Substituting Syrup for Sugar

Recall that syrups contain one or more sugars and water. Most syrups contain about 80 percent sugar and 20 percent water. This means that 1 pound (or 1 kilogram) of syrup typically contains 0.8 pound (or 0.8 kilogram) sugar and 0.2 pound (or 0.2 kilogram) water. Because a 1:1 substitution of granulated sugar with syrup changes the amount of sugar solids in a product by about 20 percent, it is sometimes desirable to calculate and adjust the amount of syrup and liquid when making a substitution. Starting guidelines for changing between granulated sugar and many syrups (those that are 80 percent sugar and 20 percent water) are as follows. Note: The following calculations do not adjust for differences in sweetness or other properties of sweeteners. Recall, for example, that the Honey Board recommends substituting honey 1:1 for sugar while reducing the amount of water.