Corn syrup is a popular sweetener used in many foods and recipes. It has a variety of uses in cooking and baking. In this article, we will explore the different ways corn syrup can be used.
Making Candy
One of the most common uses of corn syrup is in making candy. The viscosity and sweetness of corn syrup makes it an ideal ingredient for candies like taffy, caramels, and fruit snacks. It helps prevent crystallization so the candy remains smooth and creamy. Corn syrup is commonly used to make:
- Taffy
- Caramels
- Fudge
- Marshmallows
- Jelly candies like gummy bears
For hard candies like lollipops, corn syrup helps retain moisture to keep the candy from becoming too brittle. The sweetness and slow crystallization of corn syrup gives candies a smooth, glass-like texture.
Baking
Corn syrup is an excellent addition to many baked goods. It helps retain moisture, adds sweetness, and improves texture. Some common baking uses for corn syrup include:
- Cookies – Adds chewiness and helps prevent excessive spreading.
- Cakes – Keeps cakes moist and tender.
- Frostings and glazes – Corn syrup helps frostings stay smooth and glazes glossy.
- Pie fillings – Thickens fillings nicely.
- Fruit spreads – Used in jams, jellies, and preserves to gel properly.
When baking, corn syrup can often be substituted for other liquid sweeteners like sugar, honey, or maple syrup. However, the moisture and sweetness levels may differ slightly. Expect baked goods to be a bit softer and chewier when using corn syrup.
Sauces and Glazes
The thick, glossy texture of corn syrup makes it a key ingredient in many sauces and glazes. It adds body and a beautiful sheen. Some sauces that frequently contain corn syrup include:
- BBQ sauce – Corn syrup provides thickness, sweetness, and sheen.
- Teriyaki sauce – Helps balance sweet and salty flavors.
- Sweet chili sauce – Adds mild sweetness and thick texture.
- Honey mustard sauce – Corn syrup stands in for some of the honey.
Corn syrup is also excellent for making sweet glazes for meats like ham or pastries. It has just the right consistency to coat foods evenly and hold together well.
Sweetening Beverages
The liquid state and solubility of corn syrup make it a handy sweetener for beverages. A small amount can sweeten up drinks like:
- Tea and coffee – A teaspoon stirred in adds sweetness without changing texture.
- Hot chocolate – Corn syrup provides thickness and rounds out sweetness.
- Smoothies – Blends smoothly into the drink.
- Cocktails – Used in place of simple syrup to sweeten cocktails.
For cold beverages, corn syrup dissolves more slowly than plain sugar. But in hot drinks, it blends in perfectly. The mild flavor doesn’t overpower other ingredients.
Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
The ability of corn syrup to inhibit crystallization makes it ideal for frozen desserts. It keeps ice cream smooth and creamy. You can use it to make:
- Ice cream – Corn syrup gives a scoopable texture.
- Sorbet – Helps keep sorbet smoothly frozen.
- Popsicles – Adds body and sweetness to fruit and cream pops.
- Frozen yogurt – Provides a creamy mouthfeel.
Corn syrup also works well in homemade frozen novelty treats like ice cream sandwiches. It keeps the texture from becoming icy or crumbly when frozen.
Cereals and Granola
Drizzling corn syrup over cereals and granola is an easy way to add sweetness. It coats evenly and sticks to the pieces. Corn syrup works well with breakfast cereals like:
- Granola
- Muesli
- Oatmeal
- Cold cereals like corn flakes
The viscosity helps the corn syrup adhere nicely to dry cereals. It adds moisture and satisfies a sweet tooth. The mild flavor doesn’t overwhelm other toppings like fresh fruit.
Making Jams and Jellies
Corn syrup is commonly added to jams, jellies, and fruit spreads to help them gel and thicken properly. Pectin needs sugar to activate and thicken. Since corn syrup is over half as sweet as sugar, it can provide the sweetness pectin needs. The natural acidity and moisture of fruit can also inhibit pectin gelling. Corn syrup helps counteract this.
When making jellies and jams, replace 25-50% of the sugar in a recipe with corn syrup. This provides enough sweetness for the pectin to activate properly. The result will be thick fruit spreads with a smooth, even consistency.
Preventing Crystallization
Corn syrup has an ability to inhibit sucrose crystals from forming. This makes it useful for preventing crystallization in foods like:
- Fudge – Keeps fudge from forming sugar crystals as it sets.
- Fondants – Allows fondant to remain smoothly crystalline.
- Candied fruits – Reduces crystallization of the sugar coating.
- Maple syrup – Adding a bit of corn syrup prevents maple sugar crystals.
Corn syrup interferes with sucrose molecules connecting. This gives many candy and confectionery products a smooth, uniform texture. Just a teaspoon or two is enough to prevent undesirable crystallization.
Retaining Moisture
The humectant properties of corn syrup allow it to help retain moisture in foods. Using corn syrup will result in baked goods that stay fresher longer. Some examples include:
- Cakes – Corn syrup keeps layers moist and cake crumb tender.
- Cookies – Helps keep chewy cookies from becoming dry and crispy.
