Molasses substitute
1 cup molasses = 3/4 cup packed brown sugar + 1/4 cup water
Molasses gives gingerbread and baked beans their dark, bitter-sweet taste.
Substitutes for 1 cup molasses
Option 1
3/4 cup packed brown sugar + 1/4 cup water
Dissolve the sugar in the water. Gives less depth than real molasses.
Option 2
1 cup dark corn syrup
A 1:1 swap. Sweeter and milder.
Option 3
1 cup maple syrup
A 1:1 swap. Lighter and milder than molasses.
Amounts are for a US recipe. Need to convert them? See cups to grams.
Questions
What can I use instead of molasses?
For 1 cup molasses, you can use 3/4 cup packed brown sugar + 1/4 cup water; or 1 cup dark corn syrup; or 1 cup maple syrup.
What is the best substitute for molasses?
For most recipes, use 3/4 cup packed brown sugar + 1/4 cup water. Dissolve the sugar in the water. Gives less depth than real molasses.