Can I substitute corn syrup for honey in bread?
I have a white bread recipe I use frequently I'm pretty happy with. It calls for 3tbsp (64g) of honey. I have a bottle of karo light corn syrup "with real vanilla" that I would like to use up, instead.
From the label, honey and corn syrup have the same calories per tbsp. Searching the web, they seem to be 1:1 substitutes for one another. But bread is a bit special, right? The sweetness isn't just for flavor—it also has to feed the yeast so the dough rises.
Is a 1:1 substitution (by weight, if it matters) appropriate here, or should I add more corn syrup than I would have honey?
Best Answer
Yes, I would do a 1:1 substitution. I think your recipe will work fine and should taste good, but the flavor profile will be different (obviously honey has a very different taste from corn syrup).
Second, there will be different proportions of sugars between the two, so even with the same number of calories the sweetness will be different (honey is sweeter than most corn syrups). Fructose, for example, is much sweeter than glucose, which in turn is sweeter than maltose.
Honey has about the same sweetness as sucrose (table sugar), but acids, enzymes, heat, and other processes can convert sugars into other sugars. Sucrose, for example, can be broken down into glucose and fructose, making it sweeter.
You may also want to try the recipe with dark corn syrup which has added molasses and a deeper flavor. You can add some vanilla to your recipe if you want that as well.
Pictures about "Can I substitute corn syrup for honey in bread?"
Quick Answer about "Can I substitute corn syrup for honey in bread?"
Light corn syrup would be the best flavor match, but dark corn syrup will work, too. Other options to try include maple syrup or molasses (not blackstrap). These substitutes can replace honey measure for measure.Is corn syrup a good substitute for 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.What can I use instead of honey when making bread?
What is a good substitute for honey when baking bread? Maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar can be used when baking bread. They will provide sweetness and their own unique flavor notes to your recipe. Use a 1:1 ratio when subbing honey for any of these alternatives.Can you substitute syrup for honey?
Maple syrup is one of the best substitutes for honey because it has a very similar texture and consistency. If you usually drizzle honey over pancakes or enjoy mixing natural yogurt with honey, then maple syrup is the perfect honey replacement.Is honey and corn syrup the same?
The main difference between corn syrup and honey is that corn syrup is a sweet syrup made from the starch naturally occurring in corn, while honey is a sweet, viscous brown fluid made by bees. Corn syrup and honey are two sweeteners we commonly use in baking and desserts.3 Best Corn Syrup Substitutes
More answers regarding can I substitute corn syrup for honey in bread?
Answer 2
Retrospective answer from OP: Mechanically, a 1:1 substitution worked fine -- the dough rose, the loaf shape was perfect, and the bread had a good texture and mouth feel.
Taste-wise, the honey has a sweeter and subtly nicer flavor. If I were making bread to eat unadorned, I'd certainly prefer the honey. But for sandwiches and jams the nuance is lost, and the corn syrup is fine.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Markus Winkler, Polina Kovaleva, Stefan Lakic, Pixabay