What can I substitute for treacle?
Running low on treacle? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About treacle
Treacle is a thick, dark syrup produced as a by-product of sugar refining, with a robust, slightly bitter, and distinctly molasses-like flavour. It is most commonly used in British and Australian baking to add deep colour, moisture, and a rich, complex sweetness to cakes, biscuits, puddings, and breads. Black treacle is the darkest and most intensely flavoured variety, while golden syrup is a lighter, sweeter relative often considered a separate product.
Best substitute
Molasses
Blackstrap or dark molasses is the closest equivalent to black treacle, sharing the same bitter-sweet, robust flavour profile and dark colour. It is the same class of by-product from sugar refining and performs identically in baking applications.
Use 1 tbsp for every 1 tbsp of treacle
bakingmarinadespuddingssauces
Alternative
Dark muscovado sugar (dissolved)
Dark muscovado sugar has a very high molasses content and delivers a comparable deep, toffee-like bitterness. Dissolve it in a small amount of warm water to create a syrup before using as a treacle substitute.
Use 1 tbsp dissolved in 1 tsp warm water for every 1 tbsp of treacle
bakingpuddingsglazesNot suitable for: thin sauces
Alternative
Golden syrup
Golden syrup is a lighter, sweeter, and less bitter form of treacle and works well as a substitute when a milder flavour is acceptable. The resulting bake will be lighter in colour and flavour, lacking the deep, slightly bitter edge of black treacle.
Use 1 tbsp for every 1 tbsp of treacle — expect a lighter colour and sweeter flavour
What is treacle called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | treacle |
| Canada | fancy molasses / blackstrap molasses |
| New Zealand | treacle |
| United Kingdom | black treacle |
| United States | molasses |
Common names for treacle
black treacledark treaclemolassescane treacle