Indulge in the rich flavors of brown sugar in a liquid form. This simple homemade brown sugar syrup recipe elevates your favorite dishes and drinks with ease.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
In recent times, there's been an uptick in making kitchen essentials from scratch. Our brown sugar syrup is a testament to this trend. Its deep molasses notes, inherent in brown sugar, work wonders in your morning coffee, turning it into a café-level treat, or over a stack of fluffy pancakes. And for those cocktail nights? This syrup promises to be your secret ingredient.
Ingredients
- Water
- Brown Sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will work. Using dark brown sugar will create a richer flavor due to the increased addition of molasses.
- Vanilla extract - Delicious addition, but make sure to add it after the sugar syrup is made so you don't burn the vanilla.
- Flavor - Try adding a vanilla bean pod, or even a cinnamon stick for added flavor.
Tools needed for this recipe
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Glass jar for storage
How To Make Brown Sugar Syrup
In a small pot over medium heat, whisk together water and brown sugar and allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil. Stir continuously to prevent the sugar from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Continue whisking occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves into the water and the syrup has thickened, about 10 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and carefully stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the syrup to cool down to room temperature.
Once cooled, transfer the syrup to a clean glass bottle or a container with a tight-sealing lid.
How to store sugar syrup
Before storing the syrup, it's essential to let it cool to room temperature. Hot sugar syrup can cause really bad burns if not cooled before handling.
Always store your brown sugar syrup in the refrigerator. Due to its high sugar content, it will act as a preservative, but refrigeration will prevent mold and bacterial growth. Homemade brown sugar syrup should last for about a month in the refrigerator.
If you want to store it more extended, you can freeze the syrup. Place it in a freezer-safe container like Souper Cubes. It may become very viscous but shouldn't freeze solid due to the sugar content. Thaw in the refrigerator and shake or stir well before using.
Uses for Brown Sugar Syrup
Brown sugar syrup, with its rich caramel-like flavor and sweetness, can be a game-changer. Its uses span beyond sweet dishes, breakfasts, and warm drinks.
- Coffee: Elevate your regular coffee or tea by adding a splash of brown sugar syrup. It can also be the secret ingredient in your homemade lattes or cappuccinos.
- Pancakes and Waffles: Instead of regular maple syrup, drizzle brown sugar syrup over your stack of pancakes or crispy waffles for a twist on the classic breakfast.
- Cocktails: Cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Whiskey Sour. Replacing regular sugar or simple syrup with brown sugar syrup can give these drinks a richer taste.
- Sauces and Marinades: Add a spoonful to BBQ sauces or marinades for meats, especially pork or chicken. The syrup's sweetness balances the savory and spicy elements, creating a well-rounded flavor.
- Desserts: Drizzle over ice cream, custards, or even puddings.
- Oatmeal and Porridge: A bit of brown sugar syrup can turn your regular oatmeal or porridge into a breakfast treat.
- Fruit Salads: Toss your favorite fruits with a little brown sugar syrup to enhance their natural sweetness. This works exceptionally well with tangy fruits like berries or citrus.
- Yogurt and Parfaits: Stir it into plain yogurt or layer it in parfaits for an added depth of flavor.
- Grilled Fruits: Grilling fruits like peaches, plums, or pineapples? Brush them with a mix of brown sugar syrup and melted butter for a caramelized treat.
FAQ's
Absolutely! Dark brown sugar, with its richer molasses content, will give you a deeper more robust flavored syrup.
Notes
- Use about 1-2 Tablespoons of syrup per 1 cup of liquid.
- If you're looking to make a cookie dough-flavored coffee syrup, whisk in 2 teaspoons of unsweetened coconut powder along with the sugar and water.
- Use this syrup in your favorite beverages, desserts, and pancakes, or use it to sweeten up your coffee or cocktails.
- Store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Looking for more recipes? Try these out:
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Brown sugar syrup recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small pot over medium heat, whisk together water and brown sugar and allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil. Stir continuously to prevent the sugar from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Continue whisking occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves into the water and the syrup has thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and carefully stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the syrup to cool down to room temperature.
- Once cooled, transfer the syrup to a clean glass bottle or a container with a tight-sealing lid.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use about 1-2 Tablespoons of syrup per 1 cup of liquid.
- If you're looking to make a cookie dough flavored coffee syrup, whisk in 2
teaspoons of unsweetened coconut powder along with the sugar and water. - Use this syrup in your favorite beverages, desserts, pancakes, or use it to
sweeten up your coffee or cocktails. - Store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to a month.
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