup?
You can substitute an equal amount of honey for light corn syrup in many recipes. Like maple syrup, honey is not the best choice for making candies or caramel because it may crystallize.
Can I substitute maple syrup for Karo syrup?
Maple Syrup. Our favorite pancake topper can be used as a one-to-one substitute for corn syrup in most recipes (but not candy making). Just keep in mind that maple syrup has quite a strong, earthy flavor.
Can I replace sugar with Karo syrup?
Although corn syrup and granulated sugars are both sweeteners, it is not possible to use them interchangeably in recipes. Because corn syrup is a liquid, it cannot be substituted for granulated sugar without adjusting other ingredients, particularly in baked goods.
What does Karo syrup do in a recipe?
Corn syrup is often added to fudge recipes to keep them from getting grainy, again by inhibiting the formation of large sugar crystals. That's also the reason it's sometimes added to cookie glazes: smaller crystals mean the frosting is shinier when it dries.
Can I use pancake syrup instead of corn syrup?
1 cup maple syrup or pancake syrup – Replace the light corn syrup in your recipe with the same amount of maple syrup. Better yet, use pancake syrup. It's made from light corn syrup and maple flavoring, so it'll get all the intended corn syrup into your recipe.
Can you use cornstarch instead of corn syrup?
Do not directly replace cornstarch for corn syrup. While corn syrup is derived from cornstarch, its consistencies, cooking qualities, and taste are different. Cornstarch is a thickening agent, while corn syrup is sugar. One cannot be substituted for the other.
Can I substitute brown sugar for corn syrup?
For each cup of light corn syrup in a recipe, substitute 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup water. For each cup of dark corn syrup, substitute 1 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup water.
Do they still make Karo syrup?
Karo Syrups are still adding a bit of sweetness and giving a smooth texture to an incredible number of loved dishes, such as pies, candies, glazes, sauces, beverages and ice creams.
Can you substitute granulated sugar for corn syrup?
You can replace 1 cup of light corn syrup with 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water or other liquid used in the recipe.
What ingredients are in Karo syrup?
Karo | Dark Corn Syrup | Ingredients: corn syrup, salt, vanilla, refiners (cane) syrup, caramel flavor, sodium benzoate.
Is Karo syrup corn syrup?
Share on Pinterest Karo is a type of corn syrup that has a laxative effect. People mainly use Karo syrup in recipes to keep food moist and prevent sugar crystallization. Karo syrup is a commercial corn syrup derived from the starch of maize.
What can you use instead of corn syrup in pecan pie?
What can I substitute for corn syrup in pecan pie?Maple Syrup.Cane Syrup.Honey.Brown Rice Syrup.Agave Nectar.
What does Karo Syrup Taste Like?
Karo syrup presents a light and sweet taste much like that of honey, with after-notes of corn. It is quite common for most corn syrup companies to introduce additives into the particular ingredient matrix of corn syrup, and as such these ingredients will alter the flavor of the syrup somewhat.
What is Karo Syrup Used For?
Karo syrup is used for a positively massive number of purposes, perhaps being one of the most widely used ingredients throughout the U.S. food industry. Primarily, karo syrup acts as a sweetener in the instance that pure sugar is too costly or otherwise inconvenient to use.
Flavor Substitutes for Karo Syrup
Since the primary purpose for using karo syrup is its uniquely sweet taste, many home chefs find that their chief concern when choosing to replace this particular ingredient is whether its substitution will measure up to the taste.
Textural Substitutes for Karo Syrup
As karo syrup is a very versatile ingredient that changes its form depending on what sort of dish it is being prepared in, the textural substitutes for karo syrup are numerous, though one must choose the appropriate one for the particular food or drink they are making.
Cooking Substitutes for Karo Syrup
Karo syrup, being a very widely used ingredient in many confectioneries and baked goods, has many viable replacements that can replicate its thickening and anti-crystallization effects under the correct temperatures.
Agave Nectar
One of the best alternatives to karo syrup in pecan pie is agave nectar. Agave nectar is one of the best alternatives you can find to add in your meals. This is because agave nectar is a bit more neutral in flavour than other substitutes and it is still a liquid at room temperature plus it is similar in sweetness level.
Brown Rice Syrup
Another great substitute for karo syrup in pecan pie is brown rice syrup. Brown rice syrup is made by breaking down rice starches into sugars then boiling them into a syrup. To use brown rice syrup in place of karo syrup use a one-to-one substitution ratio. You can also use brown rice syrup for candy making since it helps prevent crystallization.
