Homemade golden syrup on a vintage, gold charger plate.

How to Make A Simple Homemade Golden Syrup Recipe

Hello again! This week I thought I would try to squeeze in a mid-week post- on how to make my Golden Syrup recipe in your own kitchen(s). 

The children and I have started back to school this week, so while they have been working on some fun back-to-school activities, I thought I would grab a few minutes to make my own batch of Golden Syrup. 

As I have mentioned before, Golden Syrup is a common ingredient found on English grocery store shelves. It is used in many English baked treats (see my earliest Golden syrup recipe here featuring flapjacks) and desserts (also used in my treacle tart recipe and my pork and apple Cornish pasty recipe). Seeing as Golden Syrup is English… and not American, it is naturally a bit harder to source in America. Therefore, in the past, I have bought my Golden Syrup from the international section in Publix. However, I thought it would be a fun recipe to make myself- as I am often in the kitchen baking with my children.

If this sounds fun to you as well, you are welcome to join me for a mini lesson on how to make your own homemade Golden Syrup Recipe! 

So, without further ado, let’s get started then, shall we?!

A handwritten recipe for golden syrup alongside a vintage candlestick and a vintage pen set.
*Golden Syrup, a vintage golden candle, a golden pen set, and an unplanned golden ray shinning on the table in the background. How fitting for a Golden Syrup post.

~How to Use Three Ingredients to Make My Golden Syrup Recipe~

Golden Syrup can be made in your own kitchen- using only three ingredients! (Now that is my kind of a recipe!) 

This trio of simple ingredients are as follows: cane sugar (although other sugars can be supplemented), water, and fresh-squeezed lemon juice.

The cane sugar has a slight molasses flavor, which adds to the Golden Syrup’s warmth and caramel-like properties. Cane sugar is less refined than granulated sugar and it generally has more texture (which can be a nice addition to baked goods).

Lemon juice prevents the sugar from crystalizing, and it adds a subtle flavor, to the otherwise sweet syrup. Some recipes call for citric acid or a lemon slice as opposed to the lemon juice. I did a little of both (lemon juice and a lemon slice) as I think the lemon looks lovely bubbling about in the rolling, Golden Syrup.

Ingredients for golden syrup-laid out on a countertop.
*Golden Syrup recipe ingredients placed on the countertop for easy access.
Ingredients set out to make golden syrup.
A handwritten recipe for Golden Syrup
*Golden Syrup Recipe
Homemade golden syrup with a yellow, floral fabric topper for a jam lid.
Elizabeth

Simple Homemade Golden Syrup Recipe

Golden Syrup is a staple in England and is used in many baked goods. My simple homemade Golden Syrup recipe uses only three simple ingredients. This is a recipe you will want to try.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1 medium sized jar
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: English

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup Water
  • 2 1/4 cup Pure Cane Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice

Method
 

  1. Add water and cane sugar to a heavy bottomed saucepan. Stir to combine.
  2. Use medium low heat and allow the mixture to come to a slow boil.
  3. Add one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. (*Stir one time and then do not stir anymore.)
  4. Carefully observe the mixture as it simmers. The color of the syrup will gradually darken to a lovely golden hue.
  5. Keep the golden syrup mixture on low heat for approximately 10-15 minutes (without stirring).
  6. At this point the syrup will have thickened but will continue to thicken as the golden syrup cools.
  7. Allow the golden syrup to cool for a few minutes and then add to a heat-safe container with a lid.
  8. Enjoy in your baked goods or as a syrup drizzled over pancakes.

Notes

*This recipe must be closely monitored to avoid burning. The golden color, and the texture, is the key. If the Golden Syrup is too thick- a splash of water (while the syrup is still in the saucepan) may thin it out.
Lemon, lemon juice and flowers in a vintage basket with a vintage tea towel.
*A vintage basket from a thrift store makes the perfect place to showcase my Golden Syrup irecipe ngredients. Lovely little things.
Fresh squeezed lemon juice and a small vase of flowers.
*Note the cute glass mug. This was a gift my neighbor gave me. I was not sure how I would use this miniature mug, but then decided it was the perfect size for my fresh- squeezed lemon juice.
Golden syrup recipe simmering in a saucepan with a slice of lemon.
*Golden Syrup simmering away-gradually becoming darker in color as it cooks.
Golden syrup dripping off a spoon.
Thick, sticky syrup dripping off a spoon. So close to being ready to eat! A delicious treat!

~How to Make Jam Jar Lid Cover with Fabric!

