Waiting for pancakes to be cooked and served is exciting, but deciding which sweet, sticky topping to use is delightful. The years of grocery store corn syrup “syrups” have evolved to open up the possibilities for more natural and just as delicious alternatives. So, let’s look and see if honey or syrup is better on your pancakes.
Let Go of the Old Syrup
There’s no argument that the old syrups most grew up with are sweet. For some, they’re almost too sweet. Good thing there are more options today.
Generally, syrup isn’t genuine “syrup” (therefore different from maple syrup). Instead, it’s imitation syrup, mostly made from corn syrup and other artificial ingredients. Corn syrup alone can lead to all kinds of health problems, from diabetes to fatty liver disease, according to The Cleveland Clinic.
Honey vs. Maple Syrup
The most apparent difference between these two toppings is their very different flavor profiles. While they are both sweet, They have different undertones that can be used to describe them, depending on where they were sourced.
Honey can be described as sweet with notes of:
- Floral
- Nutty
- Smoky
- Fruity
- Woody
- Earthy
Sometimes it can be compared to familiar flavors like molasses, vanilla, or caramel. But no matter how it tastes, many people consider it delicious!
Maple syrup can be described as sweet with notes of:
- Vanilla
- Dried plums
- Caramel
The color of the syrup can affect the taste, with light syrup considered more buttery than darker syrup. Maple syrup is regarded as the original pancake topping, making it a favorite of many family generations.
Why Choose Honey?
The most obvious answer would be that honey tastes good! It also brings depth to the flavor of pancakes, and it has a lot of health benefits. Let’s take a look at what the Mayo Clinic has to say about honey:
- Honey has antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- It helps soothe gastrointestinal issues, including gastroenteritis. It also coats the mouth, giving a person with oral dryness some relief.
- Honey, used with citrus or eucalyptus, can act as a cough suppressant. This can help restore uninterrupted sleep patterns without the urge to cough.
- Studies have suggested that honey can help with depression, anxiety, and memory disorders.
- Honey has been proven to be a great salve to help heal wounds.
Of course, if you’re interested in honey’s potential health benefits, you must consult your doctor to see if honey is right for you and your health concerns.
Why Choose Maple Syrup?
You’ll want maple syrup if you want to add vitamins and minerals to your diet while eating your pancakes. Speare Hospital in New Hampshire says that maple syrup is:
Nutritious when consumed in moderation.
Maple syrup has vitamins B2, B5, B6, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, and magnesium.
This syrup has the same amount of calcium as whole milk.
It has polyphenols, which is another way of saying that it has antioxidants, which can help protect the body’s tissues. They also can assist in blocking the growth of cancer cells.
Maple syrup is also being studied for its ability to help prevent heart disease.
The Cleveland Clinic recently wrote about maple water, a pasteurized version of the syrup. It’s said to be loaded with electrolytes, which help your body keep going throughout your day. All in all, maple syrup has the potential to do a lot of good for just about anyone.
Before you saturate your pancakes in maple syrup, discussing the health benefits you’re hoping for from the sticky treat with a doctor is always a good idea. If you have any health problems, including diabetes, maple syrup may not be an option.
Is Honey or Syrup Better on Pancakes?
When you consider the health benefits of each sticky treat, you might find that you’re leaning towards one over the other. So, here’s one more thing to consider before you drizzle your choice on your cakes.
Honey is higher in sugar and carbohydrates than maple syrup. So, you’ll consume more calories per tablespoon if you go with honey. It might not be a big deal for some people, but you will want to discuss both choices with your doctor if you have diabetes.
Making Box Pancakes Better
Boxed pancake mixes make life much easier, especially when you’re short on time. When you have a pantry full of The Great American Pancake Company mixes, you’ll always have the best ingredients to make whatever flavor you choose taste like you spent a long time whipping them up. Even if you buy Cinnamon, Gingerbread, 5-Grain, or Celebration pancake and waffle mixes, you can still upgrade them occasionally.
First, you should decide if you will use honey, maple syrup, or anything else on them. If you do, you’ll want to add things that complement or enhance your chosen syrup.
Next, it’s time to decide what you want to add, from toppings to stir-in options.
Take your honey to the next level by creating honey-butter syrup.
Top with fresh fruit.
Add agave syrup if you’re looking for something like honey but sweeter.
If you have jelly, jams, or fruit compote, these make great toppings in addition to either honey or maple syrup.
Whether making pancakes from a recipe or mix, you can add or top your cakes with chocolate chips.
With honey on pancakes, Greek yogurt, regular yogurt, or sour cream are fantastic choices.
If your syrup isn’t sweet enough, sprinkle your cakes with powdered sugar.
Nuts bring out the flavors in either syrup and add a unique texture to your pancakes when you eat them. Take it to another level and toast those nuts before adding them!
Sauces like caramel, hot chocolate, or peanut butter bring even more sweetness.
If you haven’t had whipped cream on your pancakes, you must do so as soon as possible. The lightly sweet, rich dairy whip taste works excellent with or without a sweet syrup.
This is a small selection of some of the most-enjoyed toppings people like to add to their pancakes. If you want to get adventurous, try what other people use as toppings or mix-ins. It’s possible to try something new with your pancakes every weekend for a long time!
Pancakes Work with Both Maple Syrup and Honey
Choosing maple syrup or honey can boil down to the taste. Of course, the health benefits should be part of the consideration, but it won’t matter if you don’t like the taste of one over the other.
You should also have the best pancake mixes on hand when you want to whip up some fantastic pancakes. So get some at The Great American Pancake Company and stock up your pantry. You can also pick up some of their maple syrup while you’re at it! Shop online today for our pancake mixes today!
