If you are baking a recipe that calls for honey but you’re all out (or even looking for a vegan friendly option) there are a few great substitutes you can use no matter what you are baking.
Honey adds sweetness and a delicious flavor to all sorts of baked goods. It can be found in cookies, cakes, tarts, breads and so much more.
So when substituting for honey when baking, you need to use an alternative that provides a similar texture and flavor.
So what are the best substitutes for honey in baked goods?
The top honey substitutes when baking are maple syrup, agave nectar, or sugar.
But how do you use each of these substitutes?
Read on for the complete guide to using a honey substitute when baking.
Alternatives for Baking with Honey
Honey is an amazing natural sweetener and it is used to make all sorts of tasty desserts. It provides a wonderful flavor that compliments baked goods of all kinds.
But when you need a substitute you want to make sure to use one of the options below. That way your recipe will taste great!
Related Recipe: Honey Cocoa Puff Cookies
Maple Syrup
The best all around substitute for honey when baking is pure maple syrup. It provides a similar texture and level of sweetness as honey. It also provides a wonderful flavor that compliments any baked good that calls for honey.
Maple can be used in cakes, cookies, bread and any other baked dish. It can even be used in muffins, tarts or brownies. Maple syrup is also vegan friendly so it is a great option for baking vegetarian or vegan desserts.
Related: Substitutes for Maple Syrup
Equivalent
1 tablespoon of maple syrup equals 1 tablespoon of honey
Agave Nectar
Produced from the agave plant, this sweet and thick syrup is another excellent substitute for honey. It can be used in any baked recipe that calls for honey and provides a sweet delicious flavor.
Agave nectar is also vegan friendly. Use agave nectar in cakes, cookies, or even drizzle it on homemade sweet bread.
Related: Substitutes for Agave Nectar
Equivalent
1 tablespoon of agave nectar equals 1 tablespoon of honey
Sugar
If you don’t have maple syrup or agave nectar on hand, you can use almost any sugar instead of honey. And sugar works wonderfully in baked goods! It is probably the most popular ingredient for sweetening up a dessert.
You can use granulated sugar, brown sugar, or even maple sugar in place of honey and you will get great results.
Related: Maple Sugar Substitutes
Equivalent
1 cup of sugar equals 1 cup of honey
Honey Replacement in Baking FAQ
Can I substitute brown sugar for honey?
Yes, brown sugar can be used instead of honey in all baked recipes. Brown sugar is an excellent honey alternative and will provide the perfect amount of sweetness to your dessert. Use a 1:1 ratio of brown sugar to honey.
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.
What is a good replacement for honey in cookies?
Agave nectar or maple syrup are the best honey substitutes when baking cookies. They will provide both sweetness and a complimentary flavor to your cookies. You can use sugar, but that will only provide sweetness and less flavor.
What is a good alternative for honey in cake?
When replacing honey in a baked cake you can use any of the three substitutes above. Agave nectar, sugar, and maple syrup all work well when baking a cake.
What is a good keto friendly substitute for honey in baked goods?
When baking, the best substitutes for honey are stevia, Allulose, Erythritol, and monk fruit. Each of these are low in carbs making them keto friendly.