This Homemade Maple Syrup Alternative is a delicious swap for maple syrup. It's budget-friendly, easy to make, and has better ingredients than store-bought table syrup. While there's no beating real maple syrup, this recipe comes very close! (Vegan, Gluten Free).
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This Homemade Maple Syrup Alternative is a yummy and cheap swap for real maple syrup. The recipe takes just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to make. And, it's better for you than most store-bought syrups.
As a Canadian, I've grown up enjoying maple syrup my whole life. There's truly no comparison to real maple syrup. But, sometimes you run out and need a quick substitute. Or, perhaps maple syrup is too expensive. Or, maybe it's hard to find in your city. Whatever the reason...this homemade maple syrup "cheat" is surprisingly close to the real thing!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy: It only takes 5 minutes to make this homemade "maple syrup". And, it uses simple ingredients sold at most grocery stores.
- Inexpensive: Real maple syrup is notoriously expensive! This recipe makes a delicious maple flavored syrup at a fraction of the cost.
- Best tasting maple syrup substitute: We taste tested 17 maple syrup substitutes. And, this homemade version had the best flavor of our top 2 picks.
- Better ingredients than store-bought: Table syrup is a common maple syrup substitute, but it's filled with preservatives and coloring. This recipe makes a homemade version with more wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients (and substitutes)
You only need 3 ingredients to make this homemade maple syrup substitute.
- Brown sugar: You can use Light or Dark brown sugar, depending on the color and flavor you prefer. Light brown sugar will make for a lighter colored syrup. Dark brown sugar has more molasses in it. So, it'll make a darker syrup with a slightly more intense flavor.
- Maple extract: Maple extract is a flavoring concentrate. It's similar to vanilla or almond extract, but with a different flavor profile. The "maple" may come from natural or artificial flavors. Many grocery stores sell maple extract in the baking aisle. Otherwise you can find it online or at baking specialty stores.
Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.
Looking for more brown sugar recipes? Make Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, Gluten Free Fudge Brownies, or Single Serve Oatmeal Cookies.
How to make (step-by-step photos)
This homemade imitation maple syrup takes just 5 minutes to make. Here's how:
Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.
Tips
- Choose the brown sugar you like best: You can use Light or Dark brown sugar, depending if you want a milder or more intense syrup. If you prefer golden or amber maple syrup, start with light brown sugar. But if you know you like dark maple syrup, go with dark brown sugar. Either way, it's hard to go wrong!
- Add maple extract to taste: Maple extract has strong flavor. Start with a small amount and then add more to taste. Different brands can vary. It's easier to add more than to take it out!
- The syrup will thicken as it cools: This recipe uses a 2:1 ratio of sugar-to-water (also known as a "Rich" simple syrup recipe). Rich simple syrup is sweeter and thicker than regular simple syrup. It is a closer match to maple syrup's consistency. The syrup will seem runny at first, but it thickens as it cools. (Leftovers stored in the fridge will thicken even more).
- How to thin syrup: The syrup will thicken as it cools. Simply rewarm the syrup to make it runnier again. If after reheating, it's still too thick, then you can whisk in a bit of hot water.
- Storage tips: Refrigerate extras in a clean, resealable jar. This syrup is best enjoyed in 3 to 4 weeks...but it'll probably disappear well before then!
Servings suggestions
You can use this maple flavored syrup anywhere you'd use real maple syrup! Here are 7 great ways to use it:
- Drizzled over breakfast sweets: Like waffles, pancakes, or this epic vegan French Toast casserole.
- With oatmeal: Use a tiny splash to lightly sweeten a bowl of overnight oats or porridge.
- To balance out salad dressings: Surprisingly, a little sweetness can help round out the flavors in a vinaigrette, like in this Curry Apple Salad recipe.
- As a glaze for veggies: Maple pairs well with roasted veggies. Case in point: these Sriracha Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts. And, these Spiced Cauliflower Steaks.
- Stirred into cold drinks: Sugar doesn't dissolve well in cold drinks. That's why simple syrup is so popular! Use this maple flavored syrup the same way. It's great in Virgin Pina Coladas and Iced Coffee.
- Mixed into healthy snacks: Swap it for the maple syrup in these family-friendly Peanut Butter Coconut Balls.
- To sweeten desserts: Use this budget-friendly substitute in Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Tart, Vegan Cranberry Cheesecake Bars, or Apple Pie Ice Cream.
Curious about other maple syrup substitutes? Don't miss out on our definitive guide: 17 Substitutes for Maple Syrup (Ranked Best to Worst).
More homemade syrup recipes:
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Maple Syrup Alternative
This Homemade Maple Syrup Alternative is a delicious swap for maple syrup. It's budget-friendly, easy to make, and has better ingredients than store-bought table syrup. While there's no beating real maple syrup, this recipe comes very close! (Vegan, Gluten Free).
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar (see note 1)
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon maple extract (adjust to taste, see note 2)
Instructions
- Simmer: Add 1 cup brown sugar and ½ cup water to a small saucepan. Simmer on low heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture thickens slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in ½ teaspoon maple extract (adjust to taste). Let cool slightly before using (mixture will thicken as it cools, see note 3).
Notes
- Brown Sugar: Use Light or Dark brown sugar. Light brown sugar has less molasses, so the syrup will have a slightly lighter color and flavor. Dark brown sugar will yield a slightly darker syrup with more intense flavor.
- Maple Extract: The maple flavor is pretty bold, so start with a small amount and add more to taste. In the grocery store, Maple Extract (or Maple Flavor) is sold alongside bottles of vanilla extract, almond extract, etc. Otherwise, find it online or in specialty baking supply stores.
- Syrup Thickness: This recipe uses a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio for a thicker syrup. The syrup will thicken as it cools. So, we recommend serving it warm (not piping hot) or at room temperature. Once refrigerated, the syrup may thicken to a molasses-type consistency. Simple re-warm the syrup (in a hot water bath, microwave, or over the stove) until it's back to your desired consistency. Know that syrups made with 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio (vs. 2:1) are runnier than real maple syrup. (But if you want a runnier syrup, follow this Brown Sugar Simple Syrup recipe).
- Storage Tips: Refrigerate extra in a clean container. Use within 3 to 4 weeks. If the mixture crystallizes, it's not necessarily gone bad...just rewarm until it's runny again (see note 3).
- Yield: One batch makes about 7 fluid ounces (207 ml). Nutritional estimate assumes 1 tablespoon per serving (14 tablespoons per batch), but adjust as needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.02g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 21mg | Sugar: 15g | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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