- Breads – Adds moisture to sweet breads and muffins.
- Marshmallows – Keeps homemade marshmallows soft and pillowy.
Without the moisture retention of corn syrup, many baked goods would become dry, crunchy, and crumbly more quickly. The humectant effects keep products soft and moist for longer.
Improving Texture
In addition to moisture retention, corn syrup improves the overall texture of many recipes. It adds structural stability while still allowing a smooth, short texture. Some examples of foods with improved texture thanks to corn syrup include:
- Fudge – Provides smooth, creamy fudge without crystallization.
- Caramels – Allows a short, smooth texture not possible with sugar alone.
- Marshmallows – Replaces honey for smooth, evenly textured marshmallows.
- Ice creams – Results in a scoopable but not icy texture.
- Glazes – Gives a beautifully glossy, smooth glaze.
The water content and humectant effects allow corn syrup to improve mouthfeel. It reduces crystallization and adds glossy appearance to foods.
Enhancing Flavor
While corn syrup has a mild flavor on its own, it does help enhance other flavors in recipes:
- Sweetness – Corn syrup amplifies sweets like sugar, honey, and fruit flavors.
- Saltiness – Can balance out salty ingredients like soy sauce and bring flavors together.
- Acidity – Softens harsh acids and allows fruit flavors to shine.
- Spices – Allows bold spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to come through.
The subtle flavor of corn syrup sweetness enhances the bolder tastes. It rounds out and unifies both sweet and savory recipes beautifully.
Substitute for Honey or Invert Sugar
Corn syrup can serve as an accessible substitute for costlier ingredients like honey and invert sugar in recipes. It provides similar properties at a lower price point. Some recipe substitutions include:
- Honey in baked goods – Replace up to half the honey with corn syrup.
- Invert sugar in candy making – Use an equal amount of corn syrup.
- Honey in meat glazes – Substitute corn syrup for part of the honey.
- Invert sugar in ice cream – Corn syrup works well and costs less.
While the flavors won’t be exactly the same, corn syrup can replicate many structural and textural effects of honey and invert sugar. It offers cost savings in the process.
Thickening Agent
The viscosity of corn syrup makes it useful as a thickening agent for certain recipes. It adds body and texture to sauces, glazes, pie fillings, and more. Some examples include:
- Candy corn syrup helps achieve the ideal chewy or smooth texture.
- BBQ and sauce corn syrup prevents runniness in the final product.
- Pie fillings become nicely thickened and stabilized.
- Adds thickness and gloss to sweet glazes.
The thickness of corn syrup allows it to help bind ingredients together. Just a small amount enhances the body of many recipes beautifully.
Storing and Shelf Life
An opened bottle of corn syrup will stay fresh for up to a year when stored properly in an airtight container in the pantry. An unopened container can last 1-2 years past the “best by” date. If mold begins growing on the syrup, it is time to discard it. But otherwise, corn syrup has an impressively long shelf life that makes it handy to keep around. It can sweeten up recipes for months after opening.
Key Takeaways
Corn syrup is incredibly versatile in cooking and baking. Key uses include:
- Candy making
- Baking
- Sauces and glazes
- Sweetening beverages
- Ice cream and frozen desserts
- Preventing crystallization
- Retaining moisture
- Improving texture
- Enhancing flavors
- Thickening agent
With its sweetness, moisture retention, thick texture, and ability to prevent crystallization, corn syrup is an invaluable ingredient. Now that you know the many uses for corn syrup, you can take advantage of it in your own cooking and baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup?
Regular corn syrup contains 100% glucose molecules, while high fructose corn syrup has had some glucose converted to fructose enzymatically. This results in high fructose corn syrup being higher in fructose content (typically around 45% fructose) and sweeter tasting. Both contain no fructose naturally.
Is corn syrup healthy?
Corn syrup itself is not particularly unhealthy, but products made with corn syrup often lack nutritional value. Consuming large amounts of corn syrup can lead to higher calorie intake. It’s best used in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
What can I substitute for corn syrup in recipes?
In baking, you can often replace corn syrup with equal parts granulated sugar and liquid like water, juice, or maple syrup. For candy making, brown rice syrup or golden syrup are best for preventing crystallization. Honey and agave nectar can also work but alter flavors more.
Is corn syrup gluten-free?
Yes, corn syrup is naturally gluten-free. Plain corn syrup contains no wheat, barley, rye, or any gluten-containing ingredients. Always check labels for additives, but pure corn syrup will be gluten-free.
Is corn syrup vegan?
Corn syrup is generally vegan, though some brands may use additives that are not vegan-friendly. Pure corn syrup with no additional ingredients will be suitable for a vegan diet.
Conclusion
Corn syrup is a versatile sweetener and ingredient used in many desserts, baked goods, candies, jams and jellies, and more. Its ability to retain moisture, prevent crystallization, provide thickness, and enhance flavors makes corn syrup a valued addition to both sweet and savory recipes. With proper storage, corn syrup has a long shelf life, allowing home cooks to keep it on hand for use in a wide range of cooking and baking applications.