Honey
Honey can also work as a great substitute for karo syrup in pecan pie. However, honey will not prevent crystallization the same way corn syrup does so it is not the best choice for making candy but you can use it in other recipes though.
Golden Syrup
Also, on our list of best substitutes for karo syrup is golden syrup. Golden syrup is one of the best substitutes for karo syrup in pecan pie because it is not as strong as honey can be to your meal. This British pantry staple has a light, buttery flavour and can be used in place of karo syrup at a one-to-one ratio.
Cane Syrup
Cane syrup, also a good substitute for karo syrup in pecan pie, is made by extracting the juice from raw sugar cane stalks and boiling it down until thick. You can use cane syrup in place of karo syrup in your pecan pie at a one to one ratio.
Sugar and Water
You can use sugar and water in place of karo syrup in pecan pie. To substitute karo syrup with sugar and water for each cup of light karo syrup, substitute 1 cup granulated sugar dissolved in a quarter cup of warm water.
Maple Syrup
Many people’s favourite pancake topper can also be used in place of karo syrup. In order to use maple syrup in place of karo syrup substitute it at a one-to-one ratio for karo syrup in pecan pie as well as in other recipes. Just like honey and sugar solution maple syrup is not a good substitute for karo syrup.
See Which Will Work Best in Your Recipe
Erin Huffstetler is a writer with experience writing about easy ways to save money at home.
Light Corn Syrup Substitutes
You can replace 1 cup of corn syrup with one of these simple substitutes:
Which Will Work Best in Your Recipe?
Corn syrup doesn't add flavor to a recipe—just sweetness—so sugar is definitely the best substitute in terms of flavor. By dissolving it in water, you're creating a concentrated simple syrup. This liquid form is a great substitute for pies (like pecan) and coated fruits.
International Substitutes
If you haven't been able to find corn syrup locally, glucose syrup (also known as confectioner's glucose) or golden syrup can be used in its place. In fact, corn syrup is just a type of glucose syrup. It can also be made from potatoes, wheat, rice, and a few other things.
Corn syrup vs high fructose corn syrup
First, let's make this important distinction. Corn syrup is a sugar made by extracting and refining the glucose from the plant. Corn syrup is a sugar that has been extracted from corn and processed into a liquid form. What’s left is a thick and light syrup that’s 100 percent glucose.
1. Sugar and Water
For each cup of light corn syrup, substitute 1 cup granulated sugar dissolved in ¼ cup warm water. Need dark corn syrup? Substitute 1 cup packed brown sugar for the granulated sugar and dissolve it into ¼ cup water.
2. Honey
Corn syrup and honey are equal replacements (meaning you can substitute 1 cup honey for 1 cup corn syrup). But similar to sugar, honey won’t prevent crystallization, so it’s not the best choice for making caramel or candy, but it can work well in other recipes as long as you don’t mind its distinct flavor.
3. Agave Nectar
A one-to-one substitution, agave syrup (aka agave nectar) has a mild flavor that works great in most recipes that call for corn syrup. (But again, not candy.).
4. Brown Rice Syrup
If you’re looking for a corn syrup substitute that’ll work in candy recipes that need to go to the hard-ball stage, opt for brown rice syrup. This sticky mixture has the same chemical properties of corn syrup and will prevent crystallization.
5. Golden Syrup
A pantry staple in the U.K., this buttery syrup can be substituted one-to-one for corn syrup and can also be used in candy making.
6. Cane Syrup
This popular Southern ingredient tastes similar to molasses and can replace corn syrup in equal measurements. But again, this substitute won’t work in candy recipes since it won’t prevent crystallization.

Overview of Karo Syrup
Why Replace Karo Syrup?
- Many people replace Karo for many reasons. The major reason, however, remains unavailability. Instead of dashing to the grocery the moment you find karo empty in your pantry, you can seamlessly replace it with any of these substitutents in your meal, and obtain nearly the same results. Allergies could also be a deal breaker. Corn allergies, though uncommon, are very sever…
Best Recommended Substitute For Karo Syrup: Syrup
- Asides their constipation-prevention duties, karo syrups are primarily used in the culinary world as sweeteners (their high cooking point is an added feather in their cap). To this end, anything that can add sweetness can replace them. And what’s the number one sweetener in the world? Sugar! Whatever sugar you have in your pantry. Be it brown, turbinado, muscovado, demerara, sand, gra…