Replace 1 cup honey with 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup of the liquid already in the recipe (water, milk, or juice).
Ratios from university extension services and King Arthur Baking. Checked .
Honey substitutes, best first
- For 1 cup honey1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup liquidBest for: baking, sauces
Utah State, NMSU, Mississippi State, Colorado State.
- For 1 cup honey1 cup corn syrupBest for: glazes, sauces
Colorado State lists them as equivalent; less flavor.
Why the swaps work
Honey is sweeter than sugar by volume and contains water and acid, so sugar swaps add extra sugar plus liquid.
Questions people ask
Can I use sugar instead of honey in baking?
Yes: 1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid per cup of honey.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
No ratio was found in the extension charts checked.
Sources
- Ingredient Substitution, FN 255 (Utah State University Extension)
- In a Pinch: Ingredient Substitution, Guide E-131 (New Mexico State University Extension)
- Ingredient Substitutions and Equivalents, P1690 (Mississippi State University Extension)
- Ingredient Substitutions, Fact Sheet 9.329 (Colorado State University Extension)