What Can I Use Instead Of Golden Syrup For The Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake?

Our answer

Nigella's Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake (from FEAST) has a chocolate sponge cake that is covered with a fudgy chocolate icing. A small amount of golden syrup is added to the icing to sweeten it and also to help the frosting to stay soft and to prevent it from forming a crust as the cake stands. You can omit the golden syrup if it is difficult to find, though the icing may dry out slightly on the surface if the cake is stored for more than a day.

Golden syrup is a by-product of making crystallized sugar (from sugar cane or beets) and is known as an invert sugar as it remains in liquid form. It is useful as it can help to prevent other sugary mixtures from crystallizing and also as it is hygroscopic it can help to keep baked goods moist. Glucose is made from starch but has similar properties to golden syrup. Agave syrup or nectar is also similar and made from the juice of agave plants. Agave has increased in popularity over the years, so you may find it in a local natural food, bio or organic store. All three are useful in baking as they are sweet but otherwise flavourless. Honey is a natural invert sugar but it has quite specific flavours, so although honey may be a possible alternative for golden syrup, you need to be mindful of the fact that it will affect the flavour of the cake or cookie and you should use the mildest honey that you can find. Golden syrup lasts quite a long time if stored in a cool, dry place, so if you get the opportunity to buy a bottle or can then it would be a useful addition to the store cupboard.