As is evident by now, I like to make ordinary things look lovely. So, I imagine it comes as no surprise that I wanted to add a bit of flare to my Golden Syrup jar- by making a fun jam jar cover.

Enter the scraps of fabric from my last bunting flag project. The zesty yellows and golden tones remind me of the fragrant lemon in the Golden Syrup recipe.

Jam jar lid covers are a fun way to dress up an otherwise ordinary thing. Plus, it makes for a lovely gift. (See previous posts.)

This project can be done as a no sew project -using fabric glue- or it can be sewn on the sewing machine. Either way, by adding a bit of scrap fabric, ribbon (if you wish), and love- a charming topper can be created with very little skill or time. Now, that is my kind of project. It is also something that the children can help me make -another win, win in my book.

~How to Utilize Scrap Fabric to Make the Jam Lid Cover~

Fabric to make a fabric jam jar lid, topper decoration.
*Scraps of fabric from my last set of bunting flags made the perfect jam jar topper. I used a pot lid and a small bowl to create my pattern.
Sewing a fabric jam jar topper on the sewing machine.
*This is a primitive jam jar topper. I only sewed the two rounds together but did not hem the edges. I wanted it to have a slightly country-rustic look and feel.
Homemade golden syrup on a vintage, gold charger plate.
*A vintage golden charger seemed the perfect tray to place my homemade Golden Syrup on. Of course, I cannot forget to mention my trusty golden candlesticks that add a touch of elegance.
Homemade golden syrup with a yellow, floral fabric topper for a jam lid.
* After sewing the two fabric pieces together, I hand-drew a scallop on the bottom layer, and then cut it out to create a whimsical, more interesting finish.

~How to Incorporate a Godden Syrup Recipe into a Homeschool Lesson~

Golden Syrup is perhaps not the best recipe to have young children help with as it gets very hot and sticky. However, my children are always with me, so I wanted to have them involved in some way.

It occurred to me, that while the Golden Syrup was simmering away on the cooktop, I should ask the children to be very quiet and listen for a few seconds. “Shhh!”

Peace and quiet are a rare commodity around here- so I enjoyed the stillness for a moment, before posing a question to the three oldest children: “If you had to describe the sounds that the bubbling Golden Syrup is making as it cooks, which descriptive words would you use?”

After a moment of puzzled looks, I told them to say the word “onomatopoeia,” and I shared with them a story about my favorite high school teacher, teaching me this fun word. I then asked them again to describe what they heard using onomatopoeia words.

This is what they said: 

Child # 1:” I hear a “kkkkkk-crackle sound.”

Child #2: “I hear a pop-el, pop-el, pppp pop, pop, pop sound.”

Child#3: “I hear water bubbling like this: bubble, water, bubble, bubble, bubble.” 

~A Homeschool Discussion~

Asking young children their thoughts is a wonderful way to see inside their little brains. It gives insight into how those young brains see the world. What a fun, intelligent, creative, and imaginative place- the mind of a child is. 

(*For more homeschool lesson featuring discussion and observations check out my post on feeding the birds.)

I guess we really do eat with all our five senses.

~Look for the Golden Syrup Recipe in My Upcoming Post~

My homemade Golden Syrup recipe will be used in my next post-this Friday- so tune in to see how that recipe turns out.

I hope this simple Golden Syrup recipe proves both helpful and delicious to you all.

If stored properly, Golden Syrup has a long shelf life, so it is a “handy” to have on “hand.”

Next time, an English recipe calls for Golden Syrup… and you don’t want to make a special trip to the grocery store-try this homemade recipe instead. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Add your homemade Golden Syrup recipe to a slice of buttered toast or peanut butter toast (in leu of jelly or jam). Golden syrup is also lovely drizzled over waffles, pancakes, or used as a sweetener in baked goods.

The possibilities are endless- so get into the kitchen and give this recipe a try. 

Have you ever tried Golden Syrup in your recipes? If so let me know in the comments as I would love to hear from you!

~Final Thoughts on My Golden Syrup Recipe~

I hope you all enjoyed this short mid-week post featuring my Golden Syrup Recipe. Be sure to tune in again Friday, where I will reveal how… and where… I used the homemade Golden Syrup recipe in my upcoming recipe.

Until then, open your eyes… look for a golden sunset, or a golden sunrise, or at very least… a golden lining in a dark cloud.

See you Friday…but until then don’t forget to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a post. And for more ideas and inspirations check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for more recipes and inspirations.

~Elizabeth~

A yellow rose
*Let's end on a golden note: a golden rose in all its splendor!

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