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Molasses has been used in Asian cuisine for a long time. It’s one of the most popular sweeteners around, and there are many different types of molasses available, ranging from light to dark.
Bead molasses is one of the lighter varieties and adds an unmistakable hue and aroma to fish while ramping up the complexity of flavor in anything it’s used.
If you’ve just run out, we’ve got the ten best bead molasses substitutes coming up. So, are you ready to get that brown sauce?
Bead Molasses Substitute
You can swap out most of these bead molasses substitutes at equal ratios. Adjust the quantity you use based on the sweetness you’re looking for, and most recipes will come out perfect. Here are the ten best alternatives available.
1. Honey
Golden honey is the ideal bead molasses substitute, carrying a distinctive flavor profile and aroma with matching sweetness. There are multiple varieties of honey available.
We recommend buckwheat honey because it matches molasses in both its deep, dark color and intense flavor. You’ll have to use less honey than molasses to keep the level of sweetness at bay, but it makes for the most versatile alternative around.
2. Sorghum
Sorghum syrup is often referred to as sorghum molasses, indicating just how similar these two sticky, sweet products are. Sorghum syrup is often referred to as sorghum molasses, indicating just how similar these two sticky products are.
However, the sorghum plant’s green juice is processed into syrup with a slightly thinner consistency than molasses. Opt for sorghum syrup/molasses when substituting in meals that call for the syrup by itself.
It’s a great baking ingredient that is equally as versatile in BBQ sauces and various salad dressings.
3. Maple Syrup
Yes. Maple syrup has far more uses than being a beloved decadent topping for morning waffles. The combination of caramel and malt flavor present in maple syrup makes it a great substitute for bead molasses suited to many recipes.
We recommend using the darkest variety of maple syrup available as it’s the closest match in texture and taste to molasses. Keep in mind that maple is much thinner than bead molasses, so adjust your proportions accordingly.
4. Corn Syrup
We’re pretty sure that many have already tried adding corn syrup to caramel sauce to give it a silky smooth texture, but this liquid sweetener has far more purposes to serve.
A relatively neutral level of sweetness and simple flavor makes corn syrup a versatile bead molasses substitute. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to mix half in brown sugar equal to half the proportion of syrup used.
Opt for the darkest grade of corn syrup you can find, and if you can’t find any available, look for glucose syrup instead. It’s precisely the same thing.
5. Golden Syrup
Golden syrup is one of England’s favorite ingredients and an outstanding alternative to bead molasses. It’s just as thick and viscous but much sweeter.
Golden syrup also lacks the bittersweet, toasty caramel-like flavor that comes through strong when baking with molasses. You’ll need to add less to reach the same intensity of sweetness.
Despite having the perfect consistency for glazes, don’t expect the same color to arise. Baked goods come out lighter.
6. Dark Treacle
Black treacle contains sugarcane molasses. In the UK, the black treacle is considered the go-to over the USA’s molasses. It’s an outstanding bead molasses substitute that’s almost identical in viscosity and color but lighter and milder in flavor.
The defining difference is the bittersweet aftertaste that prevails, so keep this in mind when deciding on an alternative.
Most opt for black treacle as a bead molasses substitute when baking or adding sweetness to cooked meals like stews and sauce, grazes, and gravies.
7. Cane Syrup
Many different kinds of cane syrups are available, ranging from pure cane sugar syrups to mixtures of fructose and fructose. All make for wonderful alternatives to bead molasses.
You can even make cane syrup at home by simmering down sugar cane juice. You’ll be surprised by just how similar the flavor is to molasses despite having a far lighter coloring.
Most cane syrups with dark golden brown color will carry a medium flavor intensity reminiscent of caramel, making them perfect in a wide variety of recipes from sweet to savory.
8. Agave Nectar
Agave nectar or agave syrup is a wonderful replacement for sugar and molasses, but it’s not as sweet. Agave is also very high in fructose which increases the adverse health effects.
Consume in moderation if you do opt for the somewhat wild sweet taste of agave nectar. If your recipe calls for bead molasses, then substitute agave syrup at a 2/3rds ratio.
Depending on your preferences and recipe, agave nectar may not be sweet enough, and the natural flavor of agave could also be slightly overpowering.
9. Brown Sugar
Molasses contains brown sugar, which makes it one of the best substitutes out there—swapping out dark brown sugar in the place of bead molasses grants a strikingly similar level of sweetness, closely matched color, and the ideal texture.
However, you’ll need to make a syrup first because the grainy texture of brown sugar is unsuitable for substituting directly. In addition, the moisture content will be wrong, and a distinct rough feel will be present in whatever you’re making.
10. Go DIY
If you don’t have any alternatives readily available, this DIY molasses recipe will be a life-saver. Here’s what you need to mix to create a substitute to one cup of bead molasses:
- Half a cup of honey
- Half a cup of corn syrup
- Half a cup of brown sugar
- Half a cup of maple syrup
Things To Keep In Mind
Every recipe component is designed to serve a specific purpose, granting an exact flavor and texture. Likewise, Bead molasses has its own precise perks, so if you do decide to use a bead molasses substitute, we suggest that you keep the following things in mind:
- Bead molasses has a distinctive flavor that’s best described as the perfect combination of caramel and coffee with just a pinch of bitterness. But, of course, you won’t get the same balance of bittersweet with an alternative.
- Baked goods won’t be as dark as those baked with bead molasses.
- As a hygroscopic compound, an ingredient that attracts water, substitutions won’t result in the same density and moisture content in baked goods.
Each bead molasses alternative listed will need unique adjustments based on the cooking style and recipe type. However, the more you try, the better you are at preparing to cook anything, even if you run out of everyone’s favorite sweet sticky syrup.