Homemade Pancake Syrup

If you can’t get your hands on real maple syrup, your next best bet is this thick and sweet homemade pancake syrup. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients (basically, it’s fancy sugar water) that, when cooked down, turn into a thick, sweet pancake syrup. It’s divine poured over a stack of steamy hot pancakes, dripping down over a bowl of ice cream or drizzled over warm apple pie. It’s so good that you might just reach for it even if you do have the real deal.

Ingredients for Homemade Pancake Syrup

• Brown sugar: This is where that nice, caramelly-rich flavor comes from. Make sure to pack it in the cup well—you don’t want to skimp here.
• Sugar: Opt for regular granulated cane sugar, so as not to compete with the brown sugar or maple flavoring.
• Water and maple flavoring: These two key ingredients will cook down, creating a thick maple-infused syrup.

Directions

Step 1: Cook down the sugar

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In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugars and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cook and stir it for two minutes.

Step 2: Add the maple flavoring

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Remove it from the heat, then stir in the maple flavoring.

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Homemade Pancake Syrup Variations

• Add berries: If you love berries poured over your pancakes, consider adding fresh or frozen berries of your choice (blueberries work exceptionally well here) to the sauce as it’s cooking down. You’ll need to add extra water too, but just enough to cover the berries. Additionally, you’ll need to boil the syrup down for just a couple minutes longer, or until the desired syrup consistency has been reached.
• Swap out the maple flavoring: This will decidedly not be a homemade maple syrup, but if you want a different flavor profile you can swap it out for an extract of your choice. Vanilla, almond, cherry or even orange will all result in a sweet, thick syrup that’s delicious when poured over your favorite breakfast stack.

How to Store Homemade Pancake Syrup

Pour any leftovers into a glass jar with a secure lid and pop it in the fridge until next time.

How long does homemade syrup for pancakes last?

As long as it’s properly stored, this pancake syrup will last for about a month. Due to the high sugar content and the low moisture present, it’s difficult for bacteria to grow. Because of this, it’s actually fine to keep it around for much longer than a month, so long as you keep an eye on the jar for growth or changes in consistency.

Homemade Pancake Syrup Tips

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How do you tell if the syrup has gone bad?

Because syrup can be stored for so long, it’s sometimes tricky to tell if it has gone bad. Your best bet is to smell it. If it smells fruity or floral, it may have started to ferment. A taste test might result in an alcohol-like flavor, also letting you know that it has begun to ferment. And if you see any mold, that’s a definite sign that it’s time to toss it.

How can I store a large amount of syrup?

If you want to double or triple this recipe, your best bet for storage is a large glass container with a lid that can be securely tightened. This works to keep the moisture out too, resulting in a longer storage time.

What should I serve with homemade pancake syrup?

It’s in the name, so it goes without saying: pancakes. A warm mountain of buttermilk pancakes is the perfect complement to this homemade pancake syrup. Other favorites include French toast, homemade granola and yogurt, and even a light drizzle over the top of berries and freshly made scones.

What is the best pancake syrup?

Pancake syrup is a must-have for a pancake breakfast. It needs to be slightly sweet, easy to pour and have a great maple flavor. Learn the difference between pancake and maple syrup.

Is there a healthy pancake syrup alternative?

Although pure maple syrup has a good amount of natural sugar, it contains several antioxidants and contains minimal additives. Opt for this option over processed pancake syrup. Or, try topping your pancakes with fresh fruit jam, cut fruit, melted peanut butter or any of these pancake toppings instead.

How can I amp up pancake syrup?

Maple and bourbon are a common flavor mashup. Add 2 teaspoons of bourbon to the syrup for a slightly less sweet (and boozy) surprise! Be sure to try out these unique pancake syrup flavors too.