What Is Corn Syrup?

Once I began to work an evening shift at a bakery after cooking faculty, I used to be humbled by the odd hours. And I used to be equally humbled by corn syrup. 

What I had beforehand written off as overly candy goo was the key behind a delectably clean pecan pie filling, the proper chew of an old-school sugar cookie, and even the magic of marshmallow fluff. The underside line: Corn syrup is a noble baking staple that even the professionals rely on. Right here’s all the pieces to find out about this divisive sweetener. 

What’s corn syrup, precisely? 

Corn syrup is a candy, viscous syrup constructed from refined cornstarch and used as a liquid sweetener or thickener in sweet, pies, jams and jellies, and even beer. 

On the grocery retailer, you’ll discover two sorts of corn syrup: mild and darkish. Gentle corn syrup is a transparent, clarified syrup that always comprises a small quantity of vanilla flavoring. Darkish corn syrup is a mixture of corn syrup, molasses, and caramel coloring, which ends up in a darker coloration and a sweeter taste than mild corn syrup. 

You may substitute one for the opposite in most recipes, however keep in mind that darkish corn syrup will have an effect on the colour of your recipe and supply a extra intense and sweeter taste. Gentle corn syrup could add a refined trace of vanilla.

The right way to use corn syrup

Corn syrup is a baker’s secret weapon. It prevents sugar from crystallizing (or lumps from forming). It’s a typical ingredient in caramel sauce and recipes that use a scorching sugar syrup, like marshmallows or meringue. 

Whether or not you’re a novice or a vet at making caramel, use corn syrup to supply its signature clean feel and appear (and for a bit additional insurance coverage in opposition to graininess). The identical goes for frozen custard. A small quantity of corn syrup within the base provides density, richness, and might stop the sugar from crystalizing. 

Corn syrup can also be typically used as a thickener, and it’s the important thing to the gooey filling of a basic pecan pie or the chew of sure cookies like snickerdoodles or oatmeal cookies. Corn syrup provides a stunning sheen to confections like chocolate fudge. After all, it additionally provides sweetness, which is greater than welcome when baking desserts, pies, cookies, and all the pieces else in between. 

What’s high-fructose corn syrup?

The corn syrup that you simply purchase on the grocery retailer shouldn’t be high-fructose corn syrup. Whereas each are constructed from cornstarch, high-fructose corn syrup is ultra-processed. Cornstarch is transformed into sugar to make common corn syrup, however extra enzymes are then added. These enzymes flip among the primary glucose molecules into fructose and makes the product sweeter. 

Excessive-fructose corn syrup is discovered in lots of processed meals, like cereal, soda, and sweet, in addition to on fast-food menus. Nevertheless, it’s solely utilized by main meals and beverage producers, so that you received’t discover it within the baking aisle. 

What are you able to substitute for corn syrup?

You may substitute for corn syrup, however solely in recipes the place it serves as a main sweetener or is the important thing to improved texture. Swapping in different syrups, like golden syrup, maple syrup, or agave syrups, work effectively for baked items like cookies, desserts, and sheet pan treats like brownies or blondies. Nevertheless, these substitutes lack corn syrup’s means to forestall crystallization, a vital think about recipes like home made caramel or sweet. If crystallization prevention is crucial, it’s greatest to stay with corn syrup.