Simple Syrup for Cakes, Coffee, and Cocktails
Simple syrup is a mixture of sugar and water that have been boiled together. This sweet mixture can be used to sweeten coffee drinks or cocktails, it is also commonly used to keep cakes moist and to candy citrus peels. Simple syrup is a standard component in a baker or cook’s arsenal. Pin it for Later »
What is Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is a versatile component to have handy in the kitchen. It is a mixture of water and sugar that is boiled together so that the sugar completely dissolves into the mixture, creating a clear, smooth, and sweet syrup.
What is Simple Syrup Used For?
Simple syrup desirable when sweetening coffee drinks or cocktails because it will not leave gritty sugar bits in the beverage. Simple syrup is also handy in a baker’s kitchen. It is frequently brushed or drizzled on cakes to keep them moist and can also be used to candy fruit peels.
Simple Syrup Ratios
Simple syrup thickness can vary based on the ratio of sugar to water used. The most common ratio for simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar. This is sometimes referred to as heavy syrup because it is moderately thick. A higher ratio of water can be used for a more thin and less sweet syrup.
How to Make Simple Syrup
To make simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to moisten the sugar completely.
Bring the mixture to a boil and let cook for about 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
The simple syrup can be stored the refrigerator technically indefinitely. However, I like to make a quantity that I can use within several months.
How to Use Simple Syrup
Once the simple syrup is cooled you can stir it into coffee drinks or cocktails. If you want to use it to moisten cakes, you can transfer it into a squeeze bottle or use a pastry brush to brush the syrup over the cake. This keeps cakes very moist for a long time. You want to be careful not to soak the cake very much or it will become soggy.
How to Flavor Simple Syrup
If you want to flavor or infuse your simple syrup you can do so easily! Stir in a bit of a flavored liquor or extract once the mixture has cooled. This doesn’t need to be precise! Just add until it tastes the way you like!
If you want to infuse your syrup with citrus or herbs or spices you can add them in once you take the mixture off the heat and let it steep for a few hours while the mixture cools, then strain. Lemon or orange rind work well as well as fresh herbs like mint, basil, thyme, and rosemary!
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Simple Syrup for Cakes, Coffee, and Cocktails
Simple syrup is a mixture of sugar and water that have been boiled together. This sweet mixture can be used to sweeten coffee drinks or cocktails, it is also commonly used to keep cakes moist and to candy citrus peels. Simple syrup is a standard component in a baker or cook's arsenal.
Ingredients
- 1 part granulated sugar
- 1 part water
Instructions
- Combine equal parts granulated sugar and water by volume in a saucepan. (For example: 1 cup sugar and 1 cup of water)
- Stir the mixture together to saturate the sugar and turn on the burner to medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- When the mixture begins to boil, stir it one more time to ensure the sugar is completely saturated. Allow to boil for 3 minutes without stirring further.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.
- Simple syrup can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator, however I suggest using it within 6 months.
- If you would like to infuse your syrup with herbs, citrus peel, or spices, add them once the syrup is removed from the heat. Allow to steep for several hours before straining and storing. Ingredients that would work well for infusing include orange peel, lemon peel, lime peel, fresh basil, mint, thyme, or rosemary, cinnamon sicks, coffee beans, and vanilla bean.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0
2 Comments on “Simple Syrup for Cakes, Coffee, and Cocktails”
I make simple syrup weekly for Michael’s homemade cold brew lol!
Now that’s a sweet wife!