What can I substitute for coconut sugar?
Running low on coconut sugar? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About coconut sugar
Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener made from the sap of coconut palm blossoms, which is collected, heated, and dehydrated into granules or blocks. It has a rich, caramel-like flavour with subtle butterscotch notes, making it a popular alternative to refined white sugar. Unlike white sugar, it retains trace minerals and has a lower glycaemic index, though it behaves similarly in most cooking and baking applications.
Best substitute
brown sugar
Brown sugar is the closest match to coconut sugar in flavour and texture, sharing caramel and molasses notes that make it nearly interchangeable in most recipes. It dissolves and caramelises in a very similar way, so no adjustments are typically needed.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of coconut sugar
bakingsaucesmarinadesbeverages
Alternative
rapadura sugar
Rapadura is an unrefined whole cane sugar with a deep, molasses-rich flavour that closely mirrors the complexity of coconut sugar. It is minimally processed and retains its natural mineral content, making it a good like-for-like swap in both flavour and nutritional intent.
Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of coconut sugar
bakingraw dessertsbeveragessauces
Alternative
maple syrup
Maple syrup provides a similar depth of flavour with warm, caramel-like undertones, though it adds extra liquid to a recipe. Reduce other liquids in the recipe by about 3 tablespoons per ¾ cup of maple syrup used, and consider reducing oven temperature slightly to prevent over-browning.
Use ¾ cup for every 1 cup of coconut sugar — reduce other liquids by 3 tbsp
What is coconut sugar called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | coconut sugar |
| New Zealand | coconut sugar |
| United Kingdom | coconut sugar |
| United States | coconut palm sugar |
Common names for coconut sugar
coconut palm sugarcoco sugarpalm sugargula kelapa