12 Best Cane Sugar Substitutes

Cane sugar has become a staple ingredient in our everyday lives.

From baked goods to beverages, it is found in almost every food or drink imaginable.

Unfortunately, cane sugar is also highly processed and contains high amounts of calories.

If you want to cut back on added sugars, then you should consider using alternatives such as honey, agave syrup, maple syrup, coconut nectar, and molasses.


Sugar is a natural sweetener derived from plants.

The most common form of sugar is sucrose, which is composed of glucose and fructose molecules.

Sucrose is often extracted from sugarcane or corn, and is refined into white granules.

Although sugar is considered a vital nutrient, excessive consumption can cause health problems.

In addition to being linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and tooth decay, too much sugar can negatively impact brain development

Best Cane Sugar Substitute

Cane sugar substitutes are used to replace cane sugar in recipes. These products are usually healthier alternatives to regular white sugar. They are made from natural ingredients such as honey, molasses, maple syrup, agave nectar, coconut sugar, and other sweeteners. In addition to being healthy, these sugar substitutes are also cheaper than regular sugar.
There are many different types of sugar substitutes available today. Each product works differently depending on what type of recipe you are making. For instance, if you are baking cookies, you would probably use granulated sugar. However, if you are making a cake, you would use powdered sugar instead.

1. Honey

Honey is the oldest known sweetener. It is derived from the nectar of flowers and trees. It contains fructose and glucose. Honey comes in two forms – raw and cooked. Raw honey is unprocessed and uncooked. This form of honey is very expensive because it takes longer to process. On the other hand, cooked honey is processed into a liquid form. The processing removes the moisture content and gives it a consistency similar to table sugar.
2. Agave Nectar
Agave nectar is extracted from the sap of the agave cactus plant. It is sweeter than honey and has a lower glycemic index. It is widely used in Mexican cuisine.

2. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is produced from maple trees. It is available in different grades depending upon the quality of the tree. Grade A is the highest grade and Grade B is the lowest.
3. Molasses
Molasses is obtained from the concentrated juice of sugar cane. It is dark brown in color and has a strong flavor. It is used in baking and making candies.

3. Applesauce

Applesauce is a sweet sauce made from apples. It is usually eaten with breads and meats.
4. Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener extracted from honey bees. It is used in many desserts and baked goods.

4. Fruits

Fruits are the source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients.
5. Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by mammals such as cows, goats, sheep, buffalo, camels, yaks, horses, giraffes, and elephants.

5. Molasses

Molasses is a thick dark syrup used as a sweetener in baking and cooking. It is obtained from sugar cane juice after crushing and pressing.
6. Oats
Oats are cereal grains native to Eurasia and North America. They are gluten free and rich in dietary fiber.

6. Coconut Palm Sugar

Coconut palm sugar is produced from coconut sap collected during the rainy season. It is known for its unique flavor and aroma.
7. Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener derived from flowers, fruits, nectar, pollen, and other plant sources.

7. Light & Dark Muscovado Sugar

Muscovado sugar is a dark brown form of refined sugar. It is obtained from the sucrose extracted from sugar cane juice. It contains no additives and is used in baking, confectionery, and desserts.
8. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is a granulated white sugar with molasses added. It is darker than light brown sugar.

8. Turbinado, Demerara & Raw Sugars

Turbinado, demerara and raw sugars are unrefined sugars. These types of sugars are not processed but are simply heated until they caramelize. This process gives these sugars a unique flavor and texture.
9. Honey
Honey is a sweet liquid produced by bees from nectar. It is composed mostly of fructose and glucose. Honey is available in different colors such as amber, golden, dark, clover, acacia, orange blossom, and blackberry.

9. Rock Sugar

Rock sugar is a type of rock candy that comes in many flavors. It is usually sold in small bags and is used as a topping for ice cream and other desserts.
10. Molasses
Molasses is a thick syrup derived from the juice of sugar cane. It is darker in color than honey because of the presence of tannins. Molasses contains iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, sodium, and sulfur.

10. Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts sugar and hot water. This mixture is sometimes called “white sugar water” or “sugar water”.
11. Honey
Honey is produced by bees who collect nectar from flowers and store it in special cells located near the hive entrance. Honey is composed primarily of sugars glucose, fructose, sucrose and water. Honey is available in different colors depending on the source of the nectar. For instance, acacia honey is yellow, orange, or red; buckwheat honey is light amber; clover honey is clear; eucalyptus honey is dark amber; lavender honey is pale purple; orange blossom honey is golden yellow; pine honey is dark brown; sage honey is greenish gray; thyme honey is bright gold; and violet honey is dark reddish purple.

11. Light & Dark Corn Syrup

Light corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch. It is used in many baked goods such as breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, pies, and pastries. It is also used as a thickening agent in sauces, gravies, soups, and stews. It is usually sold in liquid form but it can also be found in powdered form. Dark corn syrup is similar to light corn syrup except that it contains slightly higher levels of molasses. Molasses is a rich, dark, syrupy substance obtained from the boiling down of sugar cane juice. It is commonly added to soft drinks, desserts, and other products where sweetness is desired.
12. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a sweet, sticky syrup made from maple sap. It is an important ingredient in pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and candy. Maple syrup is available in two forms – Grade A and Grade B. Grade A syrup is pure maple syrup and Grade B syrup is a blend of Grade A syrup with various additives.

12. Molasses (Aka Treacle) & Blackstrap

Molasses is a thick, dark, syruppy substance obtained from the boiling-down of sugar cane juice. Molasses is commonly added to soft drink, desserts, and other food products where sweetness is desired
13. Honey
Honey is a sweet, golden colored natural product produced by honey bees from nectar secreted by flowers. Honey is a popular sweetener because it is low in calories and does not raise blood glucose levels. It is also a good source of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

What’s the best tasting sugar substitute for baking?

Cane sugar is a refined form of sugar that is extracted from sugarcane. It is used in baking, candy making, and other sweet treats. Raw cane sugar is unrefined and contains minerals and nutrients that give it a distinct flavor. This type of sugar is not processed using chemicals and therefore retains many of the natural vitamins and minerals found in the original sugarcane.

What is a good substitute for cane sugar?

Sugar substitutes are used to replace sugar in recipes. Sugar substitutes are usually sweeteners that are not derived from natural sources such as cane sugar, corn syrup, molasses, honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, sorghum, barley malt, and beet juice. These sweeteners are chemically synthesized and are made from different types of carbohydrates, such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, dextrins, polydextrose, maltodextrin, and cyclamate.

Which sugar substitute tastes the most like sugar?

Cane sugar is a natural sweetener derived from sugarcane. It is used in many recipes because it tastes great and is easy to measure. However, it does not dissolve easily in liquids and tends to crystallize if left standing for long periods of time. This problem is solved by adding corn syrup or molasses to the recipe. These ingredients help to prevent crystallization and give the final product a smoother texture.

What is similar to raw cane sugar?

Sugar substitutes are used in place of sugar because they’re healthier for you and taste better. Sugar substitutes are usually granulated white powders that are mixed into recipes or baked goods. Common sugar substitutes include Splenda sucralose, Equal aspartame, Sweet ‘n Low acesulfame potassium and Stevia. Each type of sugar substitute has different properties. For instance, Splenda is sweeter than other sugar substitutes, but it doesn’t dissolve easily in liquids. Stevia dissolves well in liquid, but it tastes bitter. Equal is a combination of two sweeteners — aspartame and acesulfame potassium. It’s sweeter than sucralose, but not as sweet as honey.