Golden caster sugar is a popular baking ingredient, mostly preferred over conventional due to its molasses content and pleasant caramel flavor. Also, because it rapidly dissolves, it is a choice baking ingredient in loads of desserts and various baked treats.
If, however, you’re halfway through making one of your favorite recipes and find you’ve run out of golden caster sugar, our suggested options should provide a quick solution. The sort of sugar you choose to use as a substitute should be determined by the meal you’re attempting to prepare, as some are better suited to substitutions than others.
Find out more about golden caster sugar and what can be used in its absence for the best possible results. Also, find out how to incorporate these substitutes into your recipes to achieve the desired effects.
Sugar Nutrition Facts
What is Golden Caster Sugar?
Golden caster sugar is refined with a loosely packed sandy texture and a warm, golden color. It has a similar color and texture to regular caster sugar, but it has a stronger caramel flavor because it’s unprocessed. It, however, melts rapidly and still functions quite similarly to conventional caster sugar.
The presence or absence of molasses distinguishes between golden caster sugar and plain caster sugar. The molasses in regular caster sugar has been removed, giving it a white color and a pure sugary flavor. It gives crisp baking outcomes and is the simplest to work with when heated.
Golden caster sugar is less refined than regular caster sugar, but because their grain size and texture are identical, they can be utilized interchangeably in nearly any situation. Brown sugar and golden caster sugar have certain similarities, and they’re both ‘unrefined’ or less refined sugars with a molasses content that gives them a caramel-like color and flavor.
Golden caster sugar is ideal for baking and, in most situations, produces the same results as conventional white caster sugar. It is perfect for creamed sponge cakes and other delicious baked treats.
Uses of Golden Caster Sugar in Recipes
Golden caster sugar dissolves and incorporates more quickly than granulated sugar, making it ideal for light and airy sweets like meringues and souffles. Because it doesn’t require heat to dissolve, it’s frequently used to sweeten liquids. However, golden caster sugar can be used in practically any way that granulated sugar can be employed in recipes.
Examples of recipes in which golden caster sugar is commonly used include the following:
- Golden sponge cake
- Classic sponge sandwich
- Blueberry muffins
- Golden carrot cake
- Caramel cupcakes
- American pancakes
- Easy banana bread
- Apple doughnut muffins
- Meringue
- Strawberry pavlova
- Lemon posset
- Banana cake
- Shortbread
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Coffee and walnut cake
- Salted caramel sauce
Substitutes for Golden Caster Sugar
As you may know, golden caster sugar is a super-fine type of sugar widely used in baking procedures. It may completely dissolve into your dessert without leaving a gritty texture like other sugars.
Golden caster sugar is popular for its rapid dissolution and awesome caramel flavor, ideal for baking. In its absence, however, other alternatives can work in its place. There are a variety of replacements for golden caster sugar, just like there are for many other sorts of culinary ingredients.
Consider the following options:
Brown Sugar
You should be able to get away with using brown sugar instead of golden caster sugar if you’re trying your hand at baking a cake without it. Brown sugar and golden caster sugar have similar molasses content and caramel flavors, and as such, brown sugar is a good replacement option. However, this will not affect the taste of the cake and should not have a significant impact on the final result.
This is one of the most suitable sugar replacement options for golden caster sugar, and it’ll help you obtain some excellent results that aren’t too dissimilar to what you’d get with regular golden caster sugar.
Granulated Sugar
The outcome of using granulated sugar will vary depending on what you’re trying to accomplish in your recipe. For example, if you’re baking a cake or cookies, you can use granulated sugar instead of golden caster sugar.
You should, however, be aware that granulated sugar has larger crystals, which may result in a grainier texture. This gritty texture will be noticeable in more delicate sweets that require more care, such as meringue or mousse. You should use nothing but caster sugar in these recipes if you want the best results.
Honey and Syrup
If you require golden caster sugar for recipes such as puddings and pies, you can use honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup in its place. These substitution options should work fine to give good enough results in your recipes.
A high-quality brand of honey may be used in place of golden caster sugar in some recipes, but this would be best for liquid desserts rather than solid desserts like cakes. This is because it will most likely make your cake or biscuits extremely moist and chewy. The color of the baked goods will also be affected by the honey content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use Demerara sugar instead of caster sugar?
Demerara and Turbinado Sugar are similar to golden caster sugar in color and flavor, but they contain significantly larger crystals. Process demerara or turbinado sugar in a food processor or blender to substitute for golden caster sugar in baked products.
Can you use Demerara sugar for cakes?
This raw cane sugar is unprocessed and has huge toffee-colored crystals. They are usually used to add texture to cakes, such as a streusel top, a crumble, or a crunchy topping for biscuits.
Can I use soft brown sugar instead of golden caster?
Bicarbonate of soda is often called for in recipes that call for golden caster sugar, and it can be replaced with soft, light brown sugar, depending on the recipe you’re using. For example, if you’re making a chocolate cake, you can substitute light brown sugar.
Conclusion
The next time you are working on a recipe that requires the use of golden caster sugar, and you run out in the middle of your cooking, there’s no need to worry. Our suggested options will work fine in their place, depending on why you need golden caster sugar in the first place.
Ensure to use these substitutes in recipes with which they will be more compatible for the best possible results.