Day-dreaming about the cupcakes and brownies is the ultimate hobby for everyone who has a sweet tooth. With this being said, invert sugar is the most important ingredient for these desserts since it has a higher sweetness level while the texture is thick and viscous. Invest sugar is regularly used by pastry chefs and bakers since it helps eliminate crystallization. But hey, what if you don’t have the invert sugar? Don’t worry because we have got the invert sugar substitutes for you!
Invert Sugar – What Is It?
Invert sugar is the professional-grade sugar that’s used in pastries and making ice cream. It is also used in sorbet for giving it the creamy texture. In addition, it is used in ganache and candy for the smooth texture. If used in cookies, it leaves behind the moisturized crumbs and chewy texture, along with the much-longer shelf life.
On the other hand, one needs to know that invert sugar is not natural as it’s made by converting sucrose into glucose and fructose through chemical conversion. As compared to natural sugar, invert sugar is 20% sweeter and leads to easier browning. To be honest, invert sugar cannot be easily found at grocery stores, but we have the substitutes that are readily available at the supermarkets!
Best Substitute For Invert Sugar
- Liquid Honey
If it’s one thing professionals love about invert sugar, it’s the consistency and texture. With this being said, liquid honey has a somehow similar consistency and can be an optimum substitute for everyone who cannot find invert sugar. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that invert sugar is the man-made honey version, but still, honey is unique.
However, there is a significant difference in flavour. For instance, invert sugar is usually flavourless (not tasteless) but honey has the herbal, fruity, and spicy flavours which also differ with the type of honey. In case you are making a dessert with a sharp taste, liquid honey will be appropriate but if the dessert has a mild and subtle flavour, say no to liquid honey and move on to the next one!
2. Glucose Syrup
We have already mentioned how invert sugar is used to eliminate crystallization of sugar from the desserts. So, glucose syrup is the optimum choice because it helps reduce crystallization of sugar when you are making the confectionaries. In addition, glucose syrup makes a great substitute while making ganache, fudge, ice cream, and taffy.
Even more, it has somehow similar sweetness which makes it even more suitable. However, keep in mind that glucose syrup is not the optimal substitute for every recipe because it doesn’t settle in every recipe. With this being said, you will need to experiment with the recipes to see where glucose syrup settles right.
3. Molasses
When it comes down to molasses, it’s the outcome of refined sugarcane and sugar beets. In case you are making the cookie batter, dark bread, or pie filling, molasses will settle perfectly. As a result, these recipes will have optimal texture. Even more, it adds the colour and aroma (pleasant, of course). So, we suggest that you experiment with your desserts with molasses!
4. Brown Sugar
As we are talking about molasses, how can we forget about brown sugar since it contains the molasses? Brown sugar has the sucrose base and has a pinch of invert sugar to it. As a result, brown sugar will be an optimal choice for people who need chewy and soft texture from the dessert. But hey, don’t use brown sugar in ice cream because the colour won’t be suitable enough. So, if you want invert sugar substitute for ice cream, choose glucose syrup or honey.
5. Corn Syrup
When the corn cobs are processed, it can be used to make the corn syrup which is again, an incredible substitute for corn syrup. The corn syrup is somehow similar to invert sugar and is suitable for making ice cream and sorbet. In addition, it can be added to sweet, jellies, and candies. While baking, corn syrup helps enhance the sweetness and moisture even if the intensity is much lower than invert sugar.
For instance, if you are making madeleine and brioche, they need higher moisture and much tender crumbs. So, adding corn syrup in such recipes will be a fine